Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-07-11

the place. who would have disturbed the
general harmony if they could; thus Miss
Bickel, lean-visaged spinster with an an
nuity, was very fond of prying into her
neighbours affairs and whispering maleyo-
lent inslnuations, protesting all the while
that she had mot particle of BELIEF IN
the rumor she circulated; and Mrs Boun-
dy again-a plump, laughing widow past
40, who was much less good natured than
she looked-delighted in the rough sort of
tittle-tattle which brushes the gloss OFT
peoples fair names. But these ladies had
found the Influences of B too strong
for them. Local society was ruled by La
dy Judith Sharp, wife of the Colonel, a
tall, middle aged, masculine lady who by
reason of moustach seemed fierce, but
who at heart was even more good natured
than Mrs. Boundy looked. AS a peers
daughter Lady Judith was accepted as an
infallible arbiter Of right and wrong, and
she invariably set her face against malice.
She was so indulgent and yet SO firmly
sensible, so upright and yet such gentle
peacemaker, that everybody liked her, and
listened to her counsels, even when they
were not palatable. Then Lady Judith
was great arranger for marriages. 1t
was she who had obtained the consent of
young Duckdoodle's mother to his en-
gagement with pretty Rose Fauncing,
whom Mrs. D. had at first turned up her
nose at as a girl of no family; and had
| fin rth hO he 40 oil uyh
prevented Mr.. Meeking, the Vicar, from
getting betrothed to handsome Laura
Cheverill, the Generals daughter. These
things were known, appreciated and ex-
tolled in B, and the young people of
the colony felt happier from the knowl-
edge that in Lady Judith they had prov
idence who would always assist the course
Of true love.
Everything suddenly changed, however,
when Captain and Mrs. Triptow, above
mentioned, arrived in B., and began
to show off in the higest style, as if they
wanted all the world to know that the
Captain had lately come in for a legacy Of
$4,000 year. To be sure, it Was not Capt.
Triptow who showed off so much as his
wife. Ha was quiet, gentlenanllke fell
low, who, if left to go his own ways, would
have been popular anywhere, but he stood
in awe of his wife, and had no power
either to control hef or to insist upon his
own liberty of action when she urged him
to do foolish things. And she was always
| thus urging him.
I rtoi hot STpiY,
tow had served in crack cavalry regiment
and contracted sort of messalliance with
the poor niece of brother officer. Mrs.
Triptow had been made the belle of Malta
for one. year, and of Bombay for another,
and she had got the reputation las Miss
Bickel and Mrs Boundy avouched) Of be-
ing fast fiirt; but as her husband and
she were of undeniably good families, they
were Hospitality received at B. The
Captain was admitted to the club, and
Mrs. Triptow was invited to one of Lady
Judith's evening parties, her ladyship
taking care to tell her that it would be
quite an informal affair, and that she need
not dress. Mrs. TriptoW disregarded this
notification, and came attired as though
for a court ball. making all the ladies and
girls present feel depressed by the plain
ness OF their own attire. She had already
exhibited herself on the public promenade
of B. in series of startling morning
costumes, which had made the local MILL
ners run gaping to their doorWays, and
now the dress il which she appeared at
Lady Judith's was one of those marvels OF
art which could only have issued from
Paris. Lady Judith was very amiable
about the mat er, and rendered full justice
to the great beauty of her guest, whose
piquant smile and vivacious prattle' (she
said to a friend) were quite refreshing
but she frowned a little when she perceiv-
ed Mrs. Triptow flirting violently with
young Duckdoodle, while poor Rose Faun-
cling, his intended, sat by neglected, with
big tears ia her eyes.
Next day was Sunday, and a notable al
iteration was observable in the apparel Of
all the feminine congregation at church.
/ You may prevail On ladies to dress soberly
until one of their number sets the example
of extravaganza; but once this is, done,
goodbye to moderation. The matrons and
maidens of B were not going to be out
done by Mrs. Triptow. They ordered new
dresses, pulled out from drawers and
boxes their choicest furs, ribbons and
false tresses, and expended their pocket
money upon fifteen button gloves. The
men held out a little longer, not wishing to
renounce the cheap and easy habit they
had contracted OF lounging about in tweed
suits, but that ass Triptow,' as many call
ed him, would turn out of an afternoon
dressed within an inch of his life and
some young men proceeded to copy him.
Then the old ones had to follow. Frock
coats, patent leather boots and gloves of
tender hue became the order of the day,
and at night men who appeared at the
club without swallow-tails were the ex-
ception.
Fine clothing begets a contempt for
cheap amusements, and, as might have
been expected, the people of B.
promptly grew ashamed of their tea par
ties, penny-readings, and penny point
WHISt. MID LIlpCoW SdNC ooliO OlOStslu
little dinners, and other ladies felt bound
to return her hospitalities in a similar
fashion. Then, she got the manager Of
the Assembly Rooms to hire a band, which
played every afternoon, and, to reward him
she organized two subscription balls Zone
in fancy costume), a charity bazaar, and
some private theatricals, in which she her
self performed bew1tchingly, with young
Duckdoodle to play jeune premier. Mean
while, Capt. Triptow had introduced into
the club whist and ecarte at half crown
| the point. and it was whispered that on a