Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-09-15

gan that career which led her to the throne
ST Queen OF song. and gave her world
wide celebrity. a.
Up Broadway, near the Park, stood the
old Park theatre, where Kemble delighted
the playgoing public, where Edmund
Keene first displayed his abilities, and
where Mrs Oldmixon was for many years
the favorite stock actress.
Very sketchily have tried to describe
somewhat the fashions and surrounding OF
fifty years ago. At best it can be but matt
ingly done. The whole scene and people
can no more be recalled than can the Tor
gotten sunlight of those vanished sum-
mers. A touch here and there, an outline
= of some story of passion, is all that it is
possible to give now, imperfectly too land
only BY hints and suggestions, can be told
those heart histories, once SO full OF eagle
life, so throbbing with the keen interests
of love and despair, of JOY and sorrow.
Among the bellies who reigned in the
'twenties," were two sisters, Jane and
Anne L. In these days they would be
"Jennie" and Annie but the fashion
then cared not for such softening OF good
plain names. Jane, the elder took society
by storm when she returned from Madame
Provost's School, and fairly ''came out"
as young lady She had soft hazel eyes,
a profession of auburn hair, which she
wore "a la mode" combed high from the
neck behind, and arranged on the top OF
the head in numerous curls and bows.
Her figure was remarkable for symmetry of
proportion, grace all important in those
days, when every outline of round waist
and shapely limb was visible through the
scant dress. Of course such fair lady
would have plenty of admirers, and for
two years she reigned undisputed in New
York society; then her younger sister,
Anne, in turn came home from school. 1t
is related of the two that on the first even
ing after her return, Anne drew Jane
away to her own room, and standing be-
fore her, where the light fell strongly on
her face and form, asked
s'Well. what do YOU think of me P''
Jane regarded her with critical examin-
alton; what she saw was short woman
with eyes like her own but more brilliant,
lacking the langushing charm of her
glances, but showing plenty of intellect
in their keen light, a somewhat dull COM
plexion, large mouth, good hair, and a
tolerable figure. Her verdict was
We'll, Anne, you can't be pretty, so
you had better be odd"
This advice was eagerly adopted. and
Anne L. was speedily known as the oldest
girl in New York. She wore peculiar
dresses; she did queer things; she had
the jstrangest pets-a mouse which she
carefully taught, and parrot that was
cross to every one but her-and finally as
a browning freak of all, a green and yell
low snake. This reptile was given to her
hxy< If 81 rxyhr, hrct, fr1t II
from South America, and for one whole
winter she kept it in her room, and on
certain occasions carried it with her to
balls and theatres, allowing it to coil about
her arms and white neck.
The witticisms Of this strange woman
were numerous, her sarcastic repartees
were repeated with admiration, and her
wild whims formed an ever new excite
ment in the set in which she lived; SO that
James advice was grand success. and
Anne's oddities won as much admiration
as James beauty. fa
During summer visit to Balston, then
the fashionable watering place, the sisters
met among numerous other new admirers.
a Mr.. Gordon Of South Carolina, who
speedily attached himself to their train.
Handsome, and pleasing in manner, both
sisters Ike d him, and for time it seemed
impossible to tell which one he preferred,
80 evenly balanced were his attentions.
Jane. whose languid eyes sometimes saw
deeply, was the first to divine half the
story she saw that Anne, usually SO in
different. was deeply interested in this
stranger, and herself resolved to give him
no more encouragement. This did not
prevent the end one day when the time
for separation had almost come, Mr.. Cor
don contrived to secure a tete tete with
the beautiful Jane, and to tell her how he
loved her with his whole soul. 4's
3 Jane heard him in panied silence, and
when he appealed for a final answer, said
to him with the odd frankness that seems
to have been a part Of her nature:
81 cannot marry you, Mr.. Gordon but
Anne will. y
How the affair was managed we can
only guess, but certain it is that an en-
gagement was arranged between the
enamored planter and the sister of the
woman he loved
For time Anne seemed entirely and
happy, an unwonted sweetness
distinguishing her manners. She was no
longer so ready to utter bitter words and
cynical sneers, and her brilliant eyes sof-
tened till they were almost like James.
The Misses L. returned to New York, Mr.
Gordon accompanying them, and for few
weeks no shadow of suspicion clouded
Anne's contentment. The pet snake. left
behind during the summer journey, was
at first somewhat neglected, for we hear
nothing. of it until one unlucky night when
the freak seized Anne to carry it with her
to the theatre. a
Mr.. Gordon had never heard of the ex-
istence of the creature. He Joined the
sisters in their box. and was talking with
Anne when suddenly from out the folds of
the white muslin dress, the reptile thrust
its venomous- looking head, and glided up