Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-04-07
From the Ladies' World of Fashion
THE BELLE OF RANK.
by MRS. C. X. POWELL.

"Brother," said Isabel Melville, "who
was that outlandish creature | saw you with
in Main street yesterday? ! mean the girl
in the plain, white silk bonnet and drab
dress, that leaked as if it had once been a
mummy"
tOhl you mean Emily Paine, suppose,
for she does not dress as fine lady as you
would"
'And who is Emily Paine! Your wash
er-woman or her daughter p said Isabel,
with a toss of her head
Neither" replied Alfred, with quiet
smile, looking his sister in the face, "she is
the daughter of a reduced family, and lives
with her widowed mother. They have here
toEore resided in one Of the northern coun-
ties-lived in a log hut, l believe-but have
now come 10 Cincinnati where they talk Of
opening millinery shop. can promise
them your custom, suppose" continued the
brother, with that same provoking quiet
smile, as if he foresaw the horror which his
fashionable sister would entertain at the idea
Of employing such person for a milliner.
Nor was he disappointed
"My custom p replied the indignant Isa-
bel, "indeed sir, you have odd notions if
you think such fright is capable Of making
my dresses. The idea is preposterous, and
l beg you will never mention it again. She
may do to supply the wives and daughters
of day laborers. But how, in the name of
common sense, did you become acquainted
with her am shocked at your walking
with her in the street."
81 met her last year when | was travelling
to the lakes. You know was thrown from
my horse and confined three weeks with the
injuries Through that illness Emily Paine
was my nurse, and think even you will adj
nit that owe her some gratitude" and he
spoke with deep feeling.
ITO be sure, to be sure-no one ques-
tons it. You ought to get her recommend
ed about, though don't you know how indel-
icate it is for you to do it personally! I'll
mention it to the house-keeper, and tell her
to send all the servant girls there. But for
mercy's sake don't be seen again walking
the street with such an antediluvan relic of
woman, or shall be forced not to recog-
nize YOU" and Isabel sailed from the room
in all the dignity of a lady patroness, imag-
lining that her brother was grateful of course
for the customers she had promised to send
to Emily Paine.
All. Il .ouu looking out into the street
from the window until the retreating foot
steps had died on the hall stairs, when he
burst into hearty laugh.
"My good sis !" he said, Zone cannot
help smiling at her weakness. She is all for
aristocracy, fashion, and the other jargon of
the silly portion of her sex. Poor Emily
you will have hard Judge in her, when we
are married. But faith thought has struck
me, and I'll see what can be done I'll out
wit Isabel, yet, and make her love her new
sister-in-law past all description" and with
face glowing with his new project, he Sci
zed his hat and hurried from the house.
Isabel had an excellent heart, but had one
weakness-the pride of birth an fashion,
She sought no ones acquaintance unless
they came recommended by coat Of arms,
or the fame of the ball room. Her brother
was totally dissimilar in this respect, regard
ed no distinctions except those of merit
and was as willing to shake hands with an
honest laborer as with a millionaire or the
son of duke. On this subject the brother
and sister could never agree and conse-
quently when Alfred met with the accident
10 which he alluded, and was carried to the
house of Mrs. Payne insensible, where he
remained until WE'LL and where he learned
to love her daughter, charmed by her thou
sand good qualities, he said nothing on the
subject to Isabel
Alfred soon reached the humble dwelling
of Mr. Payne, and in moment was sitting
by the side of his betrothed We will not
pause to describe her beauty it was striking
and unrivalled, although half destroyed by
the plain, old fashioned dress which she
wore, and which certainly did merit por-
ton Of Isabel's anathema But then Emily
had already had to struggle with the world,
and poverty and the distance she had lived
from the city were sufficient reasons, in the
eye of her lover, for her costume He had
determined, however, that she should no
longer do injustice to herself.
Il have favor to ask of you, dear Emily
taking her small hand in his, and looking
fondly into her clear blue eyes you must
grant it, before tell what it is, for pledge
you there is nothing wrong in my request
On that pledge promise, said Emily,
'and now what is it, Alfred
There is to be bali this night week,
where all the bellies of the city will be gath
cred, My boon has relation to this ball and
is twofold-irst that you go there with me-
secondly that you wear dress of which
will select both the materials and style of
making. No objection now, you needn't
shake your head-mind you have promised.
It's within of mine, and for the reasons, I'll
tell them some other time
Emily would have argued, but Alfred
playiully silenced her and finally she gave
him her consent to his plan. The week
soon passed away Isabel and her brother
had no more conversation about the miliner;
but the sister was anxious to know who he