The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-11-06

ing such becoming piece of apparel
Mrs. Hinton was so much grieved aul
shocked at the selfshness of her young
friend. that she thought she could never
again feel towards her the same affec
ton she had hitherto experienced. She
made her confess that the fifty dollars
her mother had given her. with which
TO purchase the wished-for mantle. was
sum that had been appropriated 10 a
younger sister, that she might take les.
sons in drawing. an art of which she
was passionately fond, and for which
she had a decided genius. She could
not forbear hinting TO Caroline that a
time might come. when the talents OF
her sister would be put in requisition for
more important purposes than those oi
mere amusement; bnt her persuasions
were lost upon the mind of the thought
less and selfish girl, and she saw her
depart, with pain, to fulfill her inten-
ton.
Mrs. Hinton found no difficulty in re-
turning the mantle. and after she had
left the store, she wondered how she
could have been so foolish as 10 suffer a
moments uneasiness on such trif1ing
subject. The words of Mr.. Norton had
made deep impression upon her heart.
and as she looked at the rnultitude of
poor, honseless wretches who throng
onr streets, she felt how sinful il was to
waste in extravaganza that which
would bring comfort and happiness 10
so many sorrowful hearts. When her
husband returned to dinner. she, like a
hearted wife. made confession to
him of her folly of The day before. her
repentance, and the purpose for which
she had just visited Stewards. Mr..
Hinton was a man of sense and intel
ligence He had often deplored his
wife's fondness for display. but she was
so yonno when he married her. and had
been so petted from her childhood by a
fond mother, and was withal so lovely
and interesting, that he could not find
il in his heart TO deny her any grstifica-
ton. trusting that as she grew older her
tastes would change He did MOI know
that the passion for dress is one which
increases with Indulgence. like all
other bad habits, and is the harcest to
overcome in the female heart. parhcu-
larly, as was the case with Mrs. Hinton.
where there are no children to occnny
the time and attention. So delighted
was he with the ingennouSness of her
confession, that he presented her with
a sum of money for charitable purposes.
telling her that he had that day unex-
pectedly recovered bad debt which
he had long since deSpaireG OF. and
consequently no longer entertained the
fear which he had mentioned to her in
the morning.
Let Us iretnrn 10 Mr.. Norton. He
could not ,avoid anticipating the call
ing hour little. 50 impatient was he
to meet again the object that had so
much fascinated him the night before.
As he entered the hall he heard the
sound of music, ani being shown into
the drawing-room, found the fair Emf
ly evidently giving lessons on the piano
to little sister. Although attired in
simple morning dress. she did not APP
pear less lovely than his memory had
pictured. and the bright blush which
his unexpected appearance called up,
made her not less Interesting in his
eyes. She dismissed the little girl with
a message to her mother. who soon ap-
peared and received him kindly. As
he glanced around aud observed the
air of elegance, though not of display.
that pervaded the establishment. lie
could not help recalling Miss Howard's
words about the old cloak. and his curl
osify was excited TO know what could
be her reason for wearing a garment
enough TO attract obser-
vation. After making as long call as
he dared. upon first acquaintance. he
took leave, not without being invited by
Mrs l1arwood to call again; an invita-
tlon 10 which he cordially responded
Not many days after, as Mr.. Norton
was walking in Broadway, he met Miss
Harwood and joined her Immediately.
He had walked for some time by her
side without at all regardingher dress.
when Miss La Mode suddenly emerged
from a shop and passed on before them,
arrayed in her superb velvet cloak,
with. feathers, &C., in the height of fash
ION. The conversation at the party in
stantly recurred TO his thou ghts. and he
glanced at the cloak of his companion.
It was of plain, dark merino, and had
evidently been much worn, though
everything about her was so scrupu-
ously neat, and her simple white hat
10 becoming TO her fresh complexion,
hat she was infinitely more attractive
o an Intelligent man than the dashing
Miss La Mode Toaest her feelings. he
emarked, carelessly, <" That is beau
iful cloak of Miss La Nodes" No
blush appeared on her cheek as she
quietly replied, at is indeed very beau
iful." Mr.. Norton could not help feel
ng how superior was this conduct to
hat of some young ladies, who betray
n uneasy feeling of conscience when
hey hear praises of anether's appear
nee which they know 10 be more bril-
iant than their own.
He continued to visit at Mr.. Har-
vood's, and was always kindly re-
eived; but he was not one to decide
10 hastily on a subject of such vasti i'm
as he felt the character of his