The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-11-17
Volume XI.
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE LESSON.
A TALE OF DOMESTIC LIFE.

The young ladies were seated in rich a.
partment. They were Misses Amanda and
Emma Ellis. and their cousin Delilah Carl.
ton. The latter was engaged in the woman
" occupation Of sewing; the two former in
discussing, critically ball at which all three
had been present the preceding evening.
81 don't like that MIR. Barton at ALL" said
Miss Amanda continuing the conversation.
Nor me either ~ responded Miss Emma.
who was the eldest.
"And Why not, cousin" said Deliah, "I'm
sure he is handsome enough, is he not"
"But what, coz 2" said she to Emma, who
had spoken last. Surely his manners are
pleasing and his language polished without
dffectation
"Ycs, yes, but for all that he is vulgar"
said Emma pet'ishly, ''vulgar in his IDEAS"
'VuIgarn' exclaimed Delilah, you must a.
gain allow me to differ with you, co., she
continued, looking into her cousins face with
a winning smile. Il think he is quite refined,
more SO than Mr.. Rice or Mr.. Brown and
many other gentlemen
Only think of comparing Mr.. Barton with
Mr.. Brown, the Gentleman" exclaimed Miss
Amanda Ellis. why Mr.. Barron is me
chanicn
We'll, suppose he u.s. DEAR said her cous-
n does that MAKE him vulgar. or less respec-
table! For my part. think mechanic can
be as much of a gentleman, lin the true sense
Of the word) as a millionaire
We'll, | declare, cousin Dill. you have
some of the funniest notions said Miss A
manda, just as good as another, even though
he be a laborer.'
Yes said Emma, Il do wish he would be
little more circumspect. and find better COM
pany for his daughter ;han mechanics. Ii is
his fault that Mr.. Barton comes here; sup
pose he wants me or you, Amanda. Wouldn't
it make fine paragraph for the papersl Miss
Amanda. or Emma, daughter ofJames Ellis,
merchant, to Mr.. Chas. Barton. mechanic.
oh dear said the spoiled beauty, for both
sisters possessed great personal attractions,
throwing herselfback upon the sofa and laugh
ing heartily. as also did her sister.
We'll, well, girls saldMr. Ellis, who hid
den behind The half open door Of the apart
mcni, had been an unobserved listener TO the
conversation, and who had now entered the
room. you may laugh now but you may live
10 re- greet that YOU did not try to obtain Mr..
Barton for a husband. Mark that y and the
old man. taking his hat, left the apartment.
i declare, ifihere is not Mr., Barton on the
steps, exclaimed Emma, looking through the
blinds; come, come she continued, address
ing her sister, let US 20 up stairs into the par
lor, and leave cousin Lille TO entertain him ::
it will be pleasure to her she is so partial to
mech lnics:' and the sisters left the room.
The object Of the foregoing conversation
was young man whom Mr.. Ellis had intro
duced to his daughters and niece some months
! before, as a master mechanic. But unlike
j. their father, who valued a man for his char
acter, and not for his money, the Misses ELL
is were gree, stcklers for responsibility, their
standard of which was riches and the conse-
quence was, as we have seen, that Mr.. Barton
did not stand any too high in their good gra-
: ces Mr.. Ellis knew this false estimate of
responsibility was predominant fault in his
daughters characters, and he determined to
give Them a practical and saluiary lesson.
How he succeeded, the sequel Of this story
: will show.
A few moments after the sisters had left
the room. Mr.. Barton entered. He was a.
bout middIing height, with a fine figure, reg
uar features and intelligent countenance.
His eyes were of a deep blue, his eyebrows
deeply arched, and his forehead high and
white, from which the jet black hair was dash
ed back showing its fine proportions. He
was handsome man, which fact even the
Misses Ellis did not dare to deny, and the
ease and politeness with which he greeted
Miss Carlton, spoke his claim to that which
the lady herself had aN arded hm-the title OF
gentleman.
He was soon seated and in conversation
with Delilah. Delah Carlton was charm
. ing girl. 1t is true she did not possess the
exquisite proportions and regular features Of
her two cousins, but there was ever a sunny
smile upon her face and cheerful sparkle in
her clear, light blue eye, and she had such
light and bounding spirits that made her ap
pear if not as beautiful as her cousins, at least
more agreeable; so thought Mr. Barton, as he
gazed upon her bewitching countenance.
How much better, thought he, would it be to
possess her for wife, dependant as she is up
en- her uncle and dowerless as she would be,
than either oil the Misses Ellis with their
spoiled tempers and their fortunes.
Thinking thus, is il to be wondered at that
he left her with half formed determination
to win her love if it was within his power.
When Delah appeared 1.-THE dinner table
that day, many were the meauin and inquis-
tive chances her cousins cast upon her. At
last unable to restrain their loving habit OF
running their cousin, they spoke.
i hope you have spent very pleasant
morning cousin said Miss Amanda, with a
mock arch look.
1t was very pleasant tete-a tete, was it
not!' whispered Emma. across the table.
spent the morning very pleasantly an
swered Delilah, blushing slightly.
'Oh! daie say sarcasiically; Il suppose
ne gave you dissertation on mechanics, did
he not, cozl'
We'll, suppose he did, said Mr.. Ellis, who
! had been listening patiently, but in whose hon.
est lace the color now rose is it not better
to listen to that, than to the senseless cunver-
saiion and sickly sentiments drawled out in af-
fected tones by the foplings, half men, half
monkeys, who disgrace humauity1' and the
old man cast such a look upon his daugh-
tiers as made them quail beneath it,
But never mind. Lille he continued in
softer tone, and patting his niece's rosy cheek,
never mind. Mr. Barton is worth three or
four such would be gentlemen as Mr.. Rice &
Mr. Brown, and in more ways than one. Mark
that, girls. He is worth two or three such
IN more wavs than one' The last sentence
| he addressed IN his d,urb,ax.