The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-12-29

OF fashionable young ladies' OF the present
day. She had the additional advantage
of an excellent mothers advice and
counsel, which is always treasure be-
yond price, Her cousin, Laura Spencer,
was also well educated, so far as book
learning is concerned she was girl,
naturally Of good mind, but very unfor-
tunately for her, she had had wrong
home influences thrown around her from
infancy up to womanhood. In her home
wealth was everything; and everybody
not of the "ton," was nothing. She
prided herselfon being ofthe aristocracy,
and no more thought Of associating with
one below her class-as she called all
who labored in any calling not baptized
and taken into favor by the selected
few, who live on other peoples labor
than she did of flying.
Such were Emma and Laura the
one finding no excellence outside of the
narrow circle of the wealthy; the other
recognizing it in every virtuous member
of the human family, whether rich or
poor. One was confined by the walls of
prejudice within very circumscribed
limits; the other ranged the wide world
unfcttered.
Emma had, short period prior to
the time under consideration, made the
acquaintance of young man by the
name of Mandovill, whom she found
superior in many respects to the mass
even Of intelligent persons. A mutual
liking led to the formation Of a friend
ship, which bid fair to be lasting. This
led to the dialogue which opens our
story.
Laura had for her especial gallant, a
tip-top member of upper-tendom," ;"
whose wealth was one of his greatest
recommendations, and whose aristocrat-
ical qualities were unquestionable, if
tailor, barber and pcrfumer can possibly
give that degree of elegance, aided ty
the jeweler, which is requisite in qucs.
ton of such measureless Importance and
No, long subsequent to the time We
them, the characters spoken
Of were assembled, with others, in a
select party, at the house of Miss Sew
ards father. Laura was shocked be-
yond measure to behold, as one of the
guests, the despised mechanic, Mande.
vill. He was fne-looking person, and
in manners, address and carriage, was
calculated to win notice. Many admir-
ing eyes were upon him, and many of
the unquestionable ladies We're ready to
9 fall in love with him at first sight"
not knowing he was not of their number.
Numbers were presented, all Of whom
we're delighted, and
"What chaming young man he is ~
net the ears ofthe pride-wound I'd Laura
rom half a score Of lips as aristocratic
rs her own. She became veXcd and
around that he was a mechanic.
What a change that little scrap of in
ormation made. The " fine young
nan" was Immediately transformed into
| " right good looking fellow for his
class !" or "more gcntcel than could be
expected !" or " who would expect one
If his standing to ~,kc an appearance
% nearly approaching to elegance"
These and similar expressions were made
IS the privileged bellies cast side glances
It the object of their discourse, so sud-
lenly deprecated in their eyes.
Some became offended that they
hould be invited to associate with a low
'orn, or low lived mechanic but these
Gerc the most bigoted of the company.
Is for Miss Seward, she made bold to
axe Mandevill under her own protec-
ion, and as partner during much Of
he evening Her example was followed
y the most intelligent and sensible
ldies present; SO that though he fire.
uently heard the epithet of rcproach,
He is nothing but mcchanic;" it did
ot materially affect his spirits. True,
e did not feel as much at ease as he
,ould have done, had he felt himself
mong those only who could fellowship
i'm. But despite all prejudice, he
nade an impression, and not very
ommon one either. i