The Portland daily press., 1892-09-05
A FAIR BLOCKADE BREAKER.
By T. c. De Leon.


especially, had repute scarce attained
by the perfect mastery OF her Erard
piano, that showed under the strong,
precise hands of her sister, blonde, inn
perious, stately, and Miss Westminster
by grace of eighteen months lapse.
About these handsome rooms COM
fortably moved q company rarely dis
tinguished, even at day when the
strong current of national events bore
on it the strongest, most cultured and
best-known, men aud women of the
land. And close vicinage to the nation
al capital added to some Baltimore re-
unions the glitter of uniforms, military
as well as diplomatic, and the glamour
of great names.
Indeed, during the war time, Balti-
more society was unique beyond any in
America; and broad, deep stream Of
sentiment-picketed on one side by de-
FAINT, ortspoken feeling, on the other by
prudence, sagacity, tact and ceaseless
watchfulness-fowed through the social
city, as dangerous and difficult to pass
as the near-fowing Potomac.
But. if s'the despot's heel" was really
pressing on Maryland's shore, it GER
tainly seemed shod in slipper OF velvet
at her capital of society and Of COM
merce.
For-stronghold Of southern sympa-
thizers, the ''rebel nest" as Washington
held her to be-most of Baltimore's lead
ing people had tact sufficient to keep
their tongues still, however active they
may have been otherwise In aid,to strug-
Cling, friend or relative beyond the Dor
der, however much Of disgust may, in
many instances, have lurked beneath
the smile. Never protesting s9oyalty''
as the word was then mistranslated,
these were wise enough to repress all
blatant hint OF its opposite, well real-
izing that no,good could possibly result
therefrom, while one chance word might
mar all future possibility of usefulness,
even while resulting IN immediate hurt
or danger.
If not profound society peace, there
reigned at least a social truce, sensitive,
unformulated. liable to rupture on slight
occasion;s for 1t might have been of the
social situation then that was written:
Though ye conquer us men OF the north, know
We not
What fierce, sullen hatred turks under tha
scar?
How loyaa was Venice to Hapsburg, ! wotl-
How dearly the Pole loves his father the
czars''
Yet under more than one roof which
covered a family Of the best old stock,
every heart beating in perfect unison
with the struggling souShrons, were re-
ceived men and women who widely diff
fered in every public matter, but were
wholly congeuial in every social one.
And that tactful gracewhtch has ever
been the chief charm Of Baltimore So
ciety deity rounded dangerous and
treacherous>' headlands of opinion, to
glide safely into those neutral waters
of simple social contact.
Exceptions there were, even in such
households, where the fair Marylander
had thought her ear profaned by
courteous address from the Yankee, her
hand polluted by his social touch! Such
openly paraded their sympathies and
sang aloud the praises of their dear
ones, self-exiled to do i,attae for the
cause they knew to be right, even as
the first crusaders battled for the sep
ulcher! And some of these defiant fair
ones-fortunately, though, In rare ex-
ception-defed all orders and regula-
ton, prayerfully imploring n,artyrdom
by Haunting the confederate colors and
in at least two misunderstanding
themselvesint the adored stars and bars,
in full publicity.
AS fearless as they were injudicious,
some BaHimoreans not only brought
suffering upon themselves, but willfuIly
uu1lified their chances to relieve that Of
those absent ones whose cause they SO
defended and revered. But the quiet
end more tactful set. while doing moth
ing to hurt their own consciences, yet
kept ON easy terms with those of differ
ing political color. And who shall
blame them if, at the same time, they
kept eye and ear alert for every chance
which might profit distant friends, by
ready hand or open purse? For many
of these, also, had their next of kin to
the southern army-some as humble
privates, some, again, high in rank and
sending echo Of their names beyond the
river for deeds Of derring do.
Thus the social situation Of the hour
was one of exceeding delicacy, demand.
ing for its solution not only tact and
ease in society usage, but courage, In
telligence, and diplomacy as well
Of old historic family on both sides,
and with unstinted means, the Gilmor
Grays were facile leaders in the gayest
events of that eventful winter; and to-
nights musicale-simply an informal
one, almost impromptu, to which guests
had been hidden only the previous day
was eclipsed, in quality at least. by
no previous occasion.
Miss Westchester had finished a
sparkling rendering Of a Chopin waltz,
when her sister was led to the piano by
cabinet minister. The deep hush
wrapping all in the MUSHROOM through
the notes of Gounod's "Jewel Song
for ''Faust' was then a novelty In
Paris-broke into spontaneous rush Cd
gloved hands together, demanding its
encore. The light Of well-won praise
lit the girls richly colored face, as she