The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-12-02

Grace should be finished, perfect woman.
Nothing like superfcialness was to be tolerated
in her she must know thoroughly whatever
she undertook to know She was to be pro-
found, as well as brilliant; not only highly
accomplished, but also thoroughly well in
formed The standard was a lofty one but
he believed that Grace had the ability to raise
herself to it. The plain sewing and house
keeping formed no part of his arrangements;
neither, it is to be feared, did the love of God
and of religion. Lindley was not Christian;
and human perfection was all that he asplred
to in his ideal But how was that ideal to be
realized How was he, with his limited
means to give his child the opportunity for
such cultivation | must wait, he thought /;
she will do well enough for two or three years
to come, and meanwhile must be economical,
and lay up money against the time when 1t
will be required.
In Grace herself he had good materials to
work upon. She was fond of study, she was
also fond of praise. If her father expected
her to be diGgent in the one he was lavish of
the other So she was drilled in knowledge
all unsuited to her years; she was encouraged
to write, in season and out of season. The fact
that she was genius was daily impressed
upon her mind Not that her father ever d.
rectly told her so; oh no he would never have
been guilty of such imprudence She was
made to know il, nevertheless, by the way in
which he spoke to his friends of "Grace's pro-
gress" by the encouragement he gave to the
efforts of her childish muse, and the way in
which he urged her not to be content with
what she had already achieved, but to aspire
to something higher still. So she grew vain.
She had a firm belief in her own talents, her
own intellect-she overrated both. Who can
blame her? The line between selfapprecia-
ton and selfadulation is difficult to draw, at
any age.
Caroline, the good, plain, practical mother,
looked with misgiying on her daughters tri-
umphs. She felt proud, it is true, that Grace
was the first scholar of her class, and that she
brought home medals and certificates of good
standing without number; but she thought
naturally enough, that it would be much bet
ter for one of her years, to be engaged in play
or bealthful exercise, than to spend so many
hours in study she also began dimly to dis
Germ that the love of applause was gaining
that place in the young heart which should be
occupied by higher things However, there
was outwardly little of which to complain !;
Grace was affectionate and good tempered; she
way in everything, till she succeeded in get
ting it but all children do the same thing As
for her thinking too much of human, and to
little of divine approval, the mother trusted
that she would by-and-by see the mistake, and
repent it. So matters took their course.
/" Grace is nearly fourteen, is she not ln ask
ed Mr. Lindley of his wife, as they sat together
one pleasant winter evening.
q Nac xuaaE EriIa,y 70 I'll
so | thought. Well, my dear, it is about
she is to finish her education. know it will
be hard to send her from us, but think she
ought to be in some place where there are bet
ter opportunities of instruction than we possess
here"
Mrs Allward told me few days ago that
they talked of sending their daughter away to
school," said Caroline, 81 hope we may choose
the same place, it will be so pleasant for Grace
to have Fanny with her; they have always
been such great friends"
Judge Allward and had quite long con-
versation about it this very afternoon-Fanny
is going to H Seminary, and think we
may as well make up our minds to send Grace
there too"
{" But have always heard that it was 50 ex.
pensve!n
"Quite true-but it is decidedly the best
school in the country" said Mr.. Lindley.
How much do you suppose the yearly cost
would be ~ asked Caroline
Let me see," returned her husband q ]
made out a little estimate to-day" He took out
his memorandum, and running over a formi-
dable list of figures, announced the sum total
to his astonished wife
Ia h. hoI
it would be 80 much
cost, the bare price Of tuition and board would
not amount to anything like the sum- But we
must reckon the travelling expenses, and
Grace's dress will be far more there than at
home and she must have pocket money, too.
She will be with Fanny Allward, whose,father
is so rich, you know. Poor Grace! she would
feel very keenly any difference in their circum-
stances
"Why expose her to the possibility of such
modification! Why not place her at some
less expensive establishment?
81 will tell you why, my dear it is not be-
cause have any foolish pride about sending
her to the same place where rich people send
their children-it is because H Seminary
is incomparably superior to any other Mrs.
H, the principal is a highly educated
woman, of great conversational powers; Grace
will derive much benefit, merely from their
necessary association. Then, the masters in
attendance are the best that can be procured.
Altogether it is desirable place. The expense
is an objection, certainly" he added, as his
countenance fell; "but | think we can bear
even that, Carry If we had son, we should
expect to send him to college as matter of
course now, Grace is surely as dear to us as
any son could be-"
"Certainly she is; but do not see yet, Ed
ward, where the money is to come from, even
if think il advisable to cApeud much"
a. have enough on hand for the first year."
said Mr.. Lindley; perhaps something will
turn up before the second"
"There is one way in which we might save"
said Caroline, besitatngly, but am half afraid
to mention it, lest you should laugh at me"
"No; promise to be as serious as if | were
already Judge on the bench"
"You know that Calista is excellent help
and we pay her high wages Now, when Grace
is gone, there will not be as much to do and
we might part with Calista, and take little
girl. 1t would save dollar or ten shllings a
week"
"You doing the bulk Of the work, mean
while. ! don't like the idea Caroline but
suppose we ought to be willing to make some
sacrifices for our child's sake"
We ought to be willing" Good Mr.. Lind.
ley experienced virtuous sense Of self-denlal
as he spoke these words. | wonder if he would
have embraced the prospect of eating heavy
rolls or drinking muddy coffee, " for his child's
sake" Happily there was no danger Of his
faith being put to so hard trial for his wife
was versed in the whole art and mystery Of
housekeeping
-" No, Garry he said after few minutes Of
reflection, " it won't do--you are not very
strong-we must keep Calista. 1t is so much
more respectable 10 have tidy woman servant
than an ignorant little girl As for the money,