Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1862-06-14


low her. Toward all persons who ranked
in the same grade with her husband, Mrs.
D--assumed an cir of dignified supe.
riority that'offended some and imposed upon
others. Assumption always carries weight
with a class. Her poverty before mar.
riage-fUr the family had about exhausted
itself by extravagence, dissipation, and
want of thrft--had separated her from
many early friends and her marriage with
the son of mechanic, though strong,
true aud rising man, had caused others to
drop an acquaintance which had not for
some time been looked upon as desira
| BILE
For several years after her marriage,
Mrs. D., whose husband could not Of
ford display in living, found it hard work
to maintain her standing with any portion
of proud exclusives with whom it was her
proud ambition TO associate. Still she was
ever at the gate, gliding in upon accessible
occasions, and holding place by intrusion.
if not by Acknowledged right BY fattcry
she kept in favor with some aud through
them drew to the side of Others, whose
repellant coldness would have held sensi
tive and truly independent mind far in the
distance.
Such was Mrs. D--.As her husbands
means increased she presented him closely
for a more liberal diSpensation thereof at
home. TO this he yielded, even byond his
own judgment but never to al extent that
touched his safety. She dressed eXtraya-
gantly, but lie saw that her bills did not
exceed certain sum that could be afford
Il MI nf
and assumed Importance, Mrs. D--widen'
ed her sphere among the exclusives, and in
corresponding degree drew of from certain
excellent people, held as inferior, who had
rather tolerated than enjoyed her society.
Thus it stands with Mrs. Dat this
presented writing To sum up IN IA sen
tence, she is weak, badly educated, proud,
vain, unreGned the representatve OF a
class of women who imagine themselves
vastly superior TO other people, but who
have scarcely claim to true womnnhooG-
who call themselves ladies' par excellence, yet
have scarcely lady-ke quality.
Mr.. D, on the contrary, is a man
ia the true sense. Honorable, brave, enough
to be independent and outSpoken in the
face even of public opinion, and with sut-
ficient force of character to mlintain him
self in any right action, at home or abroad.
His wife had learned not only to respect
him, but to stand aside when he assert ed
his will.
To certain women in B Blltimora, belong
ing to this equivocal class, new excite
men offered itself in the presence Ut the
United States soldiers, who did the good
work of saving that city from selfdcsruct'
ion, as we save a madman by CLAIMS
Treason foiled was spenetic in its impo-
tenee. Prud ence sealed the lips aud re-
gulated the public conduct of large num-
bers of men whose hearts beat pulse with
the open enemies of their country, and
who in all possible ways, gave them aid
aud comfort but women could venture upon
larger liberty, and to their credit must it
be recorded, that some who dressed In sl!Es
and gay attire wore gold diamonds, rode
in splendid carriages, and claimed to be
ladies Of the first water, stopped to acts OF
coarseness aud vulgarity that would shame
make woman. Unprovcked insults
were offered to officers and soldiers in the
streets by these woman, who even spat upon
them in many instances, thus showing the
deprived quality Of their mind Foremost
in the practice of these indigniies, was
Mrs D--who was encouraged 10y the
class among whom she visited.
One day, fred by the almost insane
malice of half dozen free talking women
with whom she had been in conference, Mrs
D., in comdany with friend, started
forth to enjoy the pain of soldiers and officers
subjected to wanfon insults, which, because
offered by women, they could not resent.
Passing soldier, Mrs. D-purpOsely
dropped her lacebordered hankerchef The
soldier, uRder the impulse of pOliteuess,-
at home he moved in quite as good, and
certainly d more cultivated society than
the laday-stepped forward, and lifting the
the handkerchief from the pavement; offered
it to Mrs. D. There was all instant
fash of contempt on her face, and stong
upward curl OF her lip She drew herself
back for moment, like one in surprise at
a rudeness, then taking the handkerchief
between the tips oil her thumb and finger,
she held it far from her, like something in
fected, and, moving to the curbStone, drop.
ped it in the muddy gutter Not deigning
| to glance back ct the sSOleier, she swept
away with an air of digni6ed hauteF that,
to he mind was worthy of q princess. A
ieerin laugh from some vulgar fellow added
TO the soldiers momentary feeling of dis
comhture,
Proud of her shame, Mrs. D--swept
down the street. In the next block she
encountered an officer. Throwing upon
him look of supreme contempt, Mrs
D-swerved from the right line of her
course and avoided him by taking quic k
circle, that brought her crowded up against
a merchants show window.
One of your vile women in gala dress,
remarked the officer to a loyal citizen with
whom he was walking.
No she is the wife OF a Baltimore me--
chant, was repied-a Mrs. D.
Formerly a servent maid, or weman OF
the lower class, judging from her man
ners.
No Mrs. DIS from one of our best
families.
Heaven save the mark calculated the
officer. If she represents the best, OF what
style aud unality must yOur worst be p