The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-05-07

III
impossible for them to dress we'll"
"But then who knows but that Mr.. Ash
ley is poor"
"Well, if he is, what right has he here?
What right have poor people with society?"
"Indeed, did not know that because
man is not blessed with wealth, he should
/ therefore be cast out of all society, and
lrowned upon as if he we're criminal"
"But is it not better that those who can
not afford to appear as we do, should remain
in their own level in society. Ii saves them
from the desire of living beyond their in
comes, and US from the annoyance of their
extremely uncouth and awkward appear
ance."
"No, Ann, think the distinctions Of So
ciety are based quite TOO much upon the
outward trappings of wealth, and too little
regard is paid TO- moral and intellectual
worth. | do not approve Of the endeavors
which some people make 20 rise above what
is called their own level in society; but |
think person finds his level when he finds
class of people with whom he sympathses,
and by whom he is understood whose
tastes and feelings are similar 10 his. And
yet. how many of the most refined taste and
feelings have been doomed to poverty, and
would, according, TO your principles, be left
with no other society than that of the most
vulgar"
"Really, Mary, you are strange girl
Do ycu think there is no polish required
nothing of that which marks the gentleman
that something that is so indispensable to
good manners, which the poor man never
acquires"
"Indeed, as to that matter, there is not
more free and easy gentleman among my
acquaintances than this same Mr.. Ashley, of
whom we are speaking"
"Impudence, Mary-it's nothing in the
world but impudence. That hod bearer,
across the street there, if he could once be
made to believe that you would receive him
on level with yourself, would appear just
as free and easy as this same gentlemanly
Mr.. Ashley, of yours. | must confess,
never dreamed of such shabby parsonage
in your fathers parlor. Who could have in
troduced him, here?"
" He brought me letter of introduction
from an intimate friend, in B., in whose
judgment place the utmost confidence, and
who certainly would not introduce me to an
unfit associate. noticed nothing peculiar
in his appearance at frst-I am not addicted
to studying people by their apparel but
since then, must confess, ] have sometimes
thought him guilty of an almost unpardon-
able negligence of dress. Yet, when once
engaged in conversation with him, do not
notice it, and certainly do not think have
ever met the man who was equally agree
able"
"Wel, 'chacun son gout;' but thought
you were old enough to have done with
romancing. Did you say you had friends in
B.g
"Only this one whom mentioned"
"I have a cousin there, and she writes
me that they have had for toast there this
some time part, a young millionaire, Just re-
turned from his travels in Europe. All the
lasses have been exerting their charms upon
him to !he utmost, but without success
He is coming down here soon, TO spend the
rest of the season, and expect he is re-
serving his heart for some of us. AT least,
| mean TO be ready for him, and would ad-
wise you to drop your tete tetes with such
fellows as this Ashley, and reserve your
charms for some purpose"
"No, Ann, | can assure you | shall not
give up society that is really agreeable to
me, for the sake of playing the agreeable
TO some specimen of non-entiy. | have
seen several of these millionares in my day,
and they were the most wisby-washy affairs
imaginable. would rather have the dia-
flond, with its case of pewter, than the paste,
set in gold"
at does we'll for you, Mary, who have
always rolled in wealth, to profess to despise
it, and to call person wishy-washy affair,
simply because he happens to be rich. How
would you like to have others speak SO of
you?p
81 call no one wislly-washy affair, simply
because he is rich; but do think that those
who have been reared in wealth and luxury,
are apt to think they are Independent of their
own exertons; and the energies which they
might once have possessed, having never
been called into action, become paralysed
| do not say that this is necessary, but it is
natural and, as farsas my observation has ex-
tended, common. Il have seen many one,
whose mind, thus wasted, had become as
blind and stupid asa dormouse in the midst
of winter"
CHAPTER III.
"Why, Harry, where in the world have
you been?"
:. "To.call on Miss Winsiow"
=. What. in that arrayw
I'm this array" replied Henry, casting
merry glance over his shoulder into the
elegant mirror with which his ro ON was
adorned.