Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1862-01-09
getecteh Miscellang.
LIFE AS IT Is.
EY DAISY HOWARD,

In one of the principal streets of great
city stood large boarding house, whose
white marble front and general air bespoke
the aristocracy of its inmates. One could
tell it was a boarding house. from the many
faces-fair and plain-sitting at or near the
windows. It was five o'clock-the fashion
able dinner-hour. Already the public draw
-ipg-rooms and handsome private parlors
1ele 1l!e1 VIZ; j 5yosltli ana beaut n one.
bcvy of fair women were grouped together,
talking rapidly and excitedly.
II tell you, it is mighty strange. Jane
saw him come out of her room twice to-day;
and last night. after the Southern train came
in, at one o'clock, he went straight to her
room"
''Are you sure you can rely on James
word, Clara? / am sure l should not trust
my maid in similar case. They are all
fond of the marvellous"
'.You are really complimentary, Miss
Bradley If you keep servants whose word
you cannot trust, do not"
1.-THE halls are dimly lighted at that
hour" said another kindly voice perhaps
it was Mr.. Leeds she saw"
''No-Mr. Leeds has dark hair and eyes
This man had fair hair and blue eyes-real
aristoeratic-looking Jane said"
''For PHYS sake, do let that poor Mrs
Leeds alone OF course, it was some rela-
tive, or he would not be going to wake her
up at that time of night AS for being in
her room in the daytime. that is nothing
strange-if he had gone thirty times AT
a hotel one's room is onn's home and who
wants to run to the drawing rooms to see
every one that calls %
swell. agree with Clara Wilbur" said
another voice. do not think we should
notice Mrs. Leeds any more | shan't for
one. She is too secretive and mysterious. y
Il shan't notice her, either
''Nor I-nor l." said one and another.
''Well, ladies, [ am very sorry for the
course you have taken-for my part, con
denim it. cannot blame Mrs Leeds, il
she is not disposed to be communicative re-
garding her family affairs I believe she
has some sorrow that we do not know Of
am interested in her-her pale, sweet face
touches me. |, for one, shall treat her po-
litely-having seen nothing to cause me
to do otherwise. We, none of us. have
more than speaking acquaintance with her,
at any rate. It is not at all likely she would
confde her troubles, or the motives for her
actions, to almost Strangers and the lady
passed into an adjoining room.
.'siear me! how Independent we are !! It
seems to me. Mary Bradley plumes herself
q great deal upon her wealth .
80 Clara how can you say SO 2" said the
kindly voice before mentioned "Mary has
less pride, and cares less for money. than
any one of US"
.'Well,; she needn't be SO wonderful
straight-laced-but, girls. there comes Gen
eral Lane. Let us getup our very prettiest
smiles"
A tall, noble form, in full regimentals-
chapean, sash, epaulettes, etc.-entered the
room. He was handsome man of fifty
dark-eyed and olive -skinned-the beau of
the house. Though fifty years had passed
over his head, his lofty form was yet unbent,
and his heart as young as it was twenty
years ago. He was noble specimen of
manhood; and, notwithstanding his half
century, not one of the fair beauties around
him would have refused him her "lillv
hand;" for was he not handsome and veal
thy? An1, although he had seen many a
bloody field, his deep voice was almost gen
tie. aud an almost womanly tenderness
brooded in his eyes. As he approached the
ladies, he said;