Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-02-24
THE FIVE LOVERS.
A STORY FOR coqUETTEs.

H Spring have always been celebrated for
the crowd Of visitors, who each summer flock to
this Eden of rest, to recuperate and restore their
tired bodies and jaded minds, wearied by the
whirl and hustle Of the Winters campaigns.
Here the young votares Of pleasure throng dur
ing the hot months, and find ample enjoyment
in the lazy joys Of croquet, or the more exciting
mysteries of Irritation to repay them for the loss
Of those dear morning drives in the park, or
the blissful shopping excursions which make up
the daily employment OF our city bellies.
Probably since its first opening, H had
never been so full of visitors as it was in the
Summer Of 1871. Beauties from every State,
beauties in every style, and all all armed cdp-d-
pie in their myriad charms, for the conquest of
those much abused, but very necessary members
of society, whose dress coats nightly filled the
long ballroom OF the hotel.
Among this bouquet of living flowers there
was none who could compare with Miss Annie
Rochester, line representative of the modern
city of Gotham. Beautiful-not as the poets
dream--but as human flesh and blood sometimes
is, and full Of all those witcheres which are so
fatally powerful against poor weak mankind.
1t really was wonderful sight to see how the
cunning beauty kept each of her admirers in his
place. Dispensing to one a smile, to another
| soft word favoring this lucky adorer by a
| charming ete-a-tete, as in his handsome buggy
| behind two-forty trotter, they sped quickly
along the shady country road recalling the wan
ing admiration OF a faint-hearted beau by de-
lightful promenade under the spreading oaks OF
the Grove, listening to the soft nothings he
poured in her pretty pink ear, repaying every
horrid compliment with one of her matchless
smiles, and finally sending her companion away
to dream rosy visions of happiness and more in
love than ever. Naturally this could not go on
| long man il not willing to live on smiles alone,
even when they are as perfect as were those Of
Miss Annie. So at last the first trembling VIC
time in the visable share q Augustus Green, Of
fered himself a voluntary sac ihce on the
altar of Miss Annie's charms.
What could Annie do? Augustus was so
handsome and then, poor fellow he seemed
so unhappy" limited darkly at suicide, and, in
fact. painted such pitiful picture, that the tom
der beauty could not find it in her heart to re-
ject him So Augustus left that coy little parlor
the happiest of men, and Annie was allowed to
go on with her tide OF conquest
But soon another fly, his wings scorched by
the fire of Annies eyes, fell at her pretty feet
and too kind al 8, nt'e u inli Jain on fellow
/ being, and especially on lover az devoted az
Willie Reed, she made him happy by promising
at the end of the season to transform herself
| into Mrs. William Reed and sent the delighted
| W lie on his way rejoicing.
For week the two happy ones struggled
/ wildly. as to which OF them should be most zeal
GUS in their efforts to please the goddess of
their hearts devotion. And while Augustus
wondered how that fellow Reed could poster
| Annie with attentions, which. lie must see were
totally uncared for by her Willie turned up his
|
the Summer was over, so that Annie might be
| rid Of his senseless chatter.
In spite OF the fierce looks which each Of them
/ cast on the other, Annie went on in her trium-
| phant march, and steering her course with skill
managed to make both the happiest of men
without either realizing the fact that he had a
| rival But Miss Annie was handsome and Miss
| Annie was kind gentle and tender: and 30 when
| Gus Brown offered her the control OF his heart
and fine house in tue city, she could not resist
| md tt1g vaa u.lI al E,h .,1 ia a..
instead OF two now We'd with each other for pre-
| eminence.
Then came Jack-Jack Carter, and-"well YOU
know at was simply impossible to reject Jack, he
was such dear, and then he did gallop so di
| vInely. and Annie and he were such perfect mart
ners; no one knew her step so we'll as he did
| So Jack was happy, and Miss Annie awoke ono
| morning to the terrible reality that she was in
that dangerous position of having four beaux on
her string, or four strings to her bow.
| The last month of the season was drawing 10
close, mammas and papas were writing home
TO have their houses ready for their return.
| Daughters were packing their finery, and finish
ing off aummarily their tlirtations and Temporary
| engagements 1t was then in this time of hustle
| and preparation for departure that one evening
| group Of young fellows were seated beneath
the shade Of the old oaks in the grove lazilv
putting their after dinner cigars The bellies had
vanished, retiring to their rooms for Just lit.
tie nap, before bursting forth in all tile spen.
I
silence reigned around the whole place.
Strange to relate, the members of this little
circle had never before been alone together
| Augustus it was true, had often Joined Gus in
the sacred mysteries Of real Virginia iulep-
that ambrosia draught so conducive to good
| fellowship and confidence. Willie and Jack had
passed the best part Of their days in knocking
about the billiard balls and each night in the
ballroom the whole four had been accustomed
to hover as attending sprites around that tickle
divinity Annie, waltzing, galloping and strug
Cling with each other as to which of them SHOULD
engage the most of her attention, rewarded by 4
smile, and happy as lord, when the wi ,ked little
witch cart at them one OF those sly glances from
under the fringe of her curved black lashes
which pierced their black coats through to the
heart, All this had they done, and often haC
they been alone in couples, but never before haC
Augustus, Gus, Willie and Jack been gathered
together under the same circumstances and il
the same manner as they now were.
The four lovers tilted their chairs back agains
the trees, and taking their cigars from thei
lips, they blew long, curly wreath of smoke
upward, and four melancholy signs broke thu
previous stiffness.
"Nhy, hello fellows what's the matter? Al
four Of you signing like what that Shakespeare
chap says, "a pair of bellows" Who's dead 2"
The irreyerent voice that spoke came from the
lips of Dick Long, as his majesty Law at full
length on the grass lazily putting at Lis cigar
and grinning with malicious pleasure at the Ions
faces Of his friends.
Well, Dick" said Willie Reed, after shor
] silence, i don't mind telling you what makes mt