Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-04
THE FIRST INAUGURALBALL

| 1t was an afternoon in the early spring of the
year lIS9-one of those days when the SUMS
warm radiance is unchecked either by cloud or
touch of recent winter in the air.
Over the Boston road family coach was
numbering sleepily on its way to the CITY of
New York and behind it, upon a stockv bay
horse. which calamity bore his majestic riders
weight, rode Judge Jared Chester. the owner
OF the horse and of the coach, and the father of
the two young ladies whose pretty faces we're
looking with eager frequency through the
windows of the vehicle
Away on the left, beyond the new-leafed
trees, the spires of the town were family to be
seen, and at such visible promise of their long
anticipated goal the wondering interest of the
two young travellers was at its height The
| younger pushed back the hood of her cape,
and thrust her face far out into the balmy.
| earth-scented air.
| Jonathan might drive faster if he would"
she sald' lmpatlentiy, gazing with wide blue
| eyes toward their destination How strange
1T Will be to u.s. Mildred. 1 do long to be
there"
She was rosy. dimpled little creature. SEEM
! ing with her dlsordered curls and flushed cheeks
rather ike tired. eager child than young
iaoy on the eve of her formal introduction to
| the world
Her sister Mildred. on the contrary, showed
10 the full her twenty years of life's discipline.
Her was q fair, hne-cut face and dlSmhed.
| weli-ccntrolled manner. Even the dust and
fatigue of travel had but lightly set their mark
! upon her.
| The town will be strange to us. make no
! doubt, she said, gently. But have Won no
! fear. Molle, that we may also be strange to
! It?-that we may seem ill-bred, because we
! nave seen so little and so Aunt Hobart be
| ashamed of us?'
| Aunt Hobart ashamed of us. indcedI' was
| the scornlul answer. And pray should not
! her brothers children be as well born as she?
Andf We have not been abroad till now. We
nave seen fine company i'll our fathers house.
Why. then. should we fear?''
Further conversation upon the subject was
! mere interrupted by the voice OF Judge Chester.
VINO rode up to explain to them their where
aDouts: ana as he again fell back slight turn
| IN the road brought them into suburb of the
| city where the thickness OF the trees hid the
distant prospect from view. and upon either
| hand splendid mansions appeared through the
| shrubbery with various degrees of distinct
| ness. As they passed further. the increasing
! number of other vehicles and pedestrians at
| tracted their excited attention.
! , Here are other people. and there are two
| three besides.' exclaimed Mollie. in delight:
! ''and they come more and more. 1t must be
| markct-day."
! Mildred smiled doubtfully. y do not think
/ that there Is a market day in great city" she
said. People have been coming like to see
! how they Will make the president. and when
thirty or forty new ones come each day there
| must soon be very MANY"
/ If John Wadleigh should ride up among
them all, said Molie THAT would be the
! grandest thing. | wish that We might meet
him. Mildred, and Mr.. Barton too"
Nlldreds faint color heightened. ''It is for
/ ward III you TO wish that" she said, with some
| cOnstrant.
But if cannot help wishing it, and see no
/ harm Ipl,,
| he Is so fine and handsome. and has been so
much III the town that all must know him for a
gentleman. l think we should be proud to see
! him."
But, Mr.. Barton said Mildred. hesitating.
1T might be no harm to wish 10 see John
| But you spoke of 3Ir. Barton
| "Ah. did II" answered Nollie, indifferentlyl
| Il had forgot See, Mildred see: Il soldier
| Quick. upon this side. Did you see how brave
| he looked? l shall love New ork; | am sure
| of it,
Mrs. Hobart's residence was a square brick
| structure situated well within the city, upon
corner of two streets. Standing within it's door
! way. she presently received her travellers with
| busy hospitality. In appearance she was a
white-haired. dignitied lady of perhaps fifty
years, wearing a snowy cap. kerchef and
apron. and dark hOmespun gown A smile
OF atfectionate pride lighted her kind eyes as
| she beheld her nieces.
| These should be mine. brother" she said.
! looking admirlngly upon them. lis it not
! ever the way with the world that such as they
should be motherless, and such az |. chldless?''
! What is is for the best, Elizabeth" Judge
! Chester answered, gravely.
! And it is for the best that thew are with me
now she returned. the momcntary shadow
| passing from her face. There will be grand
! doings i'll the town, children, and / have heard
! those speaking of your coming who will see
| you rightly placed in ALL Young Wadleigh has
been here. Brother, you may have known our
neghbor Wadeighs son at home All, there
! are no young men like them that come out of
| Massachusetts,; bear that i'll mind my girls
| The days which followed were DAYS of enioy-
ment to Mildred. of enchanIment to Mollie
/ From the first morning OF their stay they were
sought out by those of their aunts friends who
| had been notified of their arrival! and their
| beauty quickly widened the circle of their ac-
qualntance. To MOllle the greater number of
young men paid their court, for she was ever
ready with her merry laugh and lively speech
| while Mildred was more silent and difficult to
/ please.
Mildred i'll these days was becoming troubled
| for her sister. There frequently that in
| Mollie's manner which seemed TO her lacking
| In becoming modesty; and although she re-
| monstrated, her words brought but the brief
| est SHOW of reform.
| AZ first knowing John Wadleigh, Molie ac-
| cepted his attentions with her sweetest grace:
! but thereafter, upon the appearance of his
| friend and her former acquaintance, Elliott
| Barton. she seemingly forgot Johns devotion
|
| Colonel Grinell. she turned capricious again.
| and decried her other admirers as youths ="
| while enjoying the fascination of her new con-
! quest.
There was much shopping and visiting dur
| ing the days. when, being close at their aunt's
| side. MllGred's fears were at rest regarding her
| sister. but at early evening Judge Chester was
| prone to seek the cOmpaniOnship of men of his
own age and station. while Mrs. Hobart tired
| with the business of the day. would rest and
| nap i'll her chair, and leave her neices and their
| young friends to themselves.
| One afternoon they stroled out of doors
| through the city and upon the Battery which
! looks out over the bay. There was little
| breeze. rosy light from the departing sun
| came over the FURNISHED waves flushing the
| formal poplar spires and the new-leafed
| branches of the willows. At anchor i'll the
| harbor lay the frigates and other vessels await
| ing the morrow which was to witness their
| triumphal splendor, while among them the
| smaller craft moved about. bearing loads of
| pleasure-seekers upon little tours of inspec-
ton. Ashore "A great throng enjoyed the
| goo1ly night with bcaming eyes. That glow
| of proud anticipation. which all shared
warmed each heart toward its country and it's
| neighbOr. 1t would have been hard to find one
| sour or sorrowful face.
| Among this company and of it walked Mil
| dred Chester. having John Wadlcigh and Elliott
! Barton upon either side. They were well-built
men. rather above the medium height, and
weight. and being of similar taste and DISPOSE
G, -