The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1886-06-25


She was also an elegant dancer, and
was considered one of the best three
dancers in the city. The other two were
a Miss Van Colt and Miss -; but
had better not give the other ones name.
Twill cell her Vanessa, though Lucrezia
would be more aprOpOs. These girls
Lily Van Colt, Vanessa and my mother
were constant companions. Thew
were very beautiful. My mother said
Vanessa was superb, her figure COM
handing, and her manners very i'm
posing. Lily. though charming, had
not so much bel esprit. She was of a
more timid nature, and it was no mat
ter of surprise that she did not attract
as much attention as Vanessa, nor that
Vanessa, notwithstanding her many
admirers, should marry first. Her
choice was considered excellent
young man of good family, of wealth
and of ambitious character. Lily
shortly after married her cousin, and
my mother was bridesmaid to both.
She delighted to describe the wedding
feasts and the beautiful apparel of the
brides, from the wine and the wedding
cake to the satin and pearl. But such
descriptions can hardly compare with
the luxury of the present day. How
ever, I always listened with boYish
pleasure to all the details, for it was
not until a much later date that l
heard the whole of the story, or that
portion of it which was untitled for
childish ears.
''The winter succeeding these mar
riages was an unusually gay one.
Many foreigners were in town, and
among them a famous singer-a Sig
nor Bolacca, or some such name. Ev-
cry body raved about his exquisite
voice, and he was invited everywhere;
in fact, the whole town was at his feet.
You may be sure this pleased his Sc
rene Highness, but the two brides were
his especial favorites. Perhaps he
thought himself safer in paying atten-
ton to married women than to maid
ems. 1t was noticed, however, that,
contrary to the usual custom, Vanessa
did not seem to stand first in favor,
| but that Lily's quieter beauty had pre-
cedence. This was the more remark
able because all visitors from foreign
lands had agreed in pronOuncing Van
essa's style unapproachable except in
| court circles.
'NoW have my own way of telling
| stories, and you must pardon the inter
ruption, but l wish to remark that [
am coming to the part of my tale
/ which, when l have presented it in lit
| erary form, is always objected to as
| sensational / have therefore striven
| to no purpose when l have essayed to
soften it. To resume:
''You would not suppose that two
lovely young women, secure in the af-
rection of their husbands, and enjoying
| the respectful admiration of all their
| friends, could possibly be affected by
| the passing favor or a foreign adven-
/ turer; for so all those professional sing
/ ers were looked upon, no matter how
/ greatly they were cOurted or how high
/ ly their attachments were valued. But
| it became evident to all that Vanessa
was furiOusly jealous of Lily Van Colt.
| Search as you may for hidden springs
of action, l am convinced that vanity is
| as powerless a force among us as love
or hate or revenge.
"SignOr BOlacca was a guest at my
| grandfather's house, and in his honor
a ball was to be given. The tickets
had been out for days-they did not
use cards so commonly as now-and
my mother had written invitations to
| her particular friends, and received
| their replies. Vanessa's note was on
her writing-desk, when delicate little
| package was brought addressed to Sig
nor BOlacca, As he was in constant
receipt of pretty trifles from his many
admirers, my mother ordered the ser
want to take it to his room, merely re-
marking that the address resembled
that of the note lying before her.
1.-The ball was to take place that
night, and my mother was just putting
the finishing touches to her toilet,
when she heard a little tumult in the
house, but thought nothing of 1t. 1
should have told you that my grand
mothers death had placed her at the
| head of affairs. She went on, there
fore, arranging her dress, when pale
| faced servant rushed in and begged
/ her to come to the foreign gentleman s
room and see what was the matter.
/ My mother hesitated, and asked where
| her father was, and why he had not
| been appealed to; but the servant was
| in so great agitation and alarm that
she was obliged to yield to her entrea-
ties.
1.-The room was a spacious One-the
/ guest cham ber-and lighted by soon
/ ces. In the middle of it and on a can
/ opted bed lay Signor Bolacca in full
dress, but CHASTITY pale and suffering;
the servants were all about him, en-
/ deavOring to relieve him, and fright
ened half out of their wits. A faint
odor of coffee prevailed the atmos-
i phere. My mother opened the win
/ dows, applied rest ratives and had the
satisfaction of seeing the gentleman re-
vive, but was interrupted in her minis
/ tratiOns by a messenger and note inn
! ploring her to come instantly to her
friend and neighbor Lily Van Colt.
Imagine what predicament for her to
! H., ~ s., Ill l.
/ house lighted and decorated, the per-
! son for whom the entertainment was
/ in honor i'll on her hands, and another
! friend beseeching her presence as if her
/ life depended on it. And, indeed, her
/ life was in danger, as my mother soon
! discovered from the messenger. Quick
i ly giving her orders, and summOning
/ a physician, my mother drew a cloak
around her and hurried to her friend.
/ The same sight met her eyes. Lovely
/ Lily Van Colt in all the bravery of ball
/ attire was stretched motionless and
/ speechless on her bed, and the
same odOr OF coffee filed the atmos-
phere. Her husband was frantic, her
/ attendants helpless NV mothers sus-
/ picions were now fully aroused; but
/ she maintained her GOODNESS and COM
/ pOsure, and eamly administered stimu-
lants She had the satisfaction of see
ing her friend rally, and able to ex-
/ plain that she had been taken.ill after
drinking a cup of coffee; and as the
/ physician had arrived, my mother
fastened home.
''She was Just in time to receive her
| guests throng of whom were pour
ing into the drawing room. NY grand
father was very much annoyed and sur
prised at her absence, and stin more
disconnected that the chief guest of the
evening was unable to appear.