Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-01-05
miscellaneous.
THE OLD BONN EFT.
BIZ MISS {. W. BARBER.


It was bleak chilly day in November
lie wind wcat wailirg like a living thing
among tie raked trees and dying away ii
hollow murmuis through the leaf bestrewn
valleys.
Bat in the parlor Of Mr.. Birdlong all was
IS cheerful as May. A FIRE in the CRATE east
gailial warmth through the richly furnished
room. ard the light from the somhre sky stole
in through heavy damask curtains casting
crimson shade over everything over the soft
rietl, Piled carpet ythe eelypolished chairs,
sofas and tables. and even staining to deep
or glow the checks Of two young girls, whe
sat with some net work in their hands before
the fire
They sat ard gossipcd about the dress.
manners aud habits Of the vn,ious individuals
whom they knew. They were the daughters
of rich merchant, and had just made their
entrance into the world.
Il think" said Susie Birdlong, the elder
oc the two that Jaue Dixon to whom we
were introduced ut Mrs Bycrs' yesterday
can't be much. Did you notice her dress !!
Her gloves fitted her hand well enough, but
she has. dare say, worn them dozen times
before. and her bonnet looked as though old
Madame Noah might have worn it in the Ark.
She had but little to say, | noticed, and |
considered that proof positive, that she can't
talk, for when people can talk they generally
do. At any rate, don't like the looks of
her bonnet; aud mean to cut her arquain
lance. let who will visit her" Her sister
smiled an approving smile, and then the two
proceeded to disseet the character of others
Bat let us turn to Miss Dixon. the young
lady who had drawn upon herself censurc. by
daring to wear an antique article of dress
She sat, upon the same morning in which we
have introduced the Misses BIZ ilong to the
readers notice, in parlor equally well furn
ished equally cheerful, and in her hands
strange to tell, was the very bonnet-the old
fashioned bonnet, which might have belonged
to Mrs Noah She was turning it aronna
and contemplating the appearance Of its faded
ribbons Every now and then. as a wilder
blast swept by, she raised her head with an
anxious expression upon her face, to listen.
Once she laid down the bonnet, and went to
I tho wipdo,v tn louk ont
at is bitter day" she said to herself,
mentally Il wonder how that poor Irish
family, the NlcCarties, wiki get along?
think that must 90 over aud see after them
Let me think If can manage to wear my
| old bonnet another winter, can afford to buy
wood for them. aud by curtailing some other
expenses could send those two older chill
drcn to school. Oucc educated they could
furnish education to the young members of
the family. AS it is, all are growing up in
idleness and mischief think must try to
do this But that old bonnet does look shah.
by. Yet can repair it, by re trimming il
until It will look neat. and why need | care
il it does not look fine ? Those who know
aud 1--we me will not care what kind of bon
net ! wear those who do not know ne, Ger.
teinly need not concern themselves about my
dress. think that shall manage to wear
it So saying she went back to the seat -
took up the unconscious object Of the solilo
guy. aud after no trimming it, went out to
iook alter the McCarties.
In the lrisbmsus howell she was received
With camorous demonstrations Of joy. Her
face became as radient With good humOr and