Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-07-09

3
was the reply.
Why moi? Is she not respectableF
That is more than / know replied Esther
But allow that she is. Are we obliged to ask
every one TINT is respectable? II SO, we must
recognise in the circle of our acquaintance a
hundred poor servant girls-yea, Mrs. Smith,
ncgress, even
But is she not well educated and lady like7
enquired Harriet
i can'tsay as to that, replied Esther. She
never went out of town to school, therefore
don't see how he education can be very bril-
liant; and in relation to her ladyshp, IT sure
| know nothing, nor do | wish to be informed
Her father is a mechanic, her mother takes in
sewing, and she is a poor, plainly dressed girl.
Let her associate with those of her own rank
and fortune and herewith be content; or if she
is not it matters little with me-
You know so little of Julia said Harriet,
so little of her education, goodness of heart,
and personal attractions, is the reason why you
oppose her, think
{ 1t is not So replied Esther evidently in a
passion. 8 Is not Frank Clark going to be hore7
And do you suppose I'd have him think that we
draw into our society poor mechanics daugh-
ters girls whose hands are solled by la
bor!
So saying she left the room, stepping unusu-
ally spry, and slamming the door after her.
Julia Harris was not rich, reader, tho her
parents were in comfortable circumstances; yet
she possessed other qualities destined to serve
her as passport to the most geneeI circles of
society.
Just nineteen summers had spread over her
their roseate mantle, at the time Of the forego-
ing conversation. Her hair was black and
glossy, and her eyes mild and bright, and her
every motion perSoniication of ease and grace
fitness.
She had rich affections and a gratifed heart.
Her feelings were tender; and among the dis
tressed, neglected, and poor Of this world she
acted the part Of minsterng angel.
Though she had never been out of town to
school, or stepped into popular Female Semi
nary, her mind had been assduously cultivated
Music, all the higher branches of English, and
two or three Foreign Languages, she could man
age after the manner of a workman that need
eth not to be ashamed She had read history,
poetry, and light literature and could con-
verse intelligenty upon all the topics of the
day.
Moses Cummings was a merchant at C.,
Mass, who kept up the appearance of being
rich. He made great effort to shine more
brilliantly than any of his neighbors
Mr.. Cummings had two daughters, Harriet
and Esther The former was mild, sunny-tem-
pered, and affectionate. She considered herself
none too good to visit the poor in sickness, to feed
the hungry, clotbc the naked, shelter and be-
friend the unfortunate.
But how different was the latter Esther was
just the opposite Of her sister in almost every
particular. She was too naughty to speak to
poor people-too much engrossed in selishness
to care for their suferngs.
And twas always matter of wonder, among
all who knew the sisters, how two such anti
podes happened to spring from the same
source.
Frank Clark TO whom Esther was much at
tached, and on whose account the before men
toned party was made, was young man with
whom the sisters had formerly been acquainted
G-was his native village, but while young
a rich uncle had taken him to Charleston, S. c.
into a wholesale store.
His situation made him subject Of envy
among the companions of his childhood. Young
ladies 6shed for him. as the saying is, anC
talked of him.
This uncle is not rich, one would say to The
other.
He is He's worth his hundreds of eou
sands
And no heirs
He has no wife, no children; but in case he
should die without will, his property would be
divided among more distant relatives
But how happens it that Franks uncle neve
marriedl
'Oh, he buried his betrothed, long, lon!
years ago, am told Th" blow cut him to TIT
heart He never loved another, and has lived
bachelor all his days.
How old is her
Eighty. And according to the ordlnar,
course of nature, must soon 90 the way of al
the earth
Does he love Frank,
Yes; Frank has been faithful lad, and
is s0id that he has wled him about all Of hi
property
Frank was on from the South to visit his pa
rents, and was politely invited to the party froU
which Julia Harris was excluded, on account c
her being in ordinary pecuniary circumstances
and mechanics daughter.
CHAPTER II
The evening for the party arrived. 1t wa
very pleasant one The moon shone brightly
the air was mild the sky was clear, and ther
was general turn out of the elite.
AT the appointed hour, Mr.. Cumming draw
ing-rooms were splendidly Illuminated. Larg
and costly mirrors, paintings of the finest stamE
rich carpets and safas adorned it; for Mr. Gun
mlngs was man who, like the Epicure, meal
to live while he lived
How the carriages do wheel mn said Ua