Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-12-16
M [ S G. 3 L L A N T..
THE OLD BONNET.


It was bleak chilly day in November.
The wind went wailing like living thing
among the naked trees, and dying away in
hollow murmurs through the leaf sbestrewn
valleys.
But inlthe parlor Of Mr Birdlong all was
as cheerful as May A fire il the CRATE cast
a genial warmth through the richly furnish
ed room, and the light from the sombre sky
stole IN through heavy dsmask curtains, cast
ing crimson shade oyer everything
the soft richly piled carpet-the nicely pol
ished chairs, sofas and tables,and even stain
ing to deeper glow the eheeksUf two young
girls, who sat with some net work in their
hands before the FIRE ~
They sat and gossaRsd about the dress,
manners and habits Of thesEsrious indiyid-
uals whom they knew, fIhTT were the
daughters Of rich menthaatIan had Just
made their entrance into theworld
i think, said Susie Birdlong.9the elder
Of the two, that Jane Dixon, t. whom we
were introduced at Mrs Myers yesterday,
cant be much. Did yoG notice her dress
Her gloves fitted her hand well enough. but
she has | dare say, worn them dezen times
before, and her bonnet locked as though
old Madame Noah might have worn it into
the arks1 She had but little to say, | no.
ticed 3sand considered that proof POSITIVE
that she can't talk, for when people can talk
they generally do. At any rate, don't
like the, looks Of her bonnet and Imeau to
cut her acquaintance, let who will visit her
Her sister smiled an approving smile, and
then tho two proceeded 10 dissect the ehars
.acter Of others.
But let Us turn to Miss Dixon, the young
lady whoshad drawn upon herself censure,
by daring to wear an antique article of dress.
She sat, upon the same morning in which
we have introduced the Misses Birdlong to
Ilhe readers notice, in a parler equally well
furnished equally cheerful, and in her
hands, strange TO tell, was the very bonnet
the old fashioned bonnet, which might
have belonged to Mrs Noah She was turn
ing it around and contemplating the appear
ance of its faded ribbons Every now and
then, as wilder BLAST Swept by, she raised
her head with an anxious expression upon
her face to listen. Once she laid down the
bonnet, and went to tho window 10 look out
1t is asbitter day. she said to herself,
mentally Il wonder how that poor Irish
family, the MeCarties, will get along2 /
think that must 20 ever and see after them.
Let me think Ii caa.f manage to wear
my old bonnet another winter, | can afford
to buy wood for them, aad=py eurtailing Some
other expenses, / could send those two other
children to school. Once educated they
could furnish education t5 the young mem
bers Of the family As it il, all are growing
up in idleness and mischief Think must
10 this But that old bonnet does
bly, Yet can repair it, By re-
1t until it viii look neat, and why
e if il does not lock fae Those
and love me, will net care what
bonnet | wear-those who do not
certainly need not concern them
thout my dress i think that shall
Jar it. SO saying she went
seat-took up they unconscious
the soliloqgy, and AFTER Is-trim-
ent out to lock after the McGar-
rishman's hoyel she was received
prous demonstrations of joy. Her
he asradiaut with good humor and
- renee as an angels She bought the
Wood aud entered the ehildren's names at
school.
On her way home she mstSusie Birdlong,
accompanied BY several fashionable acquain-
tances, not one Of whom chose to recognize
her. Had she been fashionably dressed. the
result would have been different.
Was she gamer or loser BY wearing that
cid bonnet? Her own happy heart IS she
mounted the steps Of her father's mansion,
and took it carefully of, whispered "a gaiser.
The angels, those bright intelIigences, who,
bending from the Mouat of God, keep watch
over the actions Of men, aud shout to each
other for, Joy when they see mortals bearing
one anothsxss burden, and fulfilling tie law
Of leve shouted in enc united chorus, then,
we fancy, a gaiaer, but Susie Birdlong. and
several Individuals belonging to her highly
arisctoeratic circles. thought otherwise.
Madison Family Vsslt0r.
~ The eyes Of pretty woman are the
interpreters Of the language Of her heart =
They translate what her tongue las great
difficulty in expressing
/ T= An nId maid n enaai.; IL mar