The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-03-01
M00erm Serbftu1e.
By THE AUTHOR OF LOSING AND WINNING,
'sENsIBILITY,' ETC.

'SENsIBILITY, ETC.
You are late tonight, girls said Mrs.
Berry, as daughters, Lucreia and Diana,en
tered the parlour; Il have been expecting
you for an hour
Not so long as that, mother. though We
are rather late said Lucretia.
I'VE came sooner than we wanted to,
after ALL said Diana; land every one else
seemed as unwilling to come away as we
were. We have not had so delightful par
ty this season, mother
Mrs. N understands Just how to do
these things up. and has husband to help
her, said Mrs. Berry. Were there any
strangers at Mrs. Ms to-nightr
Several answered Lucretia.
Ladies or gentlemen 2 inquired the
mother.
Both, replied Lucretia, but most of The
latter.
Mr.. N always keeps on the alert said
Mrs. Berry, and will secure all the gen.
tlemen there are to be found. Were these
strangers you speak of, the new settlers in
town, or only transient visitersP
ohC ~ iCdot, WI. dfhoI uCSlSuS " UC
a RESIDENT answered Diana.
Is he wOrth culiivating p asked Mrs. Der.
~.
From his appearance should think ia.
vourably of him. said Lucretia with an air
Of cool Indifference, while Diana gave her
look of much meaning.
.Were the ladies much dressed tonight 2
asked Mrs. Berry.
Very much answered Diana 8 never
saw so many rich dresses, jewels, and beau
tiiul flowers worn at party in my life, it
seemed as if each lady had determined to
look her very best
Il hope they did not look better-were
not better dressed than yourselves said the
mother, looking up with some anxiety.
Some of them looked like frights, after
all their cost and palms, said Diana, and
not one of them looked as well as Lu.'
Nonsense = interrupted Lucretia.
And Willie Eaton told me in whisper,
proceeded Diana. that, next to her sister,
Di. Berry looked better than any lady pres
emit
'Oh, you vain little thing' cried Mrs.
Berry with smile of peculiar satisfaction.
Did Lucretia play and sing 2 she inquired.
Yes, delightfully."- said Diana.
You had better go TO bed, mother, said
Lucretia it is getting late, and you look
weary
After proposing several other questions,
quito as important as those that had prece.
ded them, Mrs. Berry took her daughters
advice, and the young ladies were left by
themselves. Scarcely was the door closed
upon them when Diana exclaimed
.Was he not one of the most gentleman
ly-one of the most polished creatures YOU
ever saw, Lucretia 2
Who ? asked Lucretia with great grav'
ity.
Who How provoking you are. Lu. !
Just as if you don't know that | mean Mr..
Parks. But fyou are not frank shall moi
tell you what learned about him tonight I
well, them said Lucretia, { do think
his manners progressing in an unusual de-
gree. Now what did you hear about him
why, heard that he is the only son Of
a very rich father, who did not choose te
spoil him, as he calls it, by letting him have
fortune to begin the world with !; so aftel
giving him first-rate education, he lef
him to depend on his own exertions, Just a:
poorer people have to do
is this all you have learned 7 asked Lu
cre.ia.
'Ono; | learned that he is accounted
rather odd, and is very, rery particular II
his notions of right and wrong
He may be as particular as ne Pleases,
said Lucretia; 'but who told you all this
willie Eaton answered Diana.
Il thought so,' said Lucretia: Willie
seems to know everything about everybody
by instinct; and all he knows he tells YOU
He told me something more, said Ola
ma, (which have great mind to keep te
myself, you are so very sharp
But you will tell said Lucretia: 'yor
could not keep it to yourself if you would
what is it 2
why, he said he would come with hin
tomorrow and give US a CALL
Then he is acquainted with him 7
Certainly he is: they were class-mate.
in college, and graduated together nearly
five years ago, though Willie has scarcely
seen him SINCE
well, we shall neither look nor feel thu
better for sitting up all night, suppose,
said Lucretia so, if you please, We vii
| 60 to our chamber