Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-10-04
have neither fancy nor nerves for this kind OIL

l have neither fancy nor nerves for this kind o
thing.
swell, granting, then, that you can do nothing
for your fellow-creatures unless you are to do II
in the most genteel, comfortable and picturesque
manner possible, is there not great field for {
woman like you, Florence, in your influence
over your associates With your talents fol
conversation, your tact and self possession, apt
lady like gift Of saying anything you choose, are
you not responsible, in some wise, for the in
fuence you exert over those by whom you art
surrounded2"
81 never thought of it," replied Florence.
"Now, you remember the remarks that Mr.
Fortesqe made the other evening, on the re-
ligious services at church,"
"Yes do; and thought then he was too
bad"
"And do not suppose there was one of you
ladies in the room that did nor think 30 too
but yet the matter was all passed over with
smiles, and with not single nsinuation that
he had said anything unpleasing or disagree
ablen
swell, what could we doa One,does not
want to be rude, you know"
"Do!-could you not, Florence, you who have
always taken the lead in society, and. who have
been noted for always being able to say and do
as you please yon not have shown him
that those remarks were unpleasing to you, as
decidedly as you certainly would have done il
they had related to the character of your father
or brother9 To my mind, q woman of true
moral feeling shonld feel herself as much insult.
ed when her religion is treated with contempt
as if the contempt were shown to herself. Do
you not know the power which is given to you
women to awe and restrain us in your presence,
and to guard the sacredness OF things which you
treat as holy2 Believe me, Florence, that For
tesque infdel as he is, would reverence woman
with whom be dared not trihe on sacred SUBJ
jects."
Florence rose from her seat with height
ened color, her dark eyes Frightening through
| teaIs.
II am sure what you say is just cousin, and
vet have never thought of it before. l will
| am determined to begin, after this, to live with
some better purpose than have done."
"And let me Tell you, Florence, in starting q
new course, as in earning to walk, taking the
first stepis everything. Now, | have first
step to propose to you"
swell, cousin"
"Well, you know, suppose, that among your
train of adorers you number Colonel Elliott"
Florence smiled.
s'And perhaps you do not know, what is GER
tainly true, that among the most discerning and
cool part of his friends, Elliot is considered as
lost man."
"Good heavens Edward what do you mean ~
'Simply this, that with all his brilliant tai
ents, his amisble and generous feelings, and his
success in society, Elliot has not self O.
nough to prevent his becoming confirmed in in
temperate habits"
j ii never dreamed of this" replied Florence.
81 knew that he was spirited and free, fond OF
society, and exctable, but never suspected any
thing beyond"
''Elliot has tact enough not to appear in la
dies society when he is not in fit state tOr it,
replied Edward "but yet it is So"
"And is he really so bada"
"He stands just on the verge, Florence-jus:
where word fifty spoken might turn him. de
is O noble creature, full of all sorts OF fine i'm
pulses and feelings, the only son OF mother
II who doats on him, the idolizsd brother OF sis
ters who love him as you love your brothers,
Florence and he stands where word, a look
so they be of the right kind-might save him."
Sand why, then, do you not speak to him y
said Florence.
.3ecause am not the best person, Florence
There is another who could do 1t better-one
whom he admires, who stands in position
which would forbid his feeling angry-s per-
son, cousin, whom have heard in gayer mo-
ments say, that she knew how to say anything
she pleased, without offending any body"
70, Edward p said Florence, coloring, "do moi
bring up my foolish speeches against me-and
do not speak as if l ought to interfere in this
matter, for indeed | caunot do it. could never
in the world am certain | could not"
i "And So" said Edward, "you, whom have
Laord COW s,> ,pony thnn, which No one else
could say or dared to say, you, who have gone
on with such laughing assurance in your owr
powers of pleasing, shrink from trying that pow
!, er when noble and generous heart might be
saved by it. You have been willing to venture
a great deal for the sake of amusing yourself aDc
winning admiration, but you dare not say wore
for any high or noble purpose. Do you not SET
how you confirm what | said Of the selhshness
you womenS"
! "But you must remember, Edward, this Is
matter of great deicacy."
t "That word delicacy is o charming cover:ali
in all these cases, Florence. Now, here IS a hne
noble-spirited young mn, away from his mothe
and sisters, away from any family friend wh'
might care for him, tempted, betrayed, almost u
ruin, and few words from You, SAID as wo
man knows how to say them, might be his sal
!, vation. But you will look coolly on and see hin
: 20 to destruction, because you have too mucl
! delicacy to make the effort, like the man tha
would not help his neighbor out OF the waite
because he had never had the honor OF an intro
duction 10 him."
''But, Edward, consider how peculiarly fastid
} ious Elliot is-how jealous OF any attempt to re
strain and guide him."
'And Just for that reason it is that no man Q
his ACQUAINTANCE can do anything with him.
But what are you women made Win 50 muc
tact and power of charming for ii 1t is not 10 a.
these very things that We nl, N cannot 90 IL
delicate matter-true; anu has mol neaVe
given TO you fine touch and lice eye ior JUS
such delicate matters2 Have you uot seeh'
thousand times, that what might be resehted' d
an impert!nent interference on the part OF q man
comes to US as fattering expression OF interest,"
from the lips of a woman {"
swell, but, cousin, what would you have N
do-how would you have me do it2" said Flcr
ence, earnestly.
"You know that Fashion, who makes so man
wrong turns, and so many absurd ones, has
last made one right one, aud it is now fashion
} able thing to sign the temperance pledge. Ell
OF himself would be glad to do itbut lie foolishl.
committed himself against it, in the outset, ant
now feels bound to stand to his opinion. ID
has, too, been rather rudely assailed by some
the apostles of the new state of things, who on
not understand the peculiar points of his charac
ter; in short, am afraid that lie will feel boun'
to 20 to destruction for the sake OF supporting
his own opinion. Now, if should undertak
with him, he might offer to shoot ne; but
hardly think there is anything of the sort to D.
apprehended in your case. just try your Oh
chantments; you have bewitched wise men Int
doing silly things before now try, now, II yo
can't bewitch foolish man into doing WIS
thing"
Florence smiled archly, but instantly grew
| rnar thnno obttnl