Spirit of the age., 1853-05-11


the fortunes Of Laura Her sweet, sunny
temper, her pure artless manners and dir
gent attention TO her studies, continued to
win for her admiration and love, and, alas,
envy and jealously also.
One soft balmy day, soon after the re.as-
sembling Of the school, the beautiful grounds !
about Loring Seminary were rendered more
attractive by the presence of the youthful be-
ings walking, or standing in little groups, |
engaged IN animated conversation. Emma,
the daughter Of Mrs. Loring, and Isabel
Ware with Laura by her side, came up TO
party OF gayly attired young ladies, whose
motions were easy and graceful as the pen
dant and lightly swaying branches Of the
weeping willow beneath which they stood.
After exchanging saIutations, the three pass
ed on. As soon as they were ont Of hear
ing one young lady remarked, with some
thing like sneer
The trio is formed again, you perceive
girls. ! cannot imagine why Mrs. Lorng
allows Emma TO associate 50 intimately with
the daughter of poor country parson. |
ehall not be very gracious towards Miss Ware,
for Ma cautioned me against making friends
OF any whose parents were not wealthy and
Btylish.'
Ny mother has no occasion to admon-
ish me in these matters, for have enough
pride and sclfrespect Of my own to keep me
from vulgar association said tall queeny
girl, with naughty toss Of her head.
don't oelieye,' remarked third, that
Laura Maitland mother is aware Of her close
Intimacy with Bel, or she would soon put an
end to it. 1t Is said she is rich, and moves
IN the first society"
Oh, II is no matter about Laura, said
the first speaker. She is nothing but a
child now, aud l doubt whether she'll ever
have spirit enough to aspire to any higher
society than that Of the cod-hoppers in the
nameless village whore she has already spent
two vacations. 1t is pity too, for she is
certainly good looking
Good looking = exclaimed another who
was not very remarkable for beauty
dqu't thiuk she has any good looks to brag
OF, aud YOU are mistaken about her having
no spirit. You should see her. redden some
times at the lnost trtllng insiuuation or chance
whisper against herself Or any other favoriteS
and, although She seldom speaks her minl
al the time, dare say she turus tale-bearor
on the first opportunity. l tell YOU Clar;
Wells, she is nothing but an artfuI and afec
ted little hypocrite.'
| never thought that Of her. answered
the other. | always supposed her oosin
pie aud meek to assume airs not natural t.
her
That proves you are very little acquain
ted with her. replied the slanderer Of Laura
character
confess said Clara, With a conscqner
tial air, i do not select my companion
from among the little children, but I hay
often noticed Laura Maitland, aud do nc
think l have been mistaken in my judgmer
of her What proof can YOU bring, Mi.
jameson, that she is artful or affected
lfsho Is not, how can she keep foravd
IN the good graccs Of Mrs. Loring and til
teachelsl Do you suppose she hides hc
temper and studies so hard without IN ol
jectf
How funny exclaimed a merry, brigh
eyed girl, who bad joined the party only
time to hear the latter part Of the argumeu
'Iou ask two question to answer one
That is said to be the true Yankee fashic
Of doing business, but don't get angry girls
she continued, laughing, and if this case
knotty aud very important one, propo
that You appoint me arbitrator. OF who
were you speaking z
OF Laura Maitland replied Mary.
Insist that she is high tempered, but concea
her real nature in order to gain the got
opinions and hattering notice that IS 20 grs
1tying to her vanity Do YOU believe she
ns good rs she preteuds, aud as some fol
seem to think herr
Il have no cause to believe anything
gainGt her returned Kate IlalScy, the Z
addressed. She appears like very love
and Intelligent child, and she is certainly t
young to deceive, by false appearance, t
teacher with whom she has been l. great
voite for Whole year, a, You tell me-
Thore Mary, did l not tell you | "
right in my Judgment! ! su&pcc; you ;
only jealous Of tie notice Laura receives.
would not s;oop to make such Young ch
an object Of envy, exclaimed Clara We
With 4 speer.
no moro envy her her low associa
than you do, Miss Wells returned Mary
gniy and still sa5 those who do not sh
her kindness on account of her wealth,
imposed on by her arts. She is little. ia
affected thing, and knows well enough Il,
10 make herself agreeable when there's n
thing to be gained by ii. That is my OF
ion, aud no one has vet proved me wroi
And do not tbnk any one wishe
prove you right in any assertion or suspici
puB 54@o s.st- r-.i-.,--.-I ,, II : =
s-4sio57, saIld tue frank, generous, true he
ed Kate.
Why don't Miss jameson give us n
proof Of what she saysl' observed one Of
members, new scholar. Now | proy
we set our wits to work and play some hi
less trick on Laura, and find out whois RIG
oh, no You will not attempt sac