Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-06-16
Alislellaneous
FROM rArrEnsoS's MAGAZINE.
TIE VILLAGE BEAUTY.
By ELLEN As,ufoy.


Mary Gordon was the beauty Of Lonslac
--ard she knew il Her whole time was
monopolized on herself Every look aud ges-
ture, ahd even the carriage OF her head was
a subject of study With her When she was
at party, she was continually thinking Of
the eject she produced and when she was at
home she was planning some new ornament
to wear in public At church she spent her
time in glaucng from under her bonnet, to
see who was admiring her, and if any one
was not
Ofeoursc she had many beaux. She could
never walk half the length of the principal
street, without being joined by some gentle
man; and at dancing assembly she was
sure TO be engaged for every set. before she
had been in the room ten minutes In the
summer, there was always brisk competi-
ten for the honor Ct her hand at a pic. mic
In word she had five beaux where other
young ladies bad but one. M
And yet, somehow, she was still unmarried
Her school companions orc after another, set
tied 10 life, and saost Of them advantageous
"; but size was left single, alone of all the
number; if we except Esther Raymond, who
from shyness and excessive plainness was
generally set down as certain to die an old
maid. M IN
IL the truth must be told, Mary was exces.
sively particular Her notions Of herself
were so high that she thought hut few saitors
coed enough for her At last. however, when
Horace Delaner returned from Europe. and
settled down in the large oil mansion Of his
family the village agreed that the beauty had
found at last lover equal to her IDEAL; for
he was both rich and talented, and belonged
besides to the aristocra,ic set Of the county
Horace seemed to have been conquered, by
her charms, the very FIRST night they met
Hedanced with her as frequently as he dared;
and when not dancing stood apart stealing
glauees at her; he hung over her when she
sang. and he accompanied her home. The
next day be called at the Gordons as soon as
etiquette permitted. and on Sunday appeared
with Mary at church Everybody said it
was an engagement, for if he was fascinated,
she appeared not less So M
But all at once, Horace Delaney ceased
bis attentions to the beauty of the village. aad
was soon beheld as assiduous in his atten-
tons to Esther Raymond. as he had ever
been to her more beautiful rival Everybody
was astounded, except few elders Of the
place. with whom Ester had always been a
tavorite. who shook their heads, saying it was
inst what they expectey, for Esther's ama-
bilty was thousand times better than
Marys beauty Let us look 10 on Horace.
however, as he sits chatting with eonfiden-
tial friend. and hear the real cause Of the
change. BIZ 4s 8s9 hers aa ns
you must know Esther" he said "She
is modestly personifed yet her taleuts are
extraordinary and her amiability aud accom-
plsbmeuts as great. Indeed her modesty,
by causing shyness. makes many think her
plain; but plain she is not at least to those
who know her; for in familiar conversation,
the enthusiasm of her soul kindles her eoun-
tenance into spiritual beauty that is inde-
scribahle Ns M w i
"You were soon off with the beautiful Miss
Gordon, Of whom you wrote SO rapturously
the first week you spent here F"
Horace blushed a little, for he felt how
foolish he had been. as be replied,
~Yesl She dazzled me for awhile, but |
soon found my error; though cannot yet
forgive myself for being duped, even for a