Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-10-25

ferent sentiments prevailing among her
guests and as to myself, if the latter part
OF your remark is intended to personate me,
felt for her situation at first really ad-
mlred her simple, truthful character after
wards, and it did not occur to me until
subsequent treatment developed the fact,
that she could be considered inferior to 9th
ers who were present.
You are certainly a very liberal young
lady, retorted Miss f. with q decided sneer.
l at least strive to encourage the feeling
returned Mary, mildly, because l think I
find its necessity more frequently enforced
in my Bible than any other besides this,
there is a natural interest in any of my own
sex deserving woman's esteem, which would
always lead me to treat the poor, tried, temp
ted ones, on whose life but little social sun
shine had glimmered, with kindly sympathy
All very wellin its place, but that is diff
ferent from equalizing yourself with them
and introducing them into society they are
untitled to adorn. | would hurt no poor
girls feelings when brought in contact with
her in her W appropriate sphere, but |
should certainly never seek to drag her out
of it,
'Or to treat her kindly, when others save
you the troubleY
No because when she assumes more
buke.' }
Then allow me to say therein l think you
are decidedly wrong. For the advantages
you have had you are held responsible for
the talents committed to your care you will
be called to account and though woman's
is no active performance on the battle field
of life, yet in simple secluded homes she can
nffoat nTIoh Nv kbo roA;On of fhoao capti
ments which it is to be supposed were en-
bodied in her education. Oh believe me,
Miss Fenshaw,' continued Mary, warming
with her subject and clasping her hands in
enthusiasm it is something to her that we
may give pleasure, and happiness, and JOY to
the humble ones of earth-to scatter sun
beams around their darkened way-to lead
them to perceive beauties before sealed to
their vision-to make them feel and know
you admit none Of the barriers Of a narrow
minded world
But, in spite of your iuency, I do admit
them, or perhaps more plainly speaking, I
am one of the narrow minded myself, for l
could not reconcile my feelings to the meet
ing of a poor seamstress upon the social floor,
r as my equal or stand up in a quadrille with
, a girl who might have made the gossamer
! dress | wore.'
And why not 1t rather seems to me
, by the act of honest industry she has earned
her right to be there. That placed upon this
glorious beautiful green earth as we are, to
q fill not the place of a drOne, we should value
most highly the hand that cheerfully toiled
A on the road destiny had decreed them to trav
ell. And when we remember farther thai
! she is our sister, young and enthusiastic, al
q susceptible of beautiful fancies and feeling,
as we, how can we raise a hand to crush hel
s back to a degradation she has not incurred
and to a shame she has not merited.'
We can never see alike, Miss Alton. M,
. family has ever prided itself upon the purit,
of it's descent and the distinction of its con
aS n~ections. I cannot be the first to breal
s. through the old exclusive rules we have s
long observed. There have been castles an
I'd grades in society from time i~mmemorial
to they must continue yet
al And | am still less at liberty to breal
- through the rules which my Bible impose
,0 and my conscience sanctions. Emma Gale
NC life has been one of darkness and trial ;)Go
" forbid my hand should aid to visit it upo
"a her, or lend the weight of a word toward tn
IA protractlon of that gloom which has bee
en- around her early years.
II. Very. well ybu may learn too late ths
you cannot connect the two great classes
life, and regret that your time and a~ttentio
es was not more wholly given to that frol
IA which most benefit was to be derived
ter BE it so | can fall in no nobler caus
Ily than the defence Of the yirtuous poor of m
SEX
Mary's visit to Emma Gale was of a f;
~ more pleasing and satisfactory nature. A
~ her first convictions Of the girls charact
~ were confirmed, and indeed she had new,
Ia appeared to such advantage before as he
re- in her ewn lowly home. Mean, it certain
ed was not, for Mr.. Gale had managed to pu
90 sue his drunken course without stripping
of the simple yet tasteful furniture whi
had been saved from the wreck of a bett
no home, and Emma's excessive care had Ike
a the gloss of actual ~gentility on it yet. We
ng happy did the young girl seem as she sat
On Mary's side with some simple work, and
en- appeared as if she would never tire telli
re- over her joy and her hopes now that h
father was determined to drink no more.
Mr.. Gale himself came in whilst Mary
manned and she was agreeably surprised
oid find more of the real gentleman about hi
ly, than she had dared to anticipate. He W
so pale and nervous, for the healthful blood b
to scarce began 20 course through his vel
ice yet, but there was the impress of a firm r
citation Upon his brow that promised a CT
HnuatioR of the new course he had began.
He was evidently much pleased at Mar,
LlSs visit to his daughter, and she was equa
gratifed in beholding the deep and fer
me affection which existed between them.
the wnole IL was an hour pleasantly sp'
the NAV wary AlOon save 70 the reiofmeo i
!: to deepen her value of the influence whicl
ing great and good God has seen fit to end
l every human being with to some extent, a
ing one in which she determined more fxe
{. I than ever to do battle for the cause Of tru
the All this strength was called into requ
ton before the close of her days labor,
-. we are to remember that Mary was a YOU
nls girl just stepping out in life, and eager
ned youth ever is to please and to secure
pu- love of those with whom she might min.
e to She knew that she was right and determil
we not to waver, but she did not know the
tent of the ridiculous prejudices with VIII
n she would have to contend; for this Ii
: = village of not more than one hundred
l fifty people, had grown astonishingly ri
hlch and nice within the last few years, in reg
, to those classes whichi it was proper or
,e to proper for them to associate with.
Won At her third call the lady was pronoun
from home, but she CHANGED to find her
Miss Wilson's, whose name came next
) al her list of morning visits. 1t seemed
may these girls she was visiting constituted "
nds. was termed the young society of the pl
ciate and they had thoroughly discussed and
lay tied on the positive improperly OF Ma
her retrace her steps or Danish her f
!, their circle. Young, just from school,
/ 10 pendent upon them for social enjoymen
novar ooorrrad to thop tbat II xrould roo