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GODEY'S

LADY'S BOO K.

AUGUST, 1840.

Written for the Lady's Book.

MR. SMITH.

BY MISS LESLIE.

THOSE of my readers who recollect the story of Mrs. Washington Potts, may not be sorry to learn that in less than two years after the marriage of Bromley Cheston and Albina, Mrs. Marsden was united to a southern planter of great wealth and respectability, with whom she had become acquainted during a summer excursion to Newport. Mrs. Selbourne (that being her new name) was now, as her letters denoted, completely in her element, presiding over a large establishment, mistress of twelve house-servants, and almost continually engaged in doing the honours of a spacious mansion to a round of company, or in complying with similar invitations from the leading people of a populous neighbourhood, or in reciprocating visits with the most fashionable inhabitants of the nearest city. Her only regret was that Mrs. Washington Potts could not "be there to see." But then, as a set-off, Mrs. Selbourne rejoiced in the happy reflection that a distance of several hundred miles placed a great gulf between herself and Aunt Quimby, from whose Vandal incursions she now felt a delightful sense of security. She was not, however, like most of her compatriots, a warm advocate for the universal diffusion of railroads-neither did she assent very cordially to the common remarks about this great invention annihilating both time and space, and bringing "the north and the south and the east and the west" into the same neighbourhood.

Bromley Cheston, having succeeded to a handsome inheritance by the demise of an opulent relative, in addition to his house in Philadelphia purchased as a summer residence that of his mother-in-law on the banks of the Delaware, greatly enlarging and improving it, and adding to its little domain some meadow and woodland; also a beautiful piece of ground which

he converted into a green lawn sloping down towards the river, and bounded on one side by a shady road that led to a convenient landing-place.

The happiness of Albina and her husband (who in the regular course of promotion became Captain Cheston) was much increased by the society of Bromley's sister Myrtilla, a beautiful sprightly and intelligent girl, whom they invited to live with them after the death of her maternal grandmother, an eastern lady, with whom she had resided since the loss of her parents, and who had left her a little fortune of thirty thousand dollars.

Their winters were passed in Philadelphia, where Albina found herself quite at home in a circle far superior to that of Mrs. Washington Potts, who was one of the first to visit Mrs. Cheston on her marriage. This visit was of course received with civility, but returned by merely leaving a card at the door. No notice whatever was taken of Mrs. Potts's second call; neither was she ever invited to the house.

When Cheston was not at sea, little was wanting to complete the perfect felicity of the family. It is true they were not entirely exempt from the occasional annoyances and petty vexations inseparable from even the happiest state of human life—but these were only transient shadows, that on passing away generally served as topics of amusement, and caused them to wonder how trifles, diverting in the recollection, could have really so troubled them at the time of occurrence. Such, for instance, were the frequent visitations of Mrs. Quimby, who told them (after they had enlarged their villa, and bought a carriage and a tilbury,) "Really, good people, now that things are all so genteel, and pleasant, and fullhanded, I think I shall be apt to favour you with my

company the greatest part of every summer. There's no danger of Billy Fairfowl and Mary being jealous. They always let me go and come just as I please; and if I was to stay away ten years I do not believe they'd be the least affronted."

As the old lady had intimated, her visits instead of being "few and far between" were many and close together. It is said you may get used to any thing, and therefore the Chestons did not sell off their property and fly the country on account of Aunt Quimby. Luckily she never brought with her any of the Fairfowl family, her son-in-law having sufficient tact to avoid on principle all visiting intercourse with people who were beyond his sphere: for though certain of being kindly treated by the Chestons themselves, he apprehended that he and his would probably be looked down upon by persons whom they might chance to meet there. Mrs. Quimby, for her part, was totally obtuse to all sense of these distinctions.

One Monday evening, on his return from town, Captain Cheston brought his wife and sister invitations to a projected pic-nic party, among the managers of which were two of his intimate friends. The company was to consist chiefly of ladies and gentlemen from the city. Their design was to assemble on the following Thursday at some pleasant retreat on the banks of the Delaware, and to recreate themselves with an unceremonious fete champêtre. "I invited them," continued the captain, "to make use of my grounds for the purpose. We can find an excellent place for them in the woods by the river side. Delham and Lonsgrave will be here to-morrow to reconnoitre the capabilities of the place."

The ladies were delighted with the prospect of the pic-nic party; more especially on finding that most of the company were known to them.

"It will be charming," said Albina, "to have them near us, and to be able to supply them with many conveniences from our own house. You may be assured, dear Bromley, that I shall liberally do my part towards contributing to the pic-nickery. You know that our culinary preparations never go wrong now that I have more experience, good servants, and above all plenty to do with."

"How fortunate," said Myrtilla Cheston, "that Mrs. Quimby left us this morning. This last visit has been so long that I think she will scarcely favour us with another in less two or three weeks. I hope she will not hear that the pic-nic is to be on our place."

"There is no danger"—replied Cheston-"Aunt Quimby cannot possibly know any of the persons concerned in it. And besides, I met her to-day in the street, and she told me that she was going to set out on Wednesday for Baltimore, to visit Billy Fairfowl's sister Mrs. Bagnell: Also,' said she, it will take me from this time to that to pack my things, as I never before went so far from home, and I dare say I shall stay in Baltimore all the rest of the fall I don't believe when the Bagnells once have me with them they'll let me come away much this side of

winter.'"

"I sincerely hope they will not"-exclaimed Albina-"I am so glad that Nancy Fairfowl has married a Baltimorean. I trust they will make their house so pleasant to Aunt Quimby that she will transfer her favour from us to them. You know she often tells us that Nancy and herself are as like as

two peas both in looks and ways; and from her ac count Johnny Bagnell must be a third pea, exactly resembling both of them."

"And yet"-observed Cheston-" people whose minds are of the same calibre do not always assi milate as well as might be supposed. When too nearly alike, and too close to each other, they fre quently rub together so as to grate exceedingly."

We will pass over the intervening days by saying that the preparations for the pic-nic party were duly and successfully made: the arrangement of the ground being undertaken by Captain Cheston and Lieutenants Delham and Lonsgrave, and completed with the taste, neatness, and judicious arrangement, which always distinguishes such things when done by offi cers, whether of army or navy.

The appointed Thursday arrived. It was a lovely day, early in September: the air being of that delight. ful and exhilarating temperature that converts the mere sense of existence into pleasure. The heats of summer were over, and the sky had assumed its mildest tint of blue. All was calm and cool and lovely, and the country seemed sleeping in luxuriant repose. The grass, refreshed by the August rains, looked green as that of the "emerald isle :" and the forest trees had not yet began to wear the brilliant colours of autumn, excepting here and there a maple whose foliage was already crimsoned. The orchards were loaded with fruit, glowing in ripeness: and the buckwheat fields, white with blossoms, perfumed the air with their honied fragrance. of the season were in full bloom. plumage still lingered in the woods, and were warbling their farewell notes previous to their return to a more southern latitude. The morning sunbeams danced and glittered on the blue waters of the broad and brimming Delaware, as the mirrored surface reflected its green and fertile banks with their flowery meadows, embowering groves, and modestly elegant villas.

The rich flowers

Birds of beautiful

The ground allotted to the party was an open space in the woodlands which ran along an elevated ridge looking directly down on the noble river that from its far-off source in the Catskill mountains, first dividing Pennsylvania from New York and then from New Jersey, carries its tributary stream the distance of three hundred miles, till it widens into the dim and lonely bay whose last waves are blended with the dark-rolling Atlantic. Old trees of irregular and fantastic forms, leaning far over the water, grew on the extreme edge of this bank: and from its steep and crumbling side protruded their wildly twisted roots, fringed with long fibres that had been washed bare by the tide which daily overflowed the broad strip of gray sand that margined the river. Part of an old fence that had been broken down and carried away by the incursions of a spring freshet, still remained, at intervals, along the verge of the bank; and his ladies had prevailed on Captain Cheston not to repair it, as in its ruinous state it looked far more picturesque than if new and in good order. In clearing this part of the forest many of the largest and finest trees had been left standing, and beneath thair shade seats were now dispersed for the company. In another part of the opening, a long table had been set under a sort of marquée, constructed of colours brought from the Navy Yard, and gracefully suspended to the widespreading branches of some noble oaks: the stars and stripes of the most brilliant flag in the world blending

in picturesque elegance with the green and clustering foliage. At a little distance under a group of trees whose original forms were hidden beneath impervious masses of the forest grape-vine, was placed a sidetable for the reception of the provisions as they were unpacked from the baskets; and a clear shady brook which wandered near, rippling over a bed of pebbles on its way down to the river, afforded an unlimited supply of "water clear as diamond spark," and made an excellent refrigerator for the wine bottles.

Most of the company were to go up in the early boat: purposing to return in the evening by the railroad. Others, who preferred making their own time, were to come in carriages. As soon as the bell of the steamboat gave notice of her approach, Captain Cheston, with his wife and sister, accompanied by Lieutenants Delham and Lonsgrave, went down to the landing-place to receive the first division of the pic-nic party, which was chiefly of young people, all with smiling countenances, and looking as if they anticipated a very pleasant little fête. The Chestons were prepared to say with Seged of Ethiopia, "This day shall be a day of happiness" but as the last of the gay procession stepped from the landing-board, Aunt Quimby brought up the rear.

"Oh! Bromley" said Mrs. Cheston, in a low voice to her husband-" there is our most mal-a-propos of aunts-I thought she was a hundred miles off. This is really too bad-what shall we do with her on this day too, of all days-"

"We can do nothing but endeavour as usual to make the best of her"-replied the captain"-but where did she pick up that common-looking man whom she seems to be hauling along with her ?"

Mrs. Quimby now came up, and after the first greeting, Albina and Myrtilla endeavoured to withdraw from her the attention of the rest of the company, whom they conducted for the present to the house; but she seized upon the captain, to whom she introduced her companion by the appellation of Mr. Smith. The stranger looked embarrassed, and seemed as if he could scarcely presume to take the offered hand of Captain Cheston, and muttered something about trespassing on hospitality, but Aunt Quimby interrupted him with "Oh! nonsense now Mr. Smith-where's the use of being so shame-faced, and making apologies for what can't be helped. I dare say my nephew and niece wonder quite as much at seeing me here, supposing that I'm safe and sound at Nancy Bagnell's in Baltimore. But are you sure my baggage is all on the barrow-just step back, and see if the big blue band-box is safe, and the little yellow one; I should not wonder if the porter tosses them off or crushes in the lids. All men seem to have a spite at band-boxes."

Mr. Smith meekly obeyed: and Aunt Quimby taking the arm of Cheston, walked with him towards the house.

"Tell me who this gentleman is" said Captain Cheston. "He cannot belong to any of the Smiths of Market, Arch, Race and Vine, Chestnut, Walnut, Spruce and Pine.'"

"No"-replied Mrs. Quimby-" nor to the Smiths of the cross-streets neither-nor to those up in the Northern Liberties, nor them down in Southwark. If you mean that he is not a Philadelphia man, you've hit the nail on the head-but that's no reason there shouldn't be Smiths enough all over the world.

However, the short and the long of it is this-I was to have started for Baltimore yesterday morning, bright and early, with Mr. and Mrs. Neverwait-but the shoemaker had not sent home my over-shoes, and the dyer had not finished my gray Canton crape shawl that he was doing a cinnamon brown, and the milliner disappointed me in new-lining my bonnet : so I could not possibly go, you know, and the Neverwaits went without me.-Well-the things were brought home last night, which was like coming a a day after the fair. But as I was all packed up, I was bent upon going some-how or other, this morn. ing. So I made Billy Fairfowl take me down to the wharf, bag and baggage, to see if he could find any body he knew to take charge of me to Baltimore. And there, as good luck would have it, we met with Mr. Smith, who has been several times in Billy's store, and bought domestics of him, and got acquainted with him; so that Billy finding this poor Mr. Smith was a stranger, and a man that took no airs, and that did not set up for great things, got very sociable with him, and even invited him to tea. Now, when we met him on the wharf, Mr. Smith was quite a wind-fall for us, and he agreed to escort me to Baltimore, as of course he must when he was asked. So then Billy being in a hurry to go to market for breakfast, (before all the pick of the butter was gone,) just bade me good bye, and left me on the wharf, seeing what good hands I was in. Now poor Mr. Smith being a stranger, and, of course, not so well used to steamboats as our own people, took me into the wrong one; for the New-York and Baltimore boats were laying side by side, and seemed both mixed together, so that it was hard telling which was which, the crowd hiding every thing from us. And after we got on board, I was so busy talking and he a listening, and looking at the people, that we never found out our mistake till we were half-way up the river, instead of being half-way down it. And then I heard the ladies all round talking of a nic or a pic, (or both I believe they called it,) that they said was to be held on Captain Cheston's grounds. So then I pricked up my ears, and found that it was even so; and I told them that Captain Cheston was a near relation of mine, for his wife was own daughter to Mrs. Marsden that was, whose first husband was my sister Nelly's own son; and all about your marrying Albina, and what a handsome place you have, and how Mr. Smith and I had got into the wrong boat, and were getting carried off, being taken up the river instead of down."

"And what did the company say to all this?" inquired Cheston.

"Why I don't exactly remember, but they must have said something; for I know those that were nearest stopped their own talk when I began. And after awhile, I went across to the other side of the boat, where Mr. Smith was leaning over the railing and looking at the foam flying from the wheels (as if it was something new) and I pulled his sleeve and told him we were quite in luck to-day, for we should be at a party without intending it. And he made a sort of humming and hawing about intruding himself (as he called it) without an invitation. But I told him to leave all that to me-I'd engage to pass him through. And he talked something of betaking himself to the nearest hotel after we landed, and waiting for the next boat down the river. However, I would not listen to that; and I made him understand that

any how there could be no Baltimore to-day, as it was quite too late to get there now by any contrivance at all; and that we could go down with the other company this evening by the railroad, and take a fresh start to-morrow morning. Still he seemed to hold back, and I told him that as to our going to the party all things had turned up as if it was to be, and I should think it a sin to fling such good luck aside when it was just ready to drop into our mouths, and that he might never have another chance of being in such genteel company as long as he lived. This last hint seemed to do the business, for he gave a sort of a pleased smile, and made no more objection. And then I put him in mind that the people that owned the ground were my own niece and nephew, who were always crazy to see me and have me with them; and I could answer for it they'd be just as glad to see any of my acquaintance-and as to the eatables, I was sure his being there would not make a cent's worth of difference, for I was certain there'd be plenty, and oceans of plenty, and I told him only to go and look at the baskets of victuals that were going up in the boat; besides all that, I knew the Chestons would provide well, for they were never backward with any thing."

She now stopped to take breath, and Cheston inquired if her son-in-law knew nothing more of Mr. Smith than from merely seeing him in his store.

"Oh! yes-did not I tell you we had him to tea? You need not mention it to any body-but (if the truth must be told) Mr. Smith is an Englishman. The poor man can't help that, you know: and I'm sure I should never have guessed it, for he neither looks English nor talks English. He is not a bit like that impudent Mr. Montague, who took slices out of Albina's big plum-cake hours before the company came, at that great party she gave for Mrs. Washington Potts."

"Pshaw" said Cheston.

"Yes-you may well pshaw at it. But after all, for my own part, I must say I enjoyed myself very much that evening. I had a great deal of pleasant talk. I was sorry afterwards that I did not stay down stairs to the last, to see if all the company took French leave like me. If they did, it must have been quite a pretty sight to see them go. By the bye (now I talk of French leave) did you hear that the Washington Pottses have broke all to pieces and gone off to France, to live upon the money that he made over to his wife to keep it from his creditors?" "But Mr. Smith"-resumed Cheston.

"Why Bromley, what makes you so fidgety! Billy Fairfowl (though I say it that should'nt say it) is not the man to ask people to tea unless he is sure they are pretty decent sort of folks. So he went first to the British Consul, and inquired about Mr. Smith, and described his look and dress just as he would a runaway 'prentice. And the Consul knew exactly who he meant, and told him he would answer for Mr. Smith's being a man of good character, and perfectly honest and respectable. And that you know is quite as much as need be said of any body. So then we had him to tea, quite in a plain way; but he seemed very easily satisfied, and though there were huckleberries and cucumbers and dough-nuts, he did not eat a thing but bread and butter, and not much of that, and took no sugar in his tea, and only drank two cups. And Billy talked to him the whole evening about our factories, and our coal and iron: and

he listened quite attentively, and seemed to understand very well, though he did not say much; and he kept awake all the time, which was very clever of him, and more than Billy is used to. He seems like a good-hearted man, for he saved little Jane from pulling the tea-waiter down upon her head as she was coming out from under the table; and he ran and picked up Johnny when he fell over the rockers of the big chair, and wiped the blood off his nose with his own clean handkerchief. I dare say he's a good soul; but he is very humble-minded, and seems so afraid of saying wrong that he hardly says any thing. Here he comes, trudging along beside the porter; and I see he has got all the baggage safe, even the brown paper parcel and the calico bag. That's his own trunk under all the rest.”

Mr. Smith now came up, and inquired of Captain Cheston for the nearest inn, that he might remain there till a boat passed down for Philadelphia. “Why Mr. Smith"-interrupted Aunt Quimby—“ where's the sense of being so backward. We ought to be thankful for our good luck in getting here on the very day of the pic-nic, even though we did come by mistake. And now you are here, it's all nonsense for you to run away and go and mope by yourself at a country tavern. I suppose you are afraid you're not welcome. But I'll answer for you as well as myself.” Civility to the stranger required that Captain Cheston should second Mrs. Quimby; and he did so in terms so polite that Mr. Smith was induced with much diffidence to remain.

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"Poor man" said Aunt Quimby, in a low voice to the Captain-"between ourselves it's plain enough that he is not much used to being among great people, and he's afraid of feeling like a fish out of water. He must have a very poor opinion of himself, for even at Billy Fairfowl's he did not seem quite at home; though we all tried to encourage him, and I told him myself as soon as we sat down to the teatable, to make just as free as if he was in his own house."

Arrived at the mansion of the Chestons, Mrs. Quimby at first objected to changing her dress, which was a very rusty black silk, with a bonnet to match; declaring that she was sure nothing was expected of people who were on their travels, and that she saw no use in taking the trouble to unpack her baggage. She was, however, overruled by the representations of Albina, who offered to both unpack and re-pack for her. Accordingly she equipped herself in what she called her second-best suit. The gown was a thick rustling silk of a very reddish brown, with a new inside kerchief of blue-tinted book musin that had never been washed. Over her shoulders she pinned her canton-crape shawl, whose brown tinge was entirely at variance with the shade of her gown. On her head was a stiff hard cap trimmed with satin ribbon of a still different brown colour, the ends of the bows sticking out horizontally and scolloped into numerous points. She would not wear her best bonnet lest it should be injured; and fortunately her worst was so small that she found if she put it on it would crush her second-best cap. She carried in one hand a stiff-starched handkerchief of imitation-cambric, which she considered too good to unfold: and with the other she held over her head a faded green parasol.

Thus equipped, the old lady set out with Captain and Mrs. Cheston for the scene of the pic-nic; the

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