The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1893-02-03
CHAPTER V.
A nAtrlMonr wAR PARTY.

A brilliant and representative gather
ing, but not large one, had assembled
in the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS parlors of
Mrs. Gilmor Gray.
That fair and gracious hostcss--still
among the most attractive of the Mon
umcntal city's society lcaders-was as
sisted i'm entertainment Of distinguished
guests 10y two brilliant daughters,
noted bellies in that gity, among whose
women beauty and -cfinement are the
rule.
To IN IN Of these TIE Misses Westchcs-
tcr-for the fair masrcn had solaccd n
sometime widowhood at the earnest
pleading of Mr.. Gilmor Gray, noted
club bachelor in bc.impcr-
vipuS armor added travel, accom-
plishmcnt and high culture OF rnre mu-
steal gifts. Miss Bessie, small. bru-
nCtte and piquantc, was n ballaaist sec
ond To- none in that musical center; and
her Interpretation of German songs,
especially, had rcputc scarce attained
by the perfect mastery Of her Erard
piano, that showed under the strong,
precise hands of her sister, blonde, inn
pcrious, stately, and Miss Westminster
by grace Of eighteen months lapse.
About these handsome rooms COM
fortably moved company rarely dis
tiuguishcd, even ut u day when the
strong current of national events bore
on il the strongest, most cultured and
bcSt-llnown men aud women of the
land. And close vicinage 10 the nation
al capital added To some Baltimore re-
unions the glitter Of uniforms, military
rs we'll 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
piclSctcd on one side by de-
fiant, outSpolScn feeling, on the other by
prudence, sugacity, tact and ccasclcss
flowed through the social
city, as dangerous and difficult TO pass
rs the ncar-1owing Potomac.
But, il 1.-THE dcspot'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
mcrcc.
stronghold OF southern syInpa-
thizcrs, the rebel nest" rs Washington
held her to bc-most OF Baltimorc's lead
ing people had tact sufficient to keep
their tongues still. however active they
may have been otherwise in aid 10 strug-
Cling friend or relative beyond the Dor
der, however much of disgust may, in
many instances, have lurkcd beneath
the smile. Never processing loyalty"
rs the word was then mistranslatcd,
these were wise enough To rcprcss all
blatant hint OF its opposite. well real
izing that no good could possibly result
thcreirom, while ono chance word might
mar all future possibility of usefulness,
even while resulting in immediate hurt
or danger,
II not profound society peace, there
rcigned at least u social truce, sensitive.
unformulatcd, liable 20 rupture on slight
occasion; for it might have been of tho
social situation then that was written:
Though yc conquer US, men OF the north. know
We not
What ncrec, sullon hatred turks under tho
scar
How loyal Was ver!ce 20 Eapsburg wot'-
How dearly the Pole loves hts father the
car
Yet under more than one roof which
covered n family OF the best old stock,
every heart beating in perfect unison
with the struggling southrons, were re-
ceivcd men and women who widely diff
fered in every public matter, but were
wholly congcnial in every social one.
And that tactful grace which has ever
/ been the chief charm Of Baltimore 50
cicty deftly rounded dangerous and
treacherous hoadlands Of opinion, to
| glide safely into there neutral waters
/ OF simple social contact
! Exceptions there were, even In such
households. where the fair Marylandcr
/ had thought her ear profared 10y
/ courteous address from the Yaplsee, her
| hand polluted by his social touch! Such
openly Paradcd their Sympathies and
sang aloud the praises Of their dear
ones, sclf-cxilod u do battle for the
cause they knew ito be right, even as
/ the FIRST crusaders battlcd for the sep
ulcherl And some ~ these defiant fair
hes-for;Gnatcly, though. In rare ex-
/ ccption-dcllcd all orders and regnla-
ton, praycrfully iGnploring uinrtyrdom
| by Haunting the confederate colors and
lin at least two wrapping
themselves in tho adorcd stars and bars.
In full publicity, en tnQ.
As fearless as the, were tnjudieious,
sone Daltimoreans not only brought
! suffering upon themselves. but wllfully