The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-12-19
lntim ate Friend S.
OR, WOMAN AND SCANDAL.

APRIzE STORY In THE DOLLAR NEWSPAPER
THAT mercy to others show,
That mercy show TO me-
"Mamma, AirG. Grant is down stairs" said Nora
We're to her mother.
Dear me!' exclaimed Mrs We're, in tone Of
vexaiion, "what can bring her out this damp morn
lnS-Just as am in the midst of cutting out this
work, too. Well! suppose must go down."
81 believe she always chooses disagareable weather
on purpose" rejoined Nora, for the sake of catch
ing us unPrepared had just time to make my es.
cape before she shown in.'
And in an other moment Mrs We're was in the par.
or receiving her friend with all the cordially in the
world, il she had been the very person above al,
others that she had most desired to see; and Nora
too her dislike to Mrs Grant being conquered by her
love of gossip and desire hear the particulars of
last nights ball which she had been prevented from
attending, joined them presently.
'''I was sorry, Nora" said Mrs. Grant, ''that YOU
were not at Mrs Kendals last evening l, was the gay
est party we have had this season.
81 was sorry indeed SAID Morn, mot to DO there
We were engaged with some friends a, home Who
the belle? 80
''Oh, Miss Linden, of course. She is always the
pre,tiest, best dressed and most admired girl wher-
ever she-is Young liamil,on was devoted to her."
Now, as Miss Linden Morals avowed rival and
'iavorite uversion," and MIR Hamilton her own par
'icuar adm.cr, she well knew that Mrs Grant gave
her this agreeable piece Of information in the hope
Of saying something dsagreeable, SO she answered
with the frunkest expression and most cordal tone
''She always looks beautifully, aud l know Mr.
Hamilton admires her,
Had she lived in the Palace ofTruth which, for
tunatey for her and the rest of u.s. none of us do,
she would have replied,
''she neverlooked pretty in her life, and Ham-
ton don't admire her at all, and doubt whether he
ever danced with her last night She however
conented herself with asking Miss Grant, who dane
ed wrechedy and seldom got partners, whether
she wallzed great DEAL to which the young lady
replied,
mo, she seldom waltzed. 1t laid one open to SO
many observations
Nora, who watzed like sylph, could not let that
pass and she replied with spirit, that she did not
think Once upon time it might have been So !
but II that was old fashioned and considered in bad
taste now, and proceeded to euogize the waltz
ing ola fashionable foreigner whom she pronounced
beside Gas if were quite secondary every agreea-
ble,' and asked if Miss Grantdidnot find him so.
Miss Grant, who spoke French very nperfectly-
which Nora snres.dy suspected when she asked the
question although she set up for lingust and u |
blue, said she did not take much interest il these
foreigners, as she thought they generally very
frivolous; when the conversation was interrupted by
the entrance of Mrs Belmont, who was n mutual |
friend of both families, vhereupon very general and
spirited crque was passed upon their friends and
quaintunces at large
"Nora,'' continued Mrs. Belmont, "your dress at
the assembly was perfeet-your flowers exquiste-I j
never saw you look better.' Whereupon Mrs. |
Grant turned her cold, gray eyes Nora, and scru-
tinzing every article she had on, from her collar 10
her shoe strings, If she taking inventory of
every thread she wore, and wondered whsre the
money came from, said slowly and MOTTO approv-
ngly,
eyes, Nora is always cxqusitoy dressed" rose
md took her leave.
''That is more than can be said Of her or Lucy"
said Nora, the door had quite closed upon her
parting visitors.
lyon may say that, dear" rejoined Mrs Belmont.