The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-03-24


was seated with Mrs Florence and sew
eral other ladies of distinction, and TAX
ing chair by her side.
'They are only common people, re-
piled Mrs. Lemmington, with affecting
indifference.
Common people, my dear madam I.
What, do you mean by such an express
sion p said Mrs. Florence in surprise,
and with something like indignation
latent in her tone.
I'm sure their father, Mr.. Clayton,
is nothing but teacher
Mr.. Clayton! Surely those are not
Clayton's daughters = CALCULATED Mrs
Gould, in surprise.
They certainly are, ma'am,' replied
Mrs. Florence in quiet but firm voice,
for she instantly perceived, from some.
thing in Mrs. Gould's voice and manner,
the reason why her friend had alluded
to them Us common people.
Well, really, I am surprised that
Mrs. Harwood should have invited them
into genteel company r--.
! a. Why So, MRS. Gould p ~
Because, as Mrs. bennington Just
said, they are common people. Their
father is nothing but schoolmastar.'
IF have observed them rightly
Mrs Florence said 10 this, have dis
covered them to be a rather uncommon
kind of people. Almost any one can
thrum on the piano but you will not
find one in c hundred who can perform
with such exquisite grace and feeling as
they can. For half an hour this eve
ring | sat charmed with their converse
tion, and really instructed and elevated
by the sentiments they uttered. can
not say as much for other. young ladies
in the room, for there are none others
here above the common run Of ordinarily
intelligent girls-none who may not
really be classed with comnon people in
the true acccptation of the terms
And take them all ih ALL, added
Mrs. bennington with warmth, you
will find nothing common about them.
Look at their dress see how perfect in
neatness, in adaptation of colors and
arrangement to complexion and shape, is
everything about them. Perhaps there
will not be found a single young lady in
the room, beside them, whose dress does
not show something not in keeping with
good taste. Take their manners. Are
they not graceful, gentle, and yet full of
nai,,rn. nwn ~-r---siop IN word is
there anything about them that is COM
mon =
Nothing that my eye has detected
replied Mrs. Florence.
Except their origin half-sneering-
ly rejoined Mrs. Gould.
They were born of woman was
tie grave remark. 'Can any of us
boast a higher origin 20
There are various ranks among wo-
men, Mrs. Gould said firmly.
True. But, /,
The rauk Is bat tie guinca's stamp
The mans the gold for a. that"
Mere position in society does not make |,
any of us more or less true woman.
| could name you dozen or more of
my acquaintance, who move in what is
called the highest rank, who in all that
truly constitutes woman, are incom-
parably below Mrs Clayton, who, if
thrown with her among perfect strangers, i
would be instantly eclipsed. Come {
hen, Mrs. Gould, lay aside all these !
alsc standards, and estimate woman t
more Justly. Let me to begin, intro
luce both yourself and Belinda to the q
,oung ladies this evening. You will be
charmed with. them, l know, and equally .
charmed with their mother when you e
inow her. 2
mo ma'am,' replied Mrs. Gould, $
lrawing herself up with diguifed air, G
1 have no wish to cultivate their ac- b
luaintance, or the acquaintance Of any p
,erson in their station. lam surprised n
bat Mrs. Harwood hiss not had more v
for her friends than to Z
,ompel them to cone in contact with A
uch people, t.
No reply wa, made to this [; and the 81
,ext remark o. Mrs. Florence was about t.
ONE matter Of general interest. tc
'Henry Florance has not been here q
or a week. said Mrs. Gould, to her In
Laughter Belinda, some two months y
.fter the pcrioi at which the converse. Il
Jon just noted occurred. \
NO; and he used to come almost h
very evening" was Belinda's reply, W
rade in touc that expressed disap- b
ointment. a
Il wonder what can be the reason y G.