Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-06-21
miscellaneous
From Peterson's Magazine.
THE CALICO BALL. DRESS.
by A. l.. OTls.

Our hero, Mr.. Hampton, who was largely
engaged in the manufacture OF iron, was last
winter obliged to disc barge many of his ha nds,
and Tor Time TO stop work altogether aS " ith
the slack demand for the article lie manufac-
tu!ed, he could not meet his expenses.
The despalring entreaty of some of his best
workmen, who had been with him for years,
for any kind of employment, led Mr.. Hamp.
ion 10 think deeply, and use every excrtion TO
relieve in part the misery he had been com.
pelled by necessity 10 infict.
Among those whose welfare he made espe-
'cislly his care, was the family of his foreman
which consisted Of wife and nine children,
the eldest Of whom tall and fine looking
giil oi sixteen years, was a seamslress, and
thankful for work at the usual low rates.
But he had not only charged hmSe with the
care OF this family, there ere at least twenty
others belonging 10 his workmen who looked
to him for assistance. j. may well be imag
i1ed that with so many dependents he was
often at losS,eyen with the aid OF soup soci-
elies and church charities, 10 find wherewith-
al 10 feed them, warm them, house them and
keep them clothed.
Among his friends was Mrs. Bellington, the
.enviable mother Of six young daughters the
eldest, Emily, being only seventeen years OF
age. Emily was very beautiful so far as ex-
ternal beauty goeS-tall, very fair, with jet
black hair, blue eyes, and proudly, graceful
Carriage. She was 10 "come out' this win.
ter.
Filled with one subject OF bis thoughts
Mr.. Hampton, did not fail to make it theme
OF conversation in the mothery presence of
Mrs. Bellington, who always took much in
tereSt in Mr.. ,HamptonS plans. She made
AImnner
he should discuss his projects at her house.
Emily listened 10 his tales of poverty with
deep attention, and Mr.. Hampton learned TO
expect the warm glance of sympathy from
those blue eyes, which whether from the poor
or not, looked lovely and genuine
Mr.. Hampton, one evening, was asked, by
Mrs. Bellington, TO go TO q ca leo ball.
"Combining duty with pleasure benevo-
lence with f-gratifcation The rich must
have pleasures, and it is true charity to make
them thus minister TO the wants Of the poor"
So reasoned Mrs Belington.
The receipts from the sale of the tickets
were TO be given to the poor, together with
all The dresses worn by ladies' and gentlemen
.on that occasion.
"And then Mr.. hampton, it will be our
sweet Emlys first bali. How touching to
Lhave her begin in the world, thus sacrificing
all the vanitieS of dress for the sake of the
poor"
Mr.. Hampton was persuaded the plan was
a gooo one, and he longed 10 seem Emily a:
her first ball, so he made arrangements 10 go.
his object being much more charitable than
.self-sacrficing, he purchased for the occasion
strong, thick suit Of clothes, considerably
100 wide for elegance, but excellent for work
ing in, and looked, when dressed, like hand
some, stalwart carpenter or mason. Quite
satisfied with himself, he called according TO
agreement for Mrs. Belington and Emily
The ladies were dressed and muftied in
opera cloaks, Emily looked out from her
white vaIporlike nubie as pretty as Venus
emerging from he! sea foam. Mr.. Hampton's s
lone glance was enough 10 bewilder him, AMI
make him feel as they ode along in the dark
an exquisite mysterious sense of the beauty
living, breathing so near him.
When the ladies rejoned him before enter
ing the bail room, Emily though she had lost
with her little nubie the little cloud of myse-
rry which had so enhanced her charms-cer-
family looked like "perfect beauty" in
proud and happy mood.
Mr.. Hampton's eyes rested upon her, taking
an admiring note Of each charming particular
of her dark curlS turned back from her deli
'cately tinted young neck, and showing the bot
tom Of an ear so white as 10 look like pearl
IN the shadow of her hair. Her blue dress wa s
charming in its simplicity, and Mr.. Hampton,
forgetting its future destination, did not OBJ
's!rve that though it was Of cotton, it was of q
texture so fine, and color SO delicate, that it
could hardly be called calico. A garland
made ol raw heath, the tiny white bells Of
winch hung in such profusion as almost TO
conceal The fine feathery foliage, Shone above
those dark curls, and made an airy crown for
'her graceful head. II seemed the perfection
'ol head-dress, and he never thought that at
6his charity ball EMILY was TO be decorated
with flowers almost as precious as gems, and
which would perish in doing credit 10 her taste
With glance that dare not dwell upon the
beauty before him, lie also perceived the ex-
auisite form and snowy hue of the neck and
arms.
In fact, he was be witched, and unconscious
ly INDUCED in long, wrapt gaze, which EN-.
aly's conscious blush and dropped eye lids
showed she felt and understood. Mrs. Bel
, lington looked OF him meanwhile with eye
brows archly raised, and smile Of satisfaction
upon her countenance.
He felt the proudest ma n that walked the