Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-04-14
From the Ladies World of Fashion.
THE BELLE OF RANK.
BY MRS. c. X. POwNELL


by MRS. c. X. POWELL
Brother said Isabella Melville, 'who
was that outlandish creature saw you with
in Main street yesterday? l mean the girl
in the plain, white silk bonnet, and drab
dress, that looked as if it had once been on
amummy.'
sOh, you mean Emily Payne, I suppose,
for she does not dress as fine lady like you
would e..
'And who is Emily Payne? Your wash
er-woman or her daughter!' said Isabella,
with toss of her head
Neither replied Alfred, with quiet
smile, looking his sister in the face, she is
the daughter of reduced family, and lives
with her widowed mother. They have here
tofore resided in one of the northern counties
lived in log hut believe--but have now
come to Cincinnati, where they talk of OPEN
ing millinery shop. l can promise them
your custom, suppose continued the BROTH
,er with provokingly quiet smile, as if he
forcsaw the horror, which his fashionable Sis
ter would entertain at the idea of employing
such person for milliner. Nor was he
disappointed.
MY custom ! replied the indignant lisa.
bella, indeed you have odd notions if you
think such fright is capable of making my
dresses. The idea is preposterous, and
beg you will never mention it again. She
.nay DO 80 s-rpiy tho w;,os and daughters OF
day laborers. But how in the name of COM
mon sense, did you become acquainted with
her? l lam shocked at you for walking with
her in the street,
Il met her last year when was travelling
10 the lakes. You know was thrown from
my horse, and confined three weeks from
the injuries. Through that illness Emily
Payne was my nurse; think even you will
admit that owe her some gratitude and he
spoke with deep feeling.
TO be sure, to be sure--no one ques.
tons it. You ought 10 get her recommend
ed about, though don't you see how indeli-
cate it is for you to do it personally? I'll
mention it to the housekeeper, and tell her
to send all the servant girls there.--Now that
I'll do-no thanks, but, for mercy's sake
don't be seen walking the streets with such
an antediluvian relic of a woman, or shall
be forced not to recognize you,' and Isabelle
sailed from the room in all the dignity ofa
lady patroness, imagining that her brother
was grateful of course for the customers she
had promised to send to Emily Payne.
Alfred stood looking out into the stree
from the window until her retreating foot
steps had died on the hall stairs, when HI
burst into a hearty laugh.
my good sis = he said, 'one cannot helE
smiling at her weakness. She is all for fash
ion, arstocracy, and the other jargon of the
silly portion of her sex. Poor Emily, you
will have hard judge in her when we art
married. But faith thought had strucl
me, and I'll see what can be done. I'll out
wit Isabella yet, and make her love her new
sister-in-law past all description and with
face glowing with his new project, he sezet
his hat and hurried from the house.
Isabella had an excellent heart, but hat
one weakness-the pride of birth and fash
ion. She sought no ones acquaintance un
less they came recommended by coat 0
arms, or the fame of the ballroom. He
brother was totally dissimilar in this respect
regarded no distinctions except those of mer
it; and was as willing to shake hands witt
the honest laborer as with a millionaire O
the son of duke. On this subject the broth
er and sister could never agree; and con
sequenhy when Alfred met with the acciden
- 20 which he alluded, and was carried to tn
i.ouse MRS. Payne insensible, where h
remained until well, and where he learne,
20 love her daughter, charmed by her thou
SAINT good qualities, he said nothing on tn
subject to Isabella.
Aired soon reached the humble dwellin
of Ms. Payne, and in moment was sittin
by the ide of his betrothed. We will nc
pause to describe her beauty, it was strikin
and unriWlled though half destroyed b
the plain I'D fashioned dress which she wore
l and which certainly did merit portion g
Isabella's athena. But then Emily had al
ready had to struggle with the world an
poverty, and he distance which she live
from the city wve sufficient reasons, in tn
eyes Of her lover, for her costume. He ha
determined, howevv, that she should no Ion
, ger do injustice to ho.self
Il have favor to as, of you, dear EN-
w. he said taking her small hand in his, an
looking fondly into her blu. eyes, you mu.
grant Il before tell what it is, for I wi
pledge you there is nothing wrong in my re
quest
sOn that pledge PROMISE said Emily
'and now what is ii, Alfred =
There 10 to be ball this night wee
where all the bellies ofihe city will be gait
cred. My boon has relation to this ball al
tvofoId-frst, that you 20 there will! me-
seeIedly, that you wear dress OF which