Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-10-31
THE pIc-NIc.

our picnic, tomorrow" said Mary How
ell, with a toss Of the head, as she sat
gossipping with several Of her acquain-
tances. " Well, for my part, I've mind
to stay away. a school teacher is. no
company for me-"
q The next step will be-" said one Of
the group, "tbas our kitchen girls will be
associating with u.s.
" l wonder who asked her." inquired
another one.
II don't know" replied Mary Howell
=" brother Frank told me"
AS she spoke the parlor door opened
and handsome young man, about tive>
and-twenty, entered, exclaiming-
"What is that you have to say about
me Good day, ladies. l hoard my
name as I passed through the hall. and I
stepped in to see what treason could be
plotting. So many pretty girls cannot
get together without mischief"
He laughed as he spoke, and his fair
auditors laughed too for Frank Howell
was general favorite. being a rich, ami
able, and talented as he was good looks
ing.
eve are plotting no treason" replied
the sister, :" but wondering who has inyi-
ted Emily Saunders to the picnic, to>mor-
row."
1t was friend of mine," said Frank,
promptly. ..
"Who 2"
"Ah. there you must excuse me. All
1 can say is. that like myself. he is one Of
the managers, and has full authority to
ask who he pleases. But what objection
is there to Miss Saunders 2"
"She's nothing but school teacher"
replied his sister, contemptuously.
"Oh, that's it, is it 2" said Frank, and
there was bit of sarcasm in his tone, as
he proceeded. " a school teacher is not
refined enough for my line lady OF sis
ter-is too ignorant suppose. and can't
converse as we'll as her companions. It
is too late, sister, to prevent her going,
but can tell my friend the state Of the
case, and. as he is desperately in love
with Miss Saunders. perhaps he won't re.
gret being compelled to mOnopolizo her
for himself. Of course none of you, |
suppose, will speak to herr
" No, no." said several voices, whose
owners did not care to sink in Franks
opinion, and who saw that he was in part
the champion of Miss Saunders emo, no,
that would be rude. We will be civil to
her, certainly"
+" But she will not be welcome" said
Frank. looking round the circle, that is
plain to perceive. However, ladies, as
the invitation has been given, am to see
that there is no disposition to insult her.
It's rather odd though, that in this repub.
lican country, an amiable young lady is
Stunned by her sex because the misfor>
tunes Of her family have compelled her
to teach school for a livelihood"
+" That's all very we'll for stump ora
tor, when he is canvassing to be elected
to Congress-" replied his sister. "and you
a physician, have an ambition that way.
| suspect. Only don't practice before.
hand on US. You wouldn't seriously
have your sister associate with girl
who worked FOR her living 2"
!" And why not q said Frank, his ine
eyes flashing. els it any moro disgrace
for a woman to work than a man L
honor the woman who supports herself, if
poor. far more than one who becomes a
tax on relatives"
+" That sounds very grand" said the
sister with sneer, al but how can girl
who spends her time in teaching, be eth
er accomplished or refined 2"
Very often" replied Frank, warmly,
they are the most truly accomplished
and refined of their sex. Mrs. Judson,
once Fanny Forester. was scheol-tea-
cher, and who can question her refine
ment, accomplishment, or worth ? Hun
dreds of others might be named also
The life of idleness in which most veal
thy and fashionable ladies indulge, is not,
allow me to say, half as we'll calculated
to develope the higher qualities of your
sex as teaching school and suffering pri,
walton. doubt if any body. man or wo.
man, is good for much until they have
been proved. and strengthened By the
trials of life ; and the gossipping, twad,
ding existence of fine lady. offers nc
such opportunities. My friend, l think
has chosen wisely to select a self-sustain.
ed and energetic, yet refined and intelli.
gent woman like Miss Saunders. He
will, when he marries, have wife, not
play thing"
And with these words, he bowed al
round and left the room.
His hearers were in consternation.-
Such sentiments they had never heard be
fore urged SO boldly; and many, VII,
courted Franks good opinion, regretted
that they had allowed their antipathy /,
n A.