Maryland free press., 1867-04-25
VOLUME T.

naruly uare TRUST nerSeit 10 speak OF one
who, only of all his sex she had ever seen,
Realized all her conceptions of the digni-
ty of human nature. Wilmot remained
all the evening at Mrs. Spencer's and his
opinions Of the family can be gathered
from the following letter, which, on his
return to his lodgings, he addressed to his
friend, Col. Liston: ~
i My Dear Liston-I cannot sleep, and
there is no one here with whom can con-
verse so freely as with you. Therefore I
have. concluded to ''bestow my tedious
fness" upon you. oh, Liston, 1 verify be-
lieve 7 have met my fate in the shape of
an angel! You know have always ridi-
culed the idea of love at first sight, but
who can control their destiny? have this
evening seen creature so surprisingly
lovely that if her mind corresponds with
her person, and if shc will look with an
eye of favor upon your friend, he will for
swear ambition and devote his whole fu-
ture life to love and happiness But I
will endeavour to give you methodical
account of my introduction to the beauti-
full being who has we'll nigh bewitched me.
You remember Henry Spencer, the clever
youth who visited Washington last winter,
and with whom We were both so much
pleased? Well, he lives here, and he met
me Immediately on my arrival, and invited
me to pass the evening with his mother
and sister. He pressed the invitation so
earnestly, that could not decline it. and
though somewhat fatigued, after spending
an hour with dear Julia, I repaired to
Mrs Spenccr's moro indeed with a view
to crafty Henry than with any expccta-
tion of pleasure to myself. l had not,
however, been in the house ten minutes
before my fatigue was forgotten, and re-
membered only that was in the society
of the most beautiful creature have ever
seen. Mary Spencer cannot be more than
seventeen, for she has all the brilliant
bloom of extreme youth, yet there is in
her department all the dignity which ibe-
longs to more mature years. But can
not describe her. Some day, perhaps,
you will then own that if your friend has
lost his reason, he has, at heart, a fair ex-
cuse for his folly. Mrs. Spencer, the
mother of Mary, is fine, respectable look
ing old lady, and there is pretty looking
girl, relation of the family, I presume,
whose dark gray eye, and pale high fore
head, give promise of intellect-but her
manners arc reserved, aud did not make
much progress in her acquaintance. Julia's
health is much improved. She does not
know Mrs. or Miss Spencer, but has met
with Miss Maxwell the gray-cyed maiden
have spoken of and is quite pleased
with her, a circumstance which proposes
scs me in her favor You know my con-
flcnce in the Judgment of my sister, and
how much am disposed to love all to
whom she is attached. I have written
you long letter, but cannot conclude
without telling you that Miss Spencer is to
give party in few days, and that your
sober, scdate friend, who eschews tle fol-
lies and vanities of fashionable life, is as
impatient for this village fete as youth
of eighteen. Write soon. and direct to
Westville. shall be here for some weeks
Yours &C., q. W1LMoT.
May ask who is the fair lady with
whom YOU were riding this morning, Mr..
Wilmot? said Mary Spencer, as that
gentleman entered Mrs. Spencer's parlour.
"It was my sister," he replied .'her
health is delicate, and he lis ordered BY
her physicians to ride every day"
Indeed, I was not aware that your
sister accompanied you. Why did you
not inform us that she was in the village,
and allow us the pleasure of making her
acquaintance ?"
s.Julia has been here for several weeks;
but her feeble health confines her much
to the house, which is the reason, proba-
bly,, that you have never met"
ri regret very much that | was not a.
ware of her being in town but L hope
now to have an opportunity of repairing
my involuntary negligence. L seldom
visit strangers unless know who they
are for there is a risk, in this place, of
making very improper acquaintences =
am sure, Mr.. Wilmot" she added,
"you, approve of young ladi being very
parv::~nlar in their associations 7?
GSrt1, hnt respccss Miss but did not suppose that
"Oh, they are respectableS; oorto;r sorso
but what mean is, that they are the frs,
"Fhe first people! I do not understand tne
meaning you afIix TO that expression"
Wwill then give yeu an account OF very
narrow escape | made from forming an extremely
impropcr acquaintance, and you Will then under
|. stand what mean by the first people. Among
the visiters here this summer is Miss Brandon,
who, am told, is extremity pretty and genteel IN
appearance Ssan here was quite os rsno
ON her, when fortunately learned that her father
was n mechanic, and that she had brother who
had kept a country school. Of course, | dc
cIined 10 visit her, for mechanics have certainy
10 business in good society; and to school mast,
, ers, if there is any thing upon Garth FOR which
have n perfect contempt, it is a country peda'
goguc." .., u;., ,or ,,,t,;oo
that she did not perceive the look with which,
Wilmot regarded her, until as 81 ceased to speak
hc advanced to the soE. on which she sat- and
, bowing profoundly, said
, tIf such are your sentiments, Miss Spencer,
owe Won an apology for having intruded myscl
unon your acquaintance. Miss Brandon is my
baIf sister, and both her father and mine were
mechanics Moreover. AM the identical coun
trv school master o. whom you have heard.
have the honor to wish yon good morning
I And AGAIN bowing 10 all the ladies, Mr. Wllmo