Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-09-24
THE BROTHERS,
on,
In the Fashion and above the Fashion.


Some men are born to greainess-some achieve
greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon
them. Henry Manning belonged to the second Of
these three classes. The son of a mercantile adj
yenturer, who won aud lost fortune by specula.
tion he found himself at sixteen years of age call
ed on TO choose between the life of a western farm
er, with its vigorous action, stirring incidents aud
rough usages and the life Of a clerk in one of the
most noted Establishments in Broadway; the great
source aud centre of fashion in New York Mr.
Morgan, the brother of Mrs Manning who had
been recalled from the distant west by the death OF
her husband, and the embarrassments into which
that event had plunged her. had obtained the offer
of the last situation for Of his two nephews and
would take the other TO his prairie home.
al do not ask you to go with me, Matilda" said
he to his sister, "because our life is yet too wild
aud rough 10 suit a delicate woman, reared, as you
have been, in the midst Of luxurious refnements
The difficulties and priVa,ons of life in the west
TALL most heavily on woman, while she has little of
that sustaining power which mans more adventure
Gus spirit finds in overcoming difficulty and coping
with danger. But let me have one Of your boys,
and by The time ne has arrived at manhood be will
be able. doubt not, to offer you in his home, all
the comforts, if not all the elegancies, of your pres
ent home.
Mrs Manning consented; and now the question
was, which Of the sons should remain with her, and
which should accompany Mr. Morgan. To Henry
Manning, older by two years than his brother
George, the choice Of situations was submitted
He went with his uncle TO the Broadway establish
ment-heard the duties which would be demanded
IRON him, the salary which would be given, saw
the grace with which the eiegaats behind the coun-
ter displayed their silks and satins aud yeyets to
the siegahtes before the counter, and the decision
with which they promulgated the DEGREES of fashion
II apn nj moi yht oh
is the accompaniment Of true genius. he decided at
once that there lay his vocation. George, who had
with difficulty kept quiet while his brother was
forming his decision, il was announced
'spraug forward with whoop that would have suit.
ed western forest better than New York draw
ing room, threw :he Horace he was reading across
the table, clasped first his mother then his uncle in
his arms, and exclaimed, IL am the boy for the
west | will help you fell the forests and build cit.
les there, uncle. Why should not we build cities
well as Romnlus and Remusi"
IL will supply your cities with all their silks, and
satins, and Velvets, aud charge them nothing
George said Henry Manning. with that air Of SUI
periority with which the worldly wise often looks
on the sallies of the enthusiast.
"You make my head ache, my son." complained
Mrs Manning, shrinking from his boisterous gratu
lation but Mr. Morgan returned his hearty en-
BRACE and as he gazed into his bold, bright face,
with an eye bright his own, replied to his burst
oil enthusiasm, you the very boy for the west
George. 1t is out Of such brave stuff that pioneers
and cty-builders are always made"
Henry Manning soon bowed himself into favor
of the ladies' who formed the principal customers
of his employer. BY his careful and really correct
habits, aud his elegant taste in the selection and
rangemeut of goods, he became also favorite with
his employers themselves. They needed agent
for the selection Of goods abroad and they sent him.
He purchased cloths for them in England, and silks
in France, and came home with the reputation Of
Travelled man. Having persuaded his mother to
advance capital for him by selling out the Bank
stock in which Mr. Morgan had funded her little
fortune. at twenty-four years Of age he entered
business for himself as French importer Leav-
ing partner to attend to the sales at home, he
went abroad for the selection Of goods and the fur
Their enhancement Of his social reputation He re-
turned in two years with fashionable figure, a
most recherche style Of dress, moustachios Of the
most approved cut, and whiskers OF faullless curl
"a finished gentleman in his own conceiL With
such attractions, the prestige which he derived from
his reported travels and long residence abroad and
the sapoir fdire Of one who had made the conven-
tonal arrangements Of society his study he quickly
to the summit of his wishes, to the point which
il had been his life's ambition TO attain. He be.
came the umpire OF taste, and his word was receiV-
ed the fiat Of fashion. He continued to reside
with his mother. and paid great attention to her
style Of dress, and the arrangement of her house,
for il important that his mother should appear
properly. Poor Mrs Manningl she sometimes
thought that proud title dearly purchased by listen
ing to his daily criticisms appearance, language,
manners, which had appeared stylish enough in
their day.
George Manning had visited his mother but once
since he had left her, with all the bright maginings
and boundess confidence Of fourteen. aud then
"a, Il A,wtn tko &C.
ter after his return, and when the brothers had been
separated for nearly twelve years, that Mrs Man.
ming informed him she had received letter from
George announcing his intention to be in New
York in December, and TO remain with them most
il not all Of the winter Henry Manning was evi.
IDENTIFY annoyed at the announcement.
81 wish, he said, THAT George had chosen "a
make his visit in the summer, when most Of the
people to whom should hesitate 10 introduce him
would have been absent. ! should be sorry to hurt
his feelings, but really to introduce western far.
mer into polished society -" Henry Manning
shu ddered, and was silent. "And then to choose
this winter of all winters. for his visit and to
in December, Just at the very time that heard
vest erday Miss HarcouTt coming from Wash
ingi ON TO spend few weeks with her friend, Mrs
Dui field I"
''And what has Miss Harcourt's visit to Mrs
Dui6eld TO do with Georges visit to usl" asked
Mrs Manning
"a great deal-at least it has great deal to do
with my regret that he should come Just now.
told you how | became acquainted with Emms
Harcourt in Europe, and what a splendid creature
she is. Even in Paris, she bore the palm for vii
and beauty-and fashion too--ihat is in English
and American society. But did not tell you thai
she received me with such distinguished favor anc
eyrnced so much pretty consciousness at my atten
tions, that had not her father, having been chosen