Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-11-25
The Ugly Daughter.


But look, then, said Mrs Kerr, to her hus-
band, how ugly the the little one is. Is she not,
William!'
And Mr. Kerr, who was sitting in a rocking
chair, amusing himself with poking the fire, laid
down the tongs he held, and gravely answered
his wife
'But my dear, you have already said so hun
dred times and we're you to say it one hundred
more, Rosa would not be 5ome less ugly for your
saying So
Rosanna was a little girl of about fourteen
She was their only child, and to do her mother
justice, was really very ugly-nay almost revolt
ing, with her little grey eyes, flat nose, large
mouth, thick protruding lips, red hair, and a.
bove all, a form remarkably awry.
Rosa was then very ugly; but she was sweet
girl, nevertheless Kind and intelligent, she
possessed mind of the highest order. Nature
seemed to have compensated her with every good
quality of the heart, for the want of every beau
ty ofperson.
The poor little thing was profoundly hurt as
she listened to her mothers observation,
ooh, you little fright, you will never get a
husbandp
Eight o'clock struck; Mrs Kerr was sorely
vexed
Go to bed, Rosanna.'
Trembling, the little girl approached her moth
err, to give her a kiss of good night.
Otis useless, you little monster said her moth
err.
A tear rolled from the little ones eye. She
hastily wiped it away, and turning to her father,
presented him the yet humid cheek.
He kissed her tcnderly.
L am not altogether miserable,' she murmur-
ed, leaving the room.
Retired to her chamber she commenced en-
broidering scarf and worked thus part of the
night, for she desired to be able to present it to
her mother when she rose in the morning.
The clock struck twelve. She had just finish
ed it, and putting it by, the little girl calmly re-
signed herself to rest. Her reposc was unds-
turbed
On the morrow Rosa presented the scarf to
her mother What was the pain the little one
experienced when her mother received it coldIy.
and expressed none of those tender sentiments
which were to have been the sweet little ones re-
ward.
Her eyes, by chance, glanced over neigh
boring mirror
YES she said internally, 4 am ugly-they
are right and she sought in her young head to
find remedy for ugliness,
And then in the world, new pangs wounded
the little ugly ones heart first impression
alienated all the young girls of her own age
but then, she was so good, so amlable so anus
ing, that they approached then listened, and
then loved her.
Now indeed our little one was happy,
One day Mr. Kerr went home in violent pas
sion, and became in consequence of some trif
ling provocation, highly ncensed against his
wife. Their domestic felicity was troubled for
eight long days-for eight long days Mrs Kerr
was continually crying. Rosanna in vain rack
cd her young brain to discover why-but hel
father still continued angry, and her mother was
still continually weeping At last she reflected
in her mind how to reconcile them.
They we're all seated in the parlor. Mr. Ker
was arranging the fire. When this was conclud
ed he threw the tongs from him and snatched
book from the mantel, and opened it abruptly
but after moments persual, he closed it agail
in violent humor, cast fierce glance at hi
trembling wife, and hurriedly rose from hi
chair
Rosanna, deeply moved, casped her arms a
round his neck, as he was about to rise, and al
fectionateIy caressed him. He could not rejec
her innocent coaxing, and the little girl thinking
SIG Adu ouCCeeueu III COuOHiHS MS hSaIbj COOh u
her hands the moistened handkerchief, where
with mother had been drying her weeping eyes
and dried them a second time Herewith. Sh
then tenderly embraced her mother, who return
ed her afectionate caress with all mother
fondness.
The parties being now flvorabIy disposed
naught now remained but to establish peace
This was no easy matter-neither would max
the first overture, and without the penetration {
little Rosa, the reconciliation would not the
have taken place
She took her fathers hand between her ow
little hands and pressed it to her bosom; she the
took her mothers hand, and joined it to her fail
er's, as it lay near her heart Human pride cou
resist no longer-the alenated parents rose
the moment, and cordially embraced each othe
From that hour Rosa was the idol OF the
both.
Six years after this, Rosanna, the ugly Rosa
ma, was the ornament to any society to whit
her mother presented her. Amiabe, witty al