For the Southern Literary Messenger.
THE REPORTER'S STORY,

OR THE IMPORTANCE OF A SINGLE SYLLABLE.

tised hand, evinced a determination on his part to appear to the very best advantage. Without these, and other affectations, which I observed in Mr. C., no one

How much may depend on a single syllable! What could have mistaken him for other than a well bred gendireful consequences may be produced by the suppres-tleman. His attempts to enforce the acknowledgment sion of even the smallest component part of a word!Gentle reader, be as patient as you are gentle, and the perusal of the following true story will convince you of the correctness of these exclamatory positions.

Late in the autumn of 1826, I left the city of New York in a steamboat for Philadelphia, on my way to Washington, where I was to perform the arduous, if not very dignified duty, of reporter of debates in the Senate of the United States, for the leading journal of that metropolis. My wife accompanied me, and on stepping on board the Swan, (so was our steamboat justly called,) we found ourselves elbowed and jostled by a throng of travellers from various parts of the Union, wending their way, in most instances, to the capitol.

When the steamer had left the wharf, and the haste and bustle of the moment had ceased, I had time to inspect the countenances of the crowd, and recognized with much pleasure, the single familiar face of an officer of the treasury department, with whom I had formed a partial intimacy during a former visit at Washington. We met with much cordiality, and soon became engaged in recalling our recollections of past events.

of the character by aping the airs of fashionable folly, might cause a momentary doubt, whether the whole was not affected. We often perceive similar mistakes in ambitious men brought up in seclusion-but in the present instance, a stranger was soon undeceived by the conversation of Mr. C., which gave assurance of a cultivated mind, and the habit of associating with the learned and the intellectual.

The characteristics of the other lawgiver to whom I have alluded, were less complicated. His was a face as black as night. His beard, whiskers, hair and eyes were coal black-the latter small and piercing. No other feature was worth noticing, and the whole ta ken together, formed, if not an ugly countenance, one which came very nearly up to that epithet. His dress was a pepper-and-salt frock, vest and trowsers, and his hat had evidently passed its prime. In manners he was the opposite of Mr. C. There was a bluntness in his remarks, and a sharpness and brevity in his replies, entirely unaffected, but not altogether pleasing. On a partial acquaintance, you had such doubts of him as you would entertain of a partly tamed bruin.

My friend, it appeared, was personally and officially The young naval officer was like all young naval offiknown to several individuals of our company; and with- cers, with a dash of spirit which he seemed solicitous to out the formality of introduction, I soon found myself display--a stiffness of deportment which evinced that on easy travelling terms with four or five genteel look-the thoughts of discipline could not easily be shaken off, ing men. Among these, the only persons necessary to and an apparent consciousness of the admiration to mention, were a member of the House of Representa- which his profession and his dress entitled him from peotives from Massachusetts, whom I choose to designate ple of every degree. Nevertheless, he was agreeable, as Mr. C.; another from a neighboring state, who will and condescended, most benevolently, to mingle in the be sufficiently known to the reader as Mr. D.; and a conversation with those around him. young naval officer, whose name, if he had one, I have forgotten.

Passing the time between these companions, and an occasional peep into the ladies' cabin to see that nothing A free and easy, gossiping conversation was kept up was wanting to the comfort of my wife, (who was dewith considerable vivacity by this group of strangers, terred by the chilliness of the atmosphere, from joining the topics of which were various. Politics and theatri- me on deck) the journey was uncommonly agreeable, cals predominated-New York was then, as she is now, until we reached Philadelphia. At that city my treasuthe focus of both. The election of De Witt Clinton for ry friend left us, not so much regretted as he deserved the last time, as governor of the state, over a young and to be, because his place was supplied by the new compopular candidate, supported by the fragments of seve-panions to whom I have alluded. ral exploded parties—the rising importance of the anti- We were shortly transferred to another steamboat, in masonic party-the Italian Opera, and Signorina Gar-which, after about two hours' delay, we proceeded to cia, then in great vogue-the last appearance of Edmund New Castle. A change of considerable extent had taKean, after his fatal frolic in Canada, and the first ap-ken place in our company. We had lost many faces to pearance of Macready, who had just then made his de- which we had been familiar during the morning-and but on the American stage, to surprise and puzzle the we had gained many others which wore the first gloss people by a style as new as it was polished and severe. of newness. I have already said that I had not been Such subjects beguiled the hours--and as I had long formally introduced to the gentlemen whose acquainbeen almost as conversant with the green room as the tance had been pressed upon me-yet we had learned editor's closet, I was enabled to contribute my full share each other's names, and used them with freedom. Proto the gossip of our little coterie. bably I was the only incognito among them--the only My Massachusetts acquaintance was a stout, well man whose profession was unknown, and therefore the built, middle-aged man, with a bold and open counte-only one liable to doubt or misconception. But of such nance, which expressed good humor, and not a little a chance I did not then dream. self complacency. It seemed as if one could read on Among the new passengers were two ladies, one quite that face the conviction of its owner, that he was born young, although the mother of two or three children. to be a member of congress, a great man, and a clever She was pretty, and, as I afterwards found, very talkafellow. A travelling cap, worn carelessly, or rather with tive. The other was a matron more advanced in years, a careful affectation of negligence, on one side of his and with a still larger number of children. Her dress head, and a slight rattan, which he twirled with a prac-was half mourning, her manner grave and lady-like. VOL. I.-10

With these ladies I perceived that my wife had entered About eight in the evening, we reached Frenchtown, into conversation on their first arrival on board, and my where our supper was waiting on board the Trenton. occasional visits to the cabin shewed me that their gos-Having despatched the meal with a good appetite, and sip, was kept up with much spirit. Returning from one the ladies having withdrawn for the evening, the enI had of these calls, a strange gentleman addressed me, and gagement for a game of whist occurred to me. asked if my name was S-; I replied in the affirma- not, up to that time, observed any one of our party, and tive, and after a very civil preface, he requested, (as II set out to collect them together for our match. was the only gentleman with a lady on board,) that I I first encountered Mr. C. pacing up and down the would give my protection to a female acquaintance of cabin with great gravity. Walking up to him, I rehis and her family, who were on their way to Wash-minded him of the game of whist, proposing that we ington. He observed that he should go no farther than should collect our party. To my great surprise, the Baltimore, and from that place he would be obliged to manner of the man towards me was entirely changed. me to take charge of them. I readily assented: we He gave me a glance which looked exceedingly like conwent to the ladies' cabin, where I was introduced with tempt--replied to my question with a rude and hasty all due form, to Mrs. M., the elder and graver of the two negative, and turned upon his heel. ladies already mentioned. She had made herself ac quainted with my wife, and all parties seemed pleased with the arrangement.

I was astonished, as well I might be, at receiving a cut direct from a man, who but a few hours before had lavished upon me so large a share of familiarity and attention. I was chagrined at his contemptuous manner, and I was puzzled to divine its cause. Indeed, my perplexity was far greater than my chagrin.

On going above, I found my friends, the two members of congress and the naval officer, laying plans for a game of whist on board the Trenton steamboat, which was to take us from Frenchtown. I was asked to make one of the party, and assented. A few hours brought us to New Castle, where stages were in readiness to transport us across the isthmus, to Frenchtown--for it must be remembered, that there was then neither canalhe wheeled partly round, fixed his small black eye upon or rail road between the two points.

While I was pondering the matter, I caught a glimpse of my other congressional friend Mr. D., at some distance from me. I went to meet him, and put to him the same question I had addressed to Mr. C. As I spoke,

Good heavens, said I internally-what can this mean?

Is it the moon

That comes more near to us than she was wont,
And makes men mad?

me for a moment, with a scrutinizing glance, and withAs the oldest passengers, I presume, my wife and I out vouchsafing one word in reply, wheeled back into were seated in stage No. 1, with a motley group of per- his former position, and walked from me with a stateliness and decision of step, which precluded any farther sons. Not one of our newly formed acquairtanees were with us, and in our carriage there was not an individual conference. There could be no mistake in this. It was with whom five minutes conversation could be sustain-the ne plus ultra of cutting. It was more than the cut ed. I made repeated efforts to arouse our fellow pas-direct--it was the cut irrevocable, immutable, eternal! sengers, but after receiving each time a monosyllabic rebuff,- —a crusty yes or no, as the case might be,-1 relinquished the attempt, and confined my endeavors to make myself agreeable to my good woman, who gave me an amusing detail of a conversation while on board If, thought I, the young "Middie" plays me the same It is the steamboat, between herself and the younger of the game, it will be evident that they act in concert. two ladies to whom I have already referred. Mrs. R., worth testing--and apropos to the thought, he just then I assumed as much ease as the as my wife informed me, had favored her with a detail- passed quite near me. ed history of her family, her husband, children and her- circumstances of the case would permit, (for it will not self, with all things thereunto appertaining, even down be thought remarkable that I had been considerably disto the fashion of her last new bonnet. Having thus ex-concerted)--and reminded him of our contemplated hausted herself by this unsolicited confession, or as the game of whist. He looked at me with cool indifference, Scotch say, having "made a clean breast," she remain- as though he had never seen me before in his life, obed silent, apparently expecting a similar display of served that a party could not be made up, and, waiting frankness from her auditress. But my wife did not readi-no further question, passed me, whistling some naval ly recognize the principle of reciprocity in such cases--air, and looking in another direction. and accordingly gave the conversation a different turn. This, however, failed to meet the views of the commu-plexity. But it was an evil which must be borne,-for cative lady. Nothing short of mutual confidence seem- however annoying I might find such treatment--the caed to tally with her notions of politeness to strangers. price of strangers in being at one moment as familiar as And finding that my wife still hung back, she proceeded old friends, and withdrawing their familiarity at the to cross-examine her upon her domestic affairs, family next, was not good argument for a quarrel. I could connexions, and most closely on my objects and pursuits have no claim for satisfaction or explanation, on an inin life, and purpose in visiting the capitol at this season.dividual to whom I had not been formally introduced, To all these questions my wife answered briefly, but and with whom my intimacy was of less than twelve hours standing, for choosing truly, although with reluctance.

I was much diverted at this novel specimen of female curiosity, and the tactics observed in its gratification. It appeared to me uncommonly equitable--for what could evince greater fairness than to prelude an investigation of the private affairs of your neighbor, by a voluntary detail of your own.

This last rebuff completed my indignation and per

"to face me out of his acquaintance,
And grow a twenty years removed thing
While one could wink."

I had schooled myself to patience under these undeserved inflictions, and was preparing to retire, when I was called to the door of the ladies' cabin by the wait

companion had observed that she was to be dropped at the residence of some relative, and moreover stated that it was a boarding house. But she avoided proposing that we should quarter with her; and not until I had seen her safely within the house, and was returning to the stage, did she mention our plight to her relative. The latter was immediately urgent that we should remain at her house, declaring that she had several unoccupied rooms, which were entirely at our disposal.

ing maid-and met there my wife, who seemed in a interminable streets of the federal metropolis. Our lady state of tribulation not inferior to my own. She said that since our arrival on board the steamboat, the two ladies who had been previously so kind and social, had scarcely noticed her, and had repelled every attempt at a renewal of former civilities; in truth, that she had been treated by her companions in much the same manner as I had been by mine. This was an additional mystery. How could it happen that contumely and disrespect were cast upon us from parties who were strangers, having no connexion with each other? The mystery seemed unfathomable, and after wearying myself with vain endeavors to conceive some adequate cause for the altered conduct of our fellow travellers, I fell asleep, and dreamed of myriads of self-important members of congress, and self-admiring naval officers.

This new position of affairs was highly gratifying, and we anticipated all the comforts of a good supper, and comfortable lodgings, with a satisfaction which can best be conceived by those to whom those commodities have, at times, been wanting. My wife was safely seated in the well warmed dining room, the baggage deposited in the hall,--and I took the opportunity afforded by a delay in the appearance of supper, to step across the street, and inform the gentlemen with whom I was engaged, of my arrival, which was a day or two later than they had anticipated. On my return to the boarding house, to my utter astonishment, I saw my wife standing at the street door, in her bonnet and cloak, while my trunks were piled upon the steps.

We found ourselves at the wharf at Baltimore in the morning, and in the scramble to disengage our baggage from the mass heaped upon deck, (to which every traveller is premonished by the oft-repeated advertisement that "baggage is at the risk of the owner")-I met my whilom friends, but without the slightest token of recognition on either side. The talkative lady looked grave when I approached her, and was silent, ("an excellent thing in woman")—the older matron, to whom I was to act as protector for the remainder of her journey, shrunk from me as I advanced with the salutation of the morning; and when all was prepared for our de-mence instead of being ended? parture from the steamboat, she declined my proffered We cannot remain, said she, in a tone of chagrin. arm, as I conducted her to the carriage. To my wife Cannot! What is the reason? Are the people mad she was equally distant,—nor did a sumptuous break-here, as well as on the road?

a

Hey dey, said I, what does all this mean-why are you not warming yourself at the fire, instead of standing here muffled up, as if your journey was now to com

I am not so certain of that. She appears to be infected with the same disease under which all our travelling companions have labored. People seem actually to avoid us as though we carried the plague about in our garments. She bowed me out of the dining room with as little ceremony as she would have shewn to a mendicant.

fast at Barnum's, break the ice of her reserve, or rather, It would seem so.. I had scarcely been five minutes her aversion. Certainly, thus far, our society did not in the house, when the landlady, who was at first so promise to be agreeable on either side. The lady kept eager that we should lodge with her, changed her mind, as far aloof from us as circumstances would allow, avoid- and informed me that she could not accommodate us. ing every opportunity of conversation-and we were But she will not turn us out supperless, I hope, such soon as silent as she, from a mingled feeling of pride and a night as this? resentment. We embarked in a stage about mid-day-the roads was infamous, the weather chilly and obscure. We had the carriage to ourselves, and the ride was therefore the more gloomy, as among a promiscuous party we might have found some one willing to cheer the way by conversation: but as we were situated with our taciturn companion, excepting in an occasional colloquy with the driver, our organs of speech were unem- Well, well, said I, come in out of the air, and I will ployed, and during the greater part of our journey, we reason with her. So saying I led the way to the prinmight have been taken for a party of mutes. As we cipal apartment in the house, which served as parlor, drew near to Washington, this reserve wore away in drawing room, and dining room--where the landlady measure. Whether the lady's tongue became impatient soon made her appearance. She was a small, thin-faced of so long a period of inaction, or whether her assumed woman, her form wiry and attenuated; her motions dignity gave way under a requisition upon it too great rapid and nervous; countenance much wrinkled, and of for its power-I know not. Certain it is, that she oc- most forbidding expression, and a voice from which no casionally deigned a remark, and sometimes conde-art could have extracted a sound bearing the remotest scended to put interrogatories to me, relative to the distance to the city, and similar grave matters. It was dark when we arrived. I had ordered the coachman to set me down at Brown's-but I was informed that there was not a vacant room in the house, and also that every other hotel in the city was full. This overflow of company as I afterwards ascertained was caused by the assemblage at Washington of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Convention, adding some hundreds to the ordinary visiters of the period. To add to the discomfort of wanting lodgings, it was raining with great violence, and I dreaded a drive through the

relationship to harmony. Her dress was evidently suited to the season, when members of congress are seeking quarters for the winter, and when those who have them at disposal, are interested in putting the best possible face on every thing appertaining to their establishments. Her costume was, a silk frock, stretched upon her bony frame, and a yellow gauze turban, of monstrous size, decked with crimson ribbons, perched upon the top of her head, which thus seemed enveloped in "fire and brimstone:"--These awkwardly worn habiliments betrayed the fact that the lady had passed the day in attending the calls of the law-givers of the land,

with the laudable design of enhancing the value of her accommodations, in the eyes of some rustic Solon, but newly caught, by the genteel appearance of their mis

tress.

ters not to be mistaken. As we entered, the boy motioned his mother, who joined him at the door, where they held a whispering colloquy for a few moments. While they were thus engaged, I learned from my wife I addressed this formidable figure, with an inquiry | that there had been no change in the sentence of excluwhether we could not remain with her for the night, re-sion, altho' no new lodgers had made their appearance. ferring to the state of the weather as rendering it almost impossible to make search for lodgings that evening.

The lady eyed me with great scrutiny, and there was an elevation of her nasal organ, while looking at me, which distorted to a more hideous expression than was natural, her weather-beaten visage.

The whispering ceased, and the landlady approached me. What was my astonishment at perceiving that the gorgon face, before so hideous with frowns, was puckered into the queerest attempt at a smile that was ever before witnessed on the human countenance.

But this was not all. Not only did her face exhibit these convulsive efforts, but the form approached us, curtseying with a most unhappy imitation of grace.

"Indeed," said she, "you can't stay, and that's all about it. Three members have just sent down to say that they would take the rooms what they look'd at this morning, and that they must be fix'd up this very night. So you see you can't stay. It a'nt my fault-pense. The boy had kept his promise it seemed, for he and so I can't say no more about it.”

"Then we must look for other lodgings. But you can give us supper. The members of Congress have not bespoken that also, I presume."

"Well-no. You can eat your suppers here I spose." "And this lady can remain here until I can obtain other quarters."

The devil is in the hag-said I internally. What new trick is to be played now? I was not long in sus

or some one else, actually had "worked the old woman over." She affirmed that she had just received messages from the three members, stating that they were not in haste for the rooms-and she assured us they were entirely at our service.

We knew that this was a fiction; but we were fatigued, and disposed to take the good the Gods provided

"Well, I've no particular objection to her sitting here for us, without much question. We were shewn to our awhile." apartments and slept soundly, forgetting all the vexations of the day.

Just then supper was served, and we partook of it. Our travelling companion was at the table, but scarcely The next morning, after having exhausted ourselves recognized us, and the landlady was barely civil. When in wonderment at the freaks which had been played off the meal was over, I requested the latter to allow a ser-upon us, I left my wife, to make some calls in the city. vant to accompany me in my search, as I was ignorant I had not been long absent, when she received a visit of the location of the principal boarding houses. Her from Mrs. M., our travelling companion, who, after the son, a pert lad of about thirteen, volunteered to pilot usual salutations had passed, seemed struggling to supme, and without delay we sallied out. press a disposition to laugh, which my wife took to be another mad freak, to be classed with those she had previously witnessed.

It occurred to me as we passed up Pennsylvania avenue, that I had forgotten to deliver a message of some importance to my employers, when I called to announce my arrival, and I turned a little out of my way to the office of the N- — I, where, while I was closeted for a few moments with one of the editors, my juvenile guide remained in the clerk's office.

The propensity at length overcame her, and she burst into a fit of uncontrollable laughter, which lasted for many minutes.

Indignant as my wife was disposed to be, at such an unexpected explosion of mirth, from a lady who had for

On leaving the office, I was surprised at the altered two days treated her with haughty reserve, if not absotone of the lad.

"You had better go back," said the manakin: "it is too late to get lodgings to-night. My mother can keep you as well as not."

"But she has refused to do so, and insists that it is out of her power."

"Never mind that. Go back with me--I'll work the old woman over. See if I don't tell you the truth." "You are a promising lad," said I, "but a little too forward. Let us go on."

Finding me determined to prosecute the search, he yielded, and we called at several houses; but all were full. Against my will, I was forced to return, with the resolution of making good my quarters for the night, at any rate, with or without the consent of the lady of the house. My guide assured me that he could "manage the old woman," and told me to give myself no uneasiness on the subject.

After a dreary walk, we reached the house. There sat my wife with her bonnet still on, for no one had asked her to remove it-and there sat the lady in the brimstone turban, and fiery ribbons, in whose ugly visage the words "turn out” seemed written, in charac

lute contempt, she bore it with patience, and awaited in silence the conclusion of her visiter's merry humor, and such explanation of its cause as she might choose to give.

Every thing must have an end—and the lady at length ceased her laughter, from absolute exhaustion.

"My dear madam,—she gasped out-my dear madam--this is very rude-very rude indeed. You must be surprised at such conduct, and I beg your pardon

but"

"It would be an unnecessary dissimulation, to say I am not surprised; but I presume I shall soon learn to be surprised at nothing."

"You really then, think you have been associated for the last few days, with persons little better than bedlamites."

"I have certainly been exposed to strange conduct.” "Well, I have come to explain the whole mystery. Do not be offended at my mirth. I could not resist it. The laugh was more against myself than you-and the whole affair is so ridiculous, that you will laugh too, when you know the truth."

"I own that I have a strong curiosity to be acquainted

"But, said I, you must be mistaken, I'm sure. I am brought your husband to Washington; and I relucto go to Washington with him." tantly told her what I had heard. At the bare idea of ""There must be some mistake,' said the two mem-lodging a Porter, her feathers bristled up like those of a bers of Congress, and the young naval officer, all in a Barbary hen. Her yellow turban looked blue at the breath." idea of such an indignity. She protested that she would “'Why we have engaged to make up a game of have no Porters in her house, nor no such rapscallions whist with him this evening,' said the latter." "Certainly!' said one member of Congress." 'Certainly!' said the other member of Congress. 'Oh, there must be some mistake, my good madam. Menial capacity! Impossible!'