Below the Surface.

Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 1977, 10 June 1876, Page 6 (Supplement)

Below the Surface.

THE HIDDEN MISERIES, OF GILDED LIFE IN ! WASHINGTON '

■To return to this inordinate love of display, which has grown up mushroom-like tho last ten years, let' mo illustrate, to what lengths humanity will run when appearances in society have to be kbpt up no matter at what sacrifice. : • : ■ .

A gentleman went to a pawnbrokers' shop in this city a little while ago, three to meet a friend who was in considerable pecuniary etnbarrrssment, and needed the. assistance of '■ mine unole' to extricate him from his difficulties. The gentleman sat awaiting the arrival of his friend' in a little anteroom off from the main; office,: and while musing upon the uncertainties of private finances, and prayingj for a speedy return to specie payment, as far as he was concerned, was roused from his reveries by the sound of a familiar voice attuned to feminine lips. Gazing through a small loop-hole, he recognized, to his astOnisment, a fashionably-dressed acquaintance."1 His curiosity was'aroused - to know Why she should be conversing so coaxingly and intently with a pawnbroker. His wonder-struck eyes lighted upon ian exquisite locket studded with' beautiful diamonds, which' she was holding an* her outstretched hand,' while his astonished oars heard her^plead with the pawnbroker to give her :a certain amount for it.' '■ My family arc-actually without the necessaries of life,'said the lady gloved to lierfcct^ tion and1 dressed in silks and velvet. ' Our credit is exhausted and my husband is a bankrupt, but wo musn't let people* know to' what straits wo are reduced,* and we must- keep up appearances at-all hazards, and you mnstgive mo theinioney. I ask' for.' After a great deal of 'talk on both sides, the locket was left, awaiting,like the ancient Jews, the advent; of its redeemer, and the lady left the room' with only half the money: she had hoped andbegged "for. The gentleman stunned" at the revelation, and feeling a pity for the unfortnnato woman, kept thinkingiof ■ her the entire day. In the eveningl a grand, party whs given.at the English/Ministers,.and Mr. Blank went with a'fashionable crowd invited to the hospitable rnamion... After making his devoirs to the- hostess,' whom should his ey fall upon but the lady, acquaictanoo who had made her first fashionable call at the house' with' the three golden balls. He stopped up to her andfound' her, as usual,' elegantly, lattired,. easy'of manner, and smiling with) unconcdrried serenity., .t After, conversing for a while he said, 'Pardon me, my dear madam, but, alth.ou.gu, yqui,' persona j_

appearance is charming, yet I miss something from your necklace, that lovely locket I always admired so much.' 1 Oh, yes!' she replied with san" a feoid, I feel so worried about that locket. I sent it to New York to have the gems reset, as some of them were a little loose, and I did not dare to trust them with any of our bungling jewelers. I am really worried at its lengthy detention. It should have^been returned ere this.' And she actroitly changed the topic uf conversation to safer channels, and no one but Mr. B. knew that the pendant had brought fpod'tb the 'door ', and perhaps kept the bailiff'bn the outside, '■',' '! ,