The Lincoln County herald., 1870-11-10
From the Western Monthly for November.
WHO WAS SOUvREIGNEi
BY L. A ROBERTS.

BY L. A ROBERTS.
It was 10 the fall Of 1874 that Emile
Souvreigne 6rst came to Baltimore to re-
side, iu the unpretending character Of q
music teacher. He had spent the two
preceding years in Philadelpbis, in the
pursuit Of like humble calling-that OF
teacher Of the French language in a
young ladies' seminary. He admitted,
however, that ho had . more ambitious
aim in coming to America than his pur.
suit Of either Of these vocations would
imply. He had tor years studied, with
ever increasing interest, he declared, the
history and institutions Of our republic,
which he regarded as the model govern
ment Of the word and he had now come
among % In the hope Of being enabled to
study our social and domestic life through
familiar intercourse with our citizens at
their homes. He had enjoyed in Phila
deiphis every facility that could be de.
sired for the furtherance Of this project,
having won bis way without difficulty
into the choicest society Vf the city. He
had been especially impressed with the
many admirable traits Of that circle OF
wealthy and cultivated Quakers peculiar
to Philadelphia, which has long been
remarked by discriminating foreigners as
forming one of the most charming feat.
ures Of society in America; and he de
clsred uureservedly that If he had desired
nothing more than pleasant home in the
United States he would have remained
permanently in the city which. through
fortuitous circumstances, had offered him
his first abiding place on our shores.
But the plan which he had proposed to
himself contemplated an extended tour
of the State, that should occupy several
years and afford him opportunity to
remain long enough in each considerable
city throughout the country to render
himself conversant with any distinctive
social characteristics it might be found to
possess. He had so far made no system
attic notes of his observations, he said /;
and if q book should ever be digested
::.-cc@ .hem-which was n"ssible-it would
be written directly from his heart and
his head, and not from the dry bones OF
q tourists note. book.
Such was Souvreigne's programme, as
announced by himself; aud though i.
was certainly an ambitious one, there
was in the mans address and bis evi.
dent ability and sincerity, which left
no doubt in any mind that he was fully
equal to the task which he had set for
hi%'es lSs es4ssdeaatisse a III r6n GlsdelpSia to
many prominent business and professional
men 10 Baltimore snd these, together
with his eminent social qualities, won for
him speedy admission into tho selected
circles Of society noted at that day es.
pecislly, for it's culture and polish.
Notwithstanding this general and
hearty reception aud recognition, Souv
reigne did not escape that social inquisi.
ton to which the social hon is every.
where duly subjected. Who was he
Had be no credentials back of those
which he had brought from Philadelphia
Night be not, after all, be only plausi
BILE advenlurcr, with all the gloss but
none Of the substance Of the courtly
gentleman that he appeared to be.2 II
was in evidence that he manifested O
marked reluotsnce to engage in couversa
ton upon any topic relating TO bis posi-
ton at home. If pressed with questions
10 this direction, hs now and then he was
by some over -inquisitivs person, q cloud
would o. me gradually over his face; be
would quickly lose all his vivacity; his
answers would DO evasive and unsatis.
factory and his appearance Of distress
would appeal 80 foroibly to the better
nature Of his inquisitors, that ordinarily
the subject would be speedily dropped
It was proved further that, for some oc
ru!t reason, this mysterious individal
upon entering . drawing. room, nigh
always be observed to glance swiftly frou
one to iho,her Of all the ladies present
as if searching for particular and OK
peoted face and in support Of this by
pothesis it was shown that he habituall,
avoided gatherings At which he knew ht
should meet oaly ladies whom be haG
previously met, and attended religiousl,
such a. promised him opportunity to ex
tend his acquaintance. A habit similar
to this last entioned was known to mari
his conduct even more uot,cesbly 10 pub
lie assemblage; his omniscient opera
glass seemed always to be seeking for
face which it never seemed TO End.
A hundred theories were advanced ~
canvassed to explain these several peou
isrities of . man who was admitted TO be
a. TO all things overt, wholly withou
reprosch. But one conjecture was o
idle as another and as time passed an'
Souvreigns became more familiarly known
all disposition to suspect or distrust th'
man melted away before his suavity an'
accomplishments. If indeed be was onl
an impositor, he wore the mask Of gen
tleman with such consumate grace tha
every day II secmed to ct him better