Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-12-05

posed. :,
eff Mr.. Norton wants an economical vile,
she said, Il would recommend him to offer
himself to Emily HARDWOOD. l think she will
suit him exactly, for she has worn an old
cloak all winter, with no alteration-one that
SHE has had two years, at least, 10 my kno"l-
edge
Mr.. Norton looked at the speaker, and the
unamiable expression of her countenAnce
sunk her in his estimation forever, atho' he
had hitherto regarded her as very pretty and
interesting, and had sometimes even thought
it almost possible to love Caroline Howard
well enoug Oh TO marry her, if he could only
hope to cure her of the passion for dress
which she displayed. But this remark sealed
her fate, as far as he was concerned, and turn
ing to Mrs. Hinton, asked
sWho is Emily Harwood? Are you ac-
quain,ed with herr should really like to be
introduced to a young lady who has moral
courage enough TO wear an Questionable
garment, after having worn it already two
winters; she must possess more than COM
mon character
Il will introduce you with pleasure said
Mrs. Hinton. 'She is sweet girl, and IA
great favorite of mine, confess have my
self been surprised at the plainness of her
dress, this winter, for her father is considered
wealthy, and she is the only one of his daugh-
tiers of an age to 90 into society. That is she,
in the simple white frock, and that is her
mother, by her slde.'
Mr.. Norton was charmed to perceive that
it was a young lady who, by her singularly
modest and unpretending appearance had at
tracted his attention in the early part of the
evening. He had intended to inquire her
name, but lost sight of her in the crowd, and
supposed that she had retired. Sac received
him with an easy, graceful air, and after few
momens passed in conversation, ne thought
her positively beautiful, so intelligent was the
expression other blue eyes, and so beaming
the smile with Which she listened to his lively
remarks. He was also very much pleased
with Mrs. Harwood, who did not leave TO her
daughter the whole burden Of the conversa-
ton, as some mothers are apt TO do, content-
ing themselves with being mere spectators
only.
When Mr.. Norton laid his head upon the
pillow that night, il was long before he could
compose his mind to sleep, being disturbed
by the vision Of a pair Of blue eyes, which
danced before him, not TO mention dark ring
lets and old cloaks, which mingled together
in strange confusion. He began to think
that he had at las, found the objec! he had
been so long seeking, and resolved that he
would call mex, dav at Mr.. Harwood's at las,
resigned himself to repoSe.
The next morning, Mrs. Hinton, in pursu-
ance of the wise resolution she had made,
alfred herself to 20 out, and was waiting in
the parlor for her carriage. The beautiful
mantle lay on the sofa by her side, and she
was examining it, and making up her mind
that after all, she c0uld do without il, and II
she could she ought 10. At tins moment
Caroline Howard, who was an intimate friend
entered.
'Are You going ont so earlyn she oxclam-
ed on seeing Mrs. Hinton ready dressed. Il
came in the hope of seeing you at this hour;
| for want TO tell you that Stewart had some
Of the loveliesi nantes You ever saw. was
there yesterday and looked IA, them. They
were Just opened. and the clerk assured me-
that they were the only ones imported. And
there were about dozen all together. wa,
afraid they would be all sold, yet did moi
dare TO buy one without asking mothers per.
mission, for father made such fuss last week
about my buying this splendid silk, wilhou
consulting him, that mother forbade my dom.
it again. | have been all the morning teas
ing her to let me buy one, and have at las
succeeded. So you must positively com'
and choose one too. But | DECLARE sh
continued, 'you have one alreadv,' as he
eyes fell upon the sofa, for she had talked s.
voubly that she had not even paused TO looI
around her. But you will come with m
will you not
Mrs. Hinton replied gravely-'I am goin
to Stewards to return this mantle, and woul
advise you, my dear Caroline il you had
tease your mother for leave to buy one, t
deny yourself, and crafty her by inlormin
her that you have resolved to do without i
Fifty dollars is great deal to sprnd In sue
an article of dress. My husband told me lh
morning that he was afraid he would be obla
ed to give up his carriage and horses. , =
business is SO much less profitable, ,'"" w
merly. Now you know j. "oso'u,''s NJ
cesslrv for his hnaI.t .iiat lie should rlde
$50, deal, -..l i resolved to spend as it'll
as possible that he may be able 10 keep hi
carriage.
Caroline sat without speaking until Mr.,
Hinton had concluded when she said pet
tishly-
But you are married. anI il does nc
make SO much difference as to how 81 dress
just see how becoming this is.'-And 81,
turned from the glass, at which she had bee
arranging the mantle in graceful folds ov'
her well shaped figure; and Mrs. Hinto
could not help acknowledging that it was yer
becoming indeed. Nevertheless, she sti
persuaded her young friend to forego the pu
chase, for she knew that Caroline's lalht
was very much in debt, and it was feare
every day that he would stop payment "A
! though, as il appeared, like many other gel
! ilemen who keep the state Of their affairs
secret from those most interested in the tru
his wife and daughter were utterly ignora
of the circumstances. But she found her
b, gnmeuts of no effect. Indeed, Caroline CT
q deavored 10 persuade Mrs. Hinton herself
e retain the velvet she was about TO carry bac
= But she had too much strength of mind to
IS led away ny her vanity, when she knew tn
!, her decision was right, although she cou
u not repress womanish feeling of regret
e the thought of resgning so becoming an arr
'e Gle of apparel. Mrs. Hinton was so mu
10 grieved and shocked at the sefishness of h
Is young friend, that she thought she col
Of never again feel towards her the same ale
lie ton she had hitherto experienced She nla