Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-07-21
CHAPTER V.

| A BALTIMORE WAR PARTY.
A brilliant and representative gather
ing, but not a large one, had assembled
in the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT parlors of
Mrs. Gflmor Gray.
That fair and gracious hostess-stin
among the most attractive of the Mon
umental city's society leaders-was as
sisted in entertainment of distinguished
guests by two brilliant daughters,
noted bellies in that city, among whose
women beauty and refinement are the
rule.
To both of these the Misses Westches-
ter-for the fair matron had solaced
sometime widowhood at the earnest
pleading of Mr.. Gilmor Gray, a noted
club bachelor in supposed-to-be-imper-
vious armor - added travel, accom-
plishment and high culture of rare mu-
steal gifts. Miss Bessie, small, bru-
nette and piquante, was ballad sec
ond to none in that musical center; and
her Interpretation of German songs,
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 Westchester
by grace of eighteen months lapse.
About these handsome rooms COM
fortably moved a company rarely dis
tinEuished, even at a 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.
| Tn6aa6 DURING the war fiToa Pa1t;-
more society was unique beyond any in
America; and a broad, deep stream of
sentiment-picl1etedo on one side by de-
FAINT, outspoken feeling, on the other by
prudence, sagacity, tact and ceaseless
watchfulness-how through the social
city, as dangerous and difficult to pass
as the near-flowing Potomac.
But, if "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 aidto strug
Cling friend or relative beyond the Dor
| ~
many instances, have lurked beneath
the smile. Never protesting loyalty
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 social truce, sensitive,
unformulated, liable to ruptureon slight
occasion; for it might have been of the
social situation then that was written:
Though We conquer us, men of the north, know
We not
What fierce, sullen hatred turks under the
How loyal was Venice to Hapsburg, woti-
How dearly the Pole loves his father tbs
czar!"
Yet under more than one roof which
covered family of the best old stock,
every heart beating in perfect unison
with the struggling southrons, were re-
ceived men and women who widely diff
fered in every public matter, but were
wholly congenial in every social one.
And that tactful grace which has ever
been the chief charm of Baltimore so
ciety deity rounded dangerous and
a treacherous headlands of opinion, to
glide safely into those neutral waters
of simple social contact.
Exceptions there were, even in such
n households, where the fair Marylande1
V had thought her ear profaned by
II courteous address from the Yankee, hel
d hand polluted by his social touch! Such
openly paraded their sympathies an6
j. sang aloud the praises of their deal
Is ones, self-exiled to do battle for the
" cause they knew to be right, even al
10 the first crusaders battled for the sep
ulcher! And some of these defiant fail
le fortunately, though, in rare ex
h ception-defied all orders and regula
ID ton, prayerfully imploring martyrdon
by Haunting the confederate colors ant
s. in at least two instances-wrappint
re- themselves in the adored stars and bars
s. in full publicity.
10 AS fearless as they were injudicious
IS some Baltimoreans not only brough
It. suffering upon themselves, but willfull,
nullifed their chances to relieve that O
IS. those absent ones whose cause they s
Id defended and revered. But the quie
ly and more tactful set, while doing moth
If Ing to hurt their own consciences, ye
kept on easy terms with those of diffel
ing political color. And who sha
tn blame them if, at the same time, the
lis kept eye and ear alert for every chanc
DIS which might profit distant friends, b
ed ready hand or open purse? For man
he of these, also, had their next of kin i
On the southern army-some as humbl
privates, some, again, high in rank an
- sending echo of their names beyond til
river for deeds of derring do.
en- Thus the social situation of the hor
Id was one of exceeding dehcacy, deman'
ar ing for its solution not only tact an
il. ease in society usage, but courage, il
II, telligence, and diplomacy as well.
to OF old historic family on both side
N. and with unstinted means, the CLINE
If Grays were facile leaders in the gave
events of that eventfnl winter; and t