The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-07-26
Patty Hempstead's,
Wedding Jockey.
A STORY OF REVOLUTIONARY
DAYS.
BY Fred Myron Colby.
BY Fred Myron Colby

The rows of polished pewter dishes
shone on the shelves of the high buffet
the fire blazed in the huge fireplace, the
sunshine fell in waves upon the white
sanded floor and the tall oak cased clock
in the corner licked with its accustomed
regularity as pretty Patty Hampstead
paced to and fro, spinning. one September
morning more than 100 years ago. The
young girls Of these days would doubtless
scorn the humble household occupation in
which Miss Patty was engaged. but none
of them could have looked handsomer or
more graceful than she did. her slim.
slender figure set off by the white dimity
short gown and the salamanca petticoat,
and her long golden curls tossing with ev-
cry movement of the fairy, springy feet
and white arms.
As the great wheel rim revolved at ev-
cry stroke Of the ashen pin given careless
ly by the fair hands. the young spinner
kept time by singing in a clear, sweet
voice, whose every echo was music, a
quaint refrain which seemed to accord
with something that was on her mind
that morning:
The mermaid rose from her coral sea bed;
And villa: shall wear today2 she said.
Oh. vii: wear dress of sea moss green,
All pears shall fash my locks betweenl
One after another of the soft rolls of
wool disappeared, until the spindle was
laden with a spherical bunch of yarn
white enough to be used in knitting a pair
of stockings for Patty's own slender feet ;
then suddenly the whirring and the sing
ing ceased simultaneously. and the girl
she was only 1S-exclaimed:
Mother. what shall l wear? Do tell
me; and only think, it's tomorrow night -
Many woman has asked the same
question before and since Patty Hemp
stead's day, but certainly none ever felt
a greater so,icitude and anxiety regard
ing the "wherewithal she should be
clothed" than Patty did on this particu-
lar morning Of that long ago fall of 1880
The occasion she referred to was a ball
and reception that was to be given the
officers of the French feet at the Assem-
bly, rooms by the citizens of New London
Lafayette. Rochambeau and the rest of
that brilliant cOterie were expected to be
present. but Patty thought more about a
certain young naval officer named Reu
ben Saltonstall than she did of any of
those foreign dignitaries.
He would be there. and Patty was
eminently DESTROYS of looking "becom
ing" SO that Lieutenant SaItonstall
should not be ashamed of her. Then, too
if she should be asked to dance with La
fayette or Rochambeau she was sure she
did not wish to 'look like a dowdy," as
she expressed it. for Patty was quite as
proud and vain as a young and beautiful
woman is apt to be.
The question perplexed her more than
you can guess. 1t was during the dark
days of the Revolution, and money was
scarce in the colonies except among q
few of the richest families. In this case
however, it was not owing to any lack of
means. for Squire Joshua Hampstead
was one of the heavy citizens of the sea
port town. The trouble was there was
nothing to buy.
For days and days they had been ex
pecting at Elnathan Popplewait's wharf
a ship from Europe laden with quantity
of shawls, muslins, silks and laces as
well as more material necessities. but
they waited in vain. for either unpropi
tious winds or some of King Georges
cruisers kept the merchant vessel from
making her destined port. The ball was
now close at hand. and II the Mary Ann
should come in that very day 1t would be
too late to manufacture any of its cargo
into a ballroom dress.
"Oh, dear. what shall I wearP' cried
Patty. tapping her red heeled shoes upon
the floor impatiently. 81 am worse of
than the mermaid. for she did have q
moss gown. and | have none that's fit to
wear"
There's yonr old india muslin" sug
gested Mrs. Hampstead. lit might be-
Don't speak OF it. | wouldn't be seen
in that dress again for the world" said
Patty. almost with tears in her eyes. 81
would sooner stay away from the ball."
do you remember the white satin pet
ticoat made with the long train that |
was married in 2" asked Mrs. Hampstead
thoughtfully.
"Why that is the very thing. Why
haven't we thought Of II before? The
train can he festooned so that 1t will not
embarrass me when dancing. and other
changes can he made il desired" And
Patty's face frightened.
"Now, II you only had jacket or
short gown to wear over il | don't see
why you wouldn't be fixed" observed
her mother a. she pulled out q drawer of
the big chest and proceeded to unfold the
satin petticoat that had not been worn
for years and was quite as good as new.
81 have 1t! have itp' shouted Patty,
springing away with such whirlwind OF
rush as TO startle quiet Mrs. Hemp,
stead.
She returned in a short time carrying
in her hands a sky blue satin waistcoat
heavily embroidered with silver thread.
what in the world are you going TO do
with that. Patty Hempstead" exclaimed
her mother sit is your grandsire's waist
coat chiId-the very one he wore at the
court of George ii when be was present
ed to Queen Caroline"
And |. Colonel Hempstead's grand,
daughter. will wear it at the reception of
the MARQUIS de Lafayette. said the
beautiful girl, her face all aglow. "See
1t fits ME as well as though it was made
for me. A few ships of the shears will
make it all right"
and it becomes you maryelously well
though / would not say aught to increase
your vanity" observed Mrs. Hampstead
as she stood off short distance and con.
templated with motherly pride the strik'
ingy picturesque figure.
81 wish knew what Polly Shaw Is 60
ing to wear" said Patty, walking back
and forth and pausing now and then to
give a sly peep into the large mirror on
the wall.
''She cannot wear her grandfather
waistcoat, whatever else she wears, fol
he was never at court" answered hes