Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-01-23
Vol. 4


| little back room of the hotel, but at which
hour of the night they emerged, none knew.
At last the result of these nocturnal meet
ings came out; there was to be grand
seighing party to proceed about ten miles
TO Join the elite of the village of M in
a ball on a new years eve, and many Albright
eye flashed with delighted anticipations of
what the event might bring forth.
Never before were such doings dreamed
of in Welby, and like all innovations on es-
tablished usage, the scheme met with much
opposition. The minister was thankful that
he had no children to be led astray by evil
example, and the deacon's wife was nearly
transformed into a statue by discovering
that her only son, instigated doubtless by
the very Spirit of Evil, was an alder and
abettor of so wicked design; while the
Deacon, like good old Lot, looked neither to
the right nor left, wisely resolving to be
blind TO that which he could not prevent
Time wore on, and the important day drew
near, and young men were seen hurrying
to and fro, hiring sleighs, borrowing bufa-
10 skins and bells, and endeavoring to secure
spirited horses and careful drivers; giving
orders to the shoernakers for elastic pumps,
and the tailors for unmentionables Of an ex-
ira fashionable cut. But. who can paint
the troubles and perplexities of the young
ladies of a country village on such an oc-
casion. Some had cloaks, bonncts, and
dresses to make; others were 7Ux;oIsly alter
ing according to the latest fashion, those
which had already done duty through two
or three seasons: and many murmurred
that their slender means restricted them to d
plainuoss of attire ii suiting their desire for
display.
In a small but tastefu!ly furnished cham
Der, two young ladies We're performing the
morning duties of the toilet, Lucy More
ton, the beauty and belle of Welby, stood
before a mirror arraying profusion Of
light, glossy hair, and as curl after curl was
released from its paper letters and fell
gracefully against cheek round, dimpled
and glowing with the pure roses of health
her deep blue eyes lighted up with an ex-
preston Of triumph, and smile of gratified
vanity stole over her countenance. knew
her well, and was at that time very indul,
gent to her follies, and even to her faults
considering them rather the effects of cir.
cumstances, than the natural promptings Of
her heart. An only child, and motherlesl
from her birth, nearly her whole life had
been passed at boarding school, where
in the acquisition of snowy accomplish
ments, her moral education had been total
ly neglected, while her surprising beauty
obtained for her large portion of tiattery
and adulation. Love of dress was her ru
ling passion; as a natural consequence SIX
became selfish, and scrupled little as to Tx
means by which she attained her ends
When she left school at the age Of seven,
teen, Mr.. Moreton found with surprise anc
modification that his idolized Lucy was a
deficient in temper andprinciple, as she wa
perfect in face and person.
| A short time before her return, Mr.
Moreton had taken an orphan niece to re
side in his family; one who, reared in th'
school of adversely, had come forth from
its stern teachings adorned with graces o
meek and quiet spirit, and he could no
help acknowledging to himself how far su
perior Ellen Varnham was tc his OWL
| daughter, in every thing except beauty, anC
it was fortunate for her that she was plail
in personal appearance, for in that particu
f lar Lucy could not have endured a rival
Her gentleness, her patience and entire dis
I interestedness, soon won the love of tn
: spoiled and capricious girl, if indeed sh
t could love any thing not Immediately con
nectcd with herself. Ellen exercised to
! ward her cousin the prcrogativc of a tru
G friend; she told her of her faults, and if 1T
e cy was somctimcs.angry, she seldom faiIe
o in the end to appreciate the kindness whic
[ dictated the reproof
4 cousin Ellen" said Lucy, as she stoo
before the glass, her occupation, dispIayin
. a finely turned arm, don't You think gol
II bracelets would loo! on my arms? they al
Just coming into fashion, and Clara JONI
- is going to have pair to wear to the ball
- ''Yes," answered Ellen, II dare say the
Il