Plymouth weekly banner. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1856, 1855-11-29
From the Metropolitan.
KATIE SMITH:
CARRYING A BUNDLE ON THE AVENUE.
BY MRS. n. p. LASSELLE.

I your lBellegant customs, L shall be OblIg
ed to cut your acquaintance. or. at least
20 avoid being seen on the Avenue will
you.'
why, Celia. whs: is the matter now!
What is the matter? why, carrying
that great bundle in your hand. here on
the Avenue. just as If you were in some
western village
is that all7'
Il think it is enough to put one ou. OF
patience with you. Did you no, observe
that eiegan, gentleman, who regarded us
with so much attention last night at the
levee--just passed us?'
We'll. what if he didf
Il have no doubt but he recognized US:
and seeing you with that bundle. thinks
you are some sewing girl taking work
home, and |. being with you, am Of course
one Of the same class.
'Of what consequence TO us is it what
he thinks3 But my opinion is. he did
not bestow one thought upon US.
i know he did, though. for he looked
u, you. and with all his eyes. from the
time he came near enough TO tell who we
were, until he passed us.
And you, in turn, looked him with all
your eyes. Oh you would not have noted
this
oh don't talk such nonsense, for l am
really ashamed and mortified
'Asham med of what?'
To be seen in company with you on
ha a h,,n
die in your hand. What are porters in
stores Tor; but 10 carry home ladies' bun.
dles?'
Really. Celia, am sorry for your mor.
tifcatiCn; no, sorry that have the bum
die in my hand. but thai you have not in.
dependence enough OF character. and self.
esteem sufficient to prevent, such thing
from Notifying you.
But why not let the porter carry home
your bundles when you make q purchase,
they are paid for iti'
If the bundle were so large as 10 be
inconvenient for me to carry, should
certainly leave it TO be sent; but when
such is not the case. will save the tired
porter the fatigue OF walking perhaps a
half a mile for such trifle. No, no. i!
| can make lighter in .he slightest degree
the task of fellow being. the fear of be-
ing called Questionable shall never de-
ter me from doing it,
We'll, have your own way. bu, I can
assure you never shall be seen carrying
bundle in my hand. on the Avenue
The above conversation took place be-
tween two young girls, as they were re.
turning from store. where one of :hein
had made a purchase OF dress pattern.
They lived in adjoining houses; and al
though Celia Harris was. in her own opin-
ion. faI more refined than her neighbor
Kate, she thought it her interest to cul-
tivate her acquaintance. as she was, what
even Celia considered, we'll connected,
having an uncle who was q senator and
ich.
Both Mr.. Smith and Ur. Harris, the
fathers of the two girls. were clerks in
The executive branch Of government; and
each had been wealthy. but adverse for
tune had deprived them of wealth. and
now they had no income. save their sala-
ry. But, as the characters OF their chill
dren. daughters especially, depend much
upon the training Of the mother. we will
present Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Harris 10
our readers.
Mrs. Smith. when her husband. who
was a western merchant, found il neces.
sary to close business, encouraged and
sustained him. telling him that the loss
of wealth need not affect their happiness
and by her cheerfulness she kept up
the spiri, of her husband. But Mrs.
Harris. when her husband, after making
superhuman efforts to sustain himself.
and found failure inevitable. .old her Of
their changed circums tances. added to his
misfortune by reproaching him with a
want of business tact. never for mo-
ment thinking Of her own unreasonable
extravagance. at a time when he beg.
ged her to lessen her expenditures.
Mrs. Harris could not conceive of hap.
piness derived from any source snve that
of dress and display. With mothers so
unlike. we do not wonder at daughters
entertaining such different notions Of
things.
1t is the commencement Of the gay
season. and Mrs. Harris is very anxious
that Celia shall be seen on every possible
occasion. expecting confidently ere the
winter closes she will have secured, by
her beauty. elegance of dress and manner.
a rich husband; for. notwithstanding the
inadequacy of her husbands salary TO
Justify it. she insists they must keep up
a appearances. and the evening dresses OF
herself and daughter must be Of the most
expensive material. even If it has 10 be
bought on credit Every home comfort
was sacrificed for the sake of keeping up
appearances. consequently ell the tfuer
qualities of the heart, which are called
forth and cherished in a happy and pleas.
ant home circle, were left to die out. and
a kind of false. artificial character was
formed in the place
How different the precepts and prac.
lice Of Mrs. Smith. She, too. wished
her daughter to 60 into some 6 aysocisty
NOT for the purpose of attracting at
tention or winning admiration. but that
she nigh. see society in all its forms,
thus enabling her to form correct notions
and estimate moro truly life's better puT.