The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1844-05-10
CHARLOTTE. n. &. MAY no.

r But you are married, and il does no
3 make so much difference to you how yot
, dress; Just see how becoming this is
Aud she turned from he glass, at which
d. she had been arranging the mantle II
z graceful folds over her we'll shaped figure
and Mrs. Hinton could not help ncknowl
. edging that It vas very becoming indeed
Nevertheless, She still attempted 10 per
, suade her young friend to forego the pur
, chase, Tor she knew that Carollne's father
was very much involved in debt, and il was
, feared every day he would stop paymcn,
although, as it appeared, like many othei
gentlemen whn keep the state Of their Affairs
secret from those mos, interested in The
truth, has wife and daughter were utterly
ignorant OF The circumstance. Bot she
found her arguments Of no elect. Indeed
Caroline eudeavoured TO persuade Mrs.
Hinton herself TO retain the velvet she was
about TO carry back. But she had too
much strength Of mind TO he led away by
her vanity, wb ben she knew that her decis
ION was light, although she could not re.
press womanlsh feeling Of regret at The
thought Of resignIug SO becoming an aril
Gle Of apparel.
Mrs. Hinton was so much grieved and
shocked at the selfshncss Of her Young
friend, that she thought she could never
again feel toward her the same affection
She had hitherto experienced She made
her confess that the fifty dollars her mother
had gwen her, with " hich 10 purchase the
wished for mantle, was o sum iha, had been
appropriated TO younger sister, that she
might take lessons 10 drawing, an art Of
which size was passlonatcly fond, and for
which she had a decd d genius. She
could not foibear hinling to Caroline ,batn
time might come when the talents OF her
sister would be put in requisiion for more
important purposes than those Of mere
amusement but her persuasions were lost
upon he mind Of tie thoughtless and selfish
g'r, aud she saw her depart, with pain, 10
iuiii her intention.
Mrs. Hinton found no difficulty 10 return
ing the mantle, aud after she had left the
store she wondered how she could have
been so foolish TO suffer a moments uueasi.
ness on such a triflpg subject. The words
Of Mr.. Morton had made a deep impression
upon her. aud as she looked at the multi
tude of poor housoless wretches, who
thronsed Broadway, begging for charity,
she ieIi hov sluful II was 10 waste IN ex
tfayagance that Which would bring comfort
and happiness TO SO many hearts. When
her husband returned 10 dinner, she, like
q true hearted vie. made confession 20
10 him Of her folly Of The DAY before, her
repentance, and The pnrpose for hich she
had just visited. Mr.. Ilinton was
man Of sense and intelligence. lie had Of
ten deplored his wfc's iundness for display,
but she vas 50 young when he married
her, and had been so peitcd from her child
hood by fond mother, aud vas withal so
lovely and interesting, that he could moi fud
Il 10 his hratt to deny her any eradication,
trusting that as she grew older her tastes
would change. lie did not know that the
passion for dress is one which Increases
with indu leeucc, like all other bad habits,
aud Is tue hardest TO overcome in the female
heart, particularly, as was the case with
Mrs. Hinton, Wie ere there arc no children
to occupy the time and attention. So de-
lighted 1as lac with the lngeuousness Of her
confession, that he presented her With
sum Of money for charitable purposes, tell
ing her thal he had thai day recovered
bad debt which he had long since Jcspaircd
of, aud consequently no longer entertained
the fears = hich he had mentioned 10 her in
the morning.
Let US return 10 Mr.. Norton. lie could
not avoid anticipating the calling hour q
lhtIe soimpalient was he to meet again the
object that had So much fascinated him the
night before. is he entered the hall, he
heard the sound of music, and being shown
into the drawing room, found the fair Emf
" evidently gtyIos lessons on the piano to
hlllc sister. Although atiircd in q simple .
morning dress, she did not appear less love
" than hls memory had pictured, and the
bright blush winch his unexpected appear
auce called up, made her not less interesting
IN his eyes. She dismissed The little girl
with mesSage to her mother who soon ap-
pcafed and received him kindly. As he 4
glanced around and observed the air Of Gle I
gance, though not Of display, that perVaded
the establishment, he could not help recall. I
ing Miss tIoward's words about the old
cloak, and his curiosity was excited TO
know what could be her reason for wearing
garment questionable enough to attract
observation, Aner making as long call
as he dared upon first acquaintance, he
took leave, not without being invited by
Mrs. ilarwood to call again, nn invitation 10
which he cordially responded. Not many
days nller, as Mr.. Norton was walking IN
Broadway, he met Miss llarwood, and join
ed her Immediately. lie had walked for
some time without at all observing her
dress, when Miss La Mode suddenly emerg
ed from a shop, and passed on before them,
arrayed in her superb velvet cloak, with
feathers, &c, 10 the height Of fashion,
The conversation a, the party instantly re.
CURED to his thoughts, and he glanced at
the cloak of his companion. IL was Of
plain dark merno, and had evidently been
much worn, though every thing about her