Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-02-25
WHOLE No. SIG.


the sleepy moon: or when the day wsi
chilly aud cold, as spring, and even May
days, viii be, Frances oulG invite Mary
tc spend an hour with her in the house.
This gave Mrs. Rives an opportunity of
Judging of her disposition and behavior,
aud she thought 80 iavorably OF both,
that she encouraged the intimacy bo-
tween her and Frances; and very soon,
ol all her paymates, Mary was the ono
that she loved the most. We will now
return to the party.
When Mary entered the room, most
of the girls who had been invited were
already assembled, for, as hus been OBJ.
served, she was obliged to wait for her
gown. AS Frances conducted her to
chair near the fire, the dresses OF tho
children, without her being able to dis
crIminale them, she knew by Ii cursory
glance were rich and handsome; aud con
scIous that her own must render her con-
spicuous from It's neanness she advanced
with Il lalierlDg and lImId air Two NOR,
girls now arrived, and Frances went to
receive them. For lew moInenls after
Mary 5 entrance, there was a profound,
and, 10 her most embarr asslng silence.
Then, Esther Myers, II very healthy
aud very bold looking girl, whose dress
Indicated the wealth at her father aud
good taste OF her mother in its choice
and arrangement, attracted the atlcn-
ton OF Selma North, who sat beside her,
by emphatIcaIly pressing her elbow a.
galnst her arm. AT the same tiae with
hall suppressed aughter, she looked signi.
6cantly towards Mary Woodley. Selma,
having less self command than Eslbsr
uttered outright; while several others
smiled supercIiously, glancing at tho
same time with looks of complacency AT
their own fine dresses. A this was
observed by May, and caused Tho coi"r
Which agitation and excitement had plant
ed on her cheeks to glow still deeper.
BY powerful mental effort, which, child
as she was, the days ot their adversely
had learnt her how to exercise, she for
ced back the tears which began to fill
.hei eyes. a low whisper was neat vep-
tured on by Esther Myers
'How very sorry am, said she, fhat
mas dressnIaker did noi know that the
fashion had changed, before she made
my new dress. feel ashamed of these
sleeves, they are 50 large. Such hean-
tIiul pink und white gingham ,oo-l dnrn
say il was as much as shilling yard
Il guess shall ask ma 10 buy NO
some for ID dress would nol you Esther'
said Selma.
Yes, certainly would. 1 mean to
ask mine for some
And shouldn't you like very elegant
comb teo;' said the ttlerins Selma,
looking al the nmepenny one that confin-
ed the beautiful hair Of Mary.
Yes, il | could only borrow h0tto
seIec, one by, should replied Esther.
Mary heard most of this though spoken
in whisper, and she could no longer re-
strain her tears. AT this time, Frances
re-entercd the apartment, which imme-
dlulely put "a stop to their il.bred mlrh.
Pnstimes which all the lessons OF phllos-
ophy, however sage, can never make
appear 10 children half 50 foolish as de-
lightlul, were now introduced, which
made poor Mary, for while forget her
mean dress, and the others their rich
ones. " hIle they were playing hunt
the squirrel, III very spirited manncr,
Arthur Rlres, who was sixlea,s older
than Frances, aud who hao been AT col
lege one term, and was now at homo
spending the vacation, entered the hall
and renamed "A short tune TO observe
them through the open door.
F. j can tell you what | think, mother
said he, as he entered the room where
she sat sewing, though dare say that
you will imagine that have very SUI
gular ta':e.
i can Judge best when ! have heard
what you think.'
w ell, | have been looking at the chill.
dren, and think Mary WoodIey is the
prellIcsl ci The whole, except Frances,
although, poor gIrl, her dress is far from,
being one 10 show of TO good udvan-
tage.'
Mary is very good girl said Mr..
Rlves IN reply, and that is better than
beng pretty
Arthur would liked 10 have had bis
mother commend his taste, bat was obhy-
cd tn content himself with the answer
she bad gwen hIm, az she mimediuleiy
changed the subject.
Mary returned home much di.plrl,eC.
Instead of being able to Amk OF The
pasllmes she bad been engaged ~, and
which she had really enjoyed, now thar
she was 10 longer excited and animated
by action, her Ihoug hts tenacIousy fixed
themselves upon the sneering laugh aMo
whispers of Esther Myers and Selma
North. Her sleep too, after hours Of
wakelulness, was broken and uneasy -
Her glngham dress appeared 10 be not
only unIashonable, but torn and soilcd,
aud faces, wherever she turned, werU
staring upon her with looks Of rIdicuIo
and ilI-mlith, while whispers of ironicaI
praise were Kissing IN her ears. Tho
next day, Mrs. WoodIey perceived tha,
Mary hun lost her usual quiet cheerful
mes, aud that she had lutte appetite ior
their frugal meals. SuspectRg that ihv
party would prove a painful theme, she
ui hrst iUrbOde To mention ~: but hndmg
ihut heLsp,rNs did not revive, she rcmin-
ded her that she had iuid her pnlbIng a.