The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-03-12
CHAPTER V.
BALrIrODR WAR PATTY

That fair and gracious hostess-still
among the most attractive of the Mon
umental city's society leadcrs--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-
terror the fair matron had solaced
sometime widowhood at the earnest
pleading of Mr.. Gilmor Gray, a noted
club bachelor in upposedto- be-imper-
vious armor - added travel, accom-
plishment and high culture of rare mu-
steal gifts. Miss Bessie, small, bru-
nette and piquante was balladist 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
rs 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-picbeted on one side by de-
faint, outspoken feeling, on the other by
prudence, sagacity, tact and ceaseless
watchfulness-howed through the social
city, as dangerous and difficult to pass
as the near-howing Potomac.
But if ''the despots 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 "rebcl 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 bor-
der, however much Of disgust may, in
many instances, have lurlled 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 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
We not
What force, sullen hatred turks under the
SCARF
How loyal was Venice to Hapsburg, wot--
How dearly the Pole loves his father the
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
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 Ma1ylander
had thought her ear profancd 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-eziled to do battle 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-defcd all orders and regula-
ton, prayerfully imploring martyrdom
by Haunting the confederate colors and
in at least two wrapping
themselves in the adored stars and bars,
in full publicity.
As fearless as they were injudicious,
I some Baltimoreans not only brought
suffering upon themselves, but willfully
nullified their chances to relieve that of
those absent ones whose cause they so
defended and revered. But the quiet
and more tactful set, while doing moth
ing to hurt their own consclences, 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 in
the southern army-some Us 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