Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-02-16
CHAPTER V.
A BALTIMORE WAR PARTY.


brilliant and representative gather
ing, but not large one, had assembled
in the Neutrality-suspicious. parlors of
Mrs. Gil1nor Gray.
That fair and gracious hostess-still
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 a
sometime widowhood at the earnest
pleading of Mr.. Gilmor Gray, 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 baIladist 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, i'm
perious, stately, and Miss Westchester
by grace of eighteen months lapse
About these handsome rooms COM
fortably moved company rarely dis
tinguished, 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.
Indeed, during the war time, Balti-
more society was unique beyond any in
America; and a broad, deep stream of
sentiment-picketed on one side by de-
faint, outspoken feeling, on the other by
prudence, sagacity, tact and ceaseless
watchfulness- flowed through the social
city, as dangerous and difficult to pass
as the near-fovving Potomac.
But, if ttthe 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 loyalty
as the word was then mistranslated,
these were wise enough to repress all
blatant hint of its opposite, well real
ling that no good could possibly result
therefrem, 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.
unfornulated, liable TO rupture on slight
occasion; for it might have been of the
social situation then that was written:
Though ye conquer US, men Of the north, know
What herce, suIIen hatred turks under the
sc1rs
How loyal was Venice TO Hapsburg, zot.-
How dearly the Pole loves his father The
car"
Yet under more than one roof which
covered family of the best old stock
/ every heart beating in perfect unison
with the struggling southrons, We're re
| ceived men and women who widely off
fered in every public matter, bat were
| wholly congenial in every social one
Anu Ildb tacNIC1 grace winch mas cVel
been the chief charm OF Baltimore so
ciety deity rounded dangerous and
treacherous headlands OF opinion, K
glide safely into those neutral water
OF simple social contact
Exceptions there were, even in sucl
households, where the fair Marylande
had thought her ear profaned b.
courteous address from TIE Yankee, he
hand polluted by his social touch. Sucl
openly paraded their sympathies an
sang aloud the praises Of their des