The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-06-21
THE FATHERS LESSON.
TALE OF DOMESTIC LIFE.

Three young ladies were seated in arich-
" furnished apartment. They were the
Misses Amanda and Emma Ellis, and their
cousin, Delah Carleton. The latter was
engaged in the womanly occupation of sew
ing; the two former in discussing critically
a ball at which all three had been present
the proceeding evening.
81 don't like that Mr.. Barton at al" said
Miss Amanda, continuing the conversation.
"Nor either" responded Miss Emma
" no was the eldest.
"And why not cousiD'" inquired Deliah.
81 am sure he is handsome enough, is he
lnot?"
"Nes, but.-''
But what, coz?" said she to Emma, who
had spoken last. ''Surely his manners are
pleasing, aud language observation-disclosures
atIcctaton.''
eyes, yes; but for all that he is vulgar,'
said Emma pettishiy, vulgar in his ideas. -
"Vulgrm exclaimed De,iah, s'you must
again allow me to differ with you, co.," she
continued, looking Into her Cousins face
with a smile, 81 think he is quite refined,
more so than Mr.. Price or Mr.. Brown, and
many other gentlemen"
-aErsy 7ti'IifN~ OF '.Dssif i1'2 81. Dartop
with Mr. Price or Mr. Brown--two gentle
rnenp' exclaimed Miss Amanda Ellis
''Vhy Mr.. Barton IS 4 mechanic!'
''Feli, suppose he is, DEAR said her
cousin, "does that make him vulgar, or less
respectable, For my part, think a me-
chanic can be as much gentleman in the
true sense Of the word, as d miIionairc.''
"Well, declare, cousin Lilly, you do
have some of the funniest notions" said
Amanda, Gust for all the world like pa; he
thinks one man IS good as another, even
though a laborer.''
eyes," said Emma, 81 do wish he would
he a little more crcumspect, and find better
company for his daughters than mechanics.
1t is his fault that Mr.. Barton comes here
he gives him such pressing invitations. |
suppose he wants me or you Amanda
W Ouldn't it make a fine paragraph in the
papers? Miss Amanda Cor E.mma) daueh-
ter of James Ellis, merchant, TO Mr.. Charles
Barton, mechanic. 0, dear" said the spoil
ed beauty, for both sisters possessed great
personal ATTRACTIONS and threw herself back
on the sofa and laughed heartily as also did
her sister.
"Well, well, girls" said Mr. Ellis, who,
hidden by the half open door of the apart
ment, had been an unobServed listener to
the conversation, and now entered the room,
s'you may laugh now, but you may live TO
regret that you did not try to obtain Mr..
Barton for a husband; mark that" And
the old man taking his hat, left the apart
ment
''Who would have thought that pa was
listenIngH' said Amanda, s'but idon't care. -
81 declare, if there is not Mr.. Barton on
the steps!'' exclaimed Emma, who was
looking through the blinds. ''Cone, come,''
she continued, addressing her sister, ''let US
go up stairs to the other parlor, aud leave
cousin Lille to entertain him; it will be a
pleasure to her, for she is partial TO mechan-
ics'' and The sisters left the room.
The object of the foregoing conversation
was young man whom Mr.. Ellis had IN
troduced to his daughters and niece, as q
master mechanic. But unlike their father,
who valued a man for his character and not
for his money, the Misses Ellis were great
for which was riches-and the consequence
was, as we have seen, that MIR. Barton did
not stand any too high in their good graces.
MIR. Ellis knew that false estimation of
responsibility, was a predominant fault in
his iaug hters' characters, and he determined
10 give them a practical lesson. How far
he succeeded, the sequel of our story will
show.
A few moments after the sisters had left,
Mr.. Barton entered the room. He was
about the middle height, with fine regular
features, and an intelligent countenance
His eyes were deep blue-bis eyebrows
finely arched, aud his forehead high and
white, from which the jet black hair was
pushed back, displaying its fine proportions
He was certainly handsome man, which
fact even the Misses Ellis did not attempt
to deny, and the ease and politeness with
which he greeted Miss Carleton, spoke his
claims to that which that lady had awarded
him-the title of a gentleman.
He was soon seated and in conversation
with Deliah. Deliah Carleton was a char
ming girl. 1t Is true that she did not exhibit
the exquisite proportions and regular fea--
lures of her two cousins; but there was a