The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1857-11-05
which is tIIc Ludyi

dow where we sat together.
Z" Oh Mr. and Mrs. Garret live there. They are |
young people, and wish you could see the lady, !
cousin Henry"
why Hettie ?"
Because she Is so perfectly lady-likc. It is
really luxury to ones uesthetic faculties to watch
her. cannot keep my eyes of her when she
comes in here every movement is so full of grace.
She walks across the room or takes seat in u
way that is perfectly captivating in short, size
realizes my idea Of lady graceful, elegant, re-
fined--what are you laughing ut Cousin Henry ?"
AT yourself Forgive me dear, but see you
haven't lost your old intensity of language since
we parted believe, however extravagaut ad-
jectives are one of the ,failings Of your ser. II
should like 10 see this paragon of yours, anyhow.
We'll, you shall, tomorrow afternoon. How
fortunate that mamma invited her aud Mrs Pease
10 tea"
And who is Mrs Pease ?"
Another of our recent neghbors. She lives in
that neat straw-colored brick house. llst down the
road. Bat dear me she isn't Mt all like Mrs
Carrot, though they are old friends and school,
mates. She is fat and dumpy, and so clumsy
They do say, though, she is very kindhenrtcd."
had not seen Cousin Henry Ward for years.
He had been in California during this time, and
his return was an occasion Of great rejoicing to
me.
The next afternoon our neighbors made their
advent. Mrs Garret was elegant fascinating as
ever, aud saw Cousin Henry who like most men
of his temperament, highly appreciated grace and
beauty, was much attracted by the ludys manner
Perhaps her face was not regularly beautiful,
but its brightness and vvacity more than atoned
for this aud there was grace. and ease, and
seEpoSsession in every movment aud manner, which
impressed every one. Her voice was clear and
soft, her conversation cultivated and piquant and
it seemed as il IN atmosphere Of elegance and re-
tinement enviroued her at all times.
Very unlike this WAS his friend, Mrs Pease. Her
manners wer. not unIady-lika, and her conversa-
ton was pleasing and intelligent but her mould
WAS very different from her friends who, perhaps,
was not unaware Of the marked contrast between
them, for Mrs. Pease's figure was large, heavy and
inelegant. | do not be.itve she could have
committed graceful action and while Mrs Gar
rets taste in dress was exquisite Mrs. Peases
of fitness Of arrangement and harmony Ct color
was remarkably obtuse.
But just before tea a circumstance occurred
which materially affected our relative estimates OF
the ladies'
Mrs. Winters another Of our ncighbors, called
to see u.s. She was pretty, rather characteress,
and on the whole, well meaning sort Of woman
who lived in very dashing style, and was very
anxious TO ignore her early life, which was OBJ
Scurc. But then we all have our weakness, and
if Mrs. Winters lacked moral courage in this
matter, most likely you and do in some other,
! reader
| observed that our new guest seemed little
embarrassed when presented her to the others,
and partly OWNED the cause when they spoke Of
being natives Of the same town.
| You have, however, altered so much should
hardly recognize you, Mrs. Winters" remarked
Mrs. Garrett in their conversation, But you know
we used to meet almost every afternoon you re-
turned from the factory and from school, Her
voice was very low aud soft, but it seemed to me
there was little consciousness in the smile that
curved the lips Of the lady, while Mrs. Winters
face changed suddenly to CRIMSON, Us she stammer-
ed some incoherent reply.
| Mrs. Pease interrupted her suddenly, and very
earnestly: "l too remember you Mrs Winters,
because of those delightful visits W. used to have
together at your uucles, the CJloneIs. You know
he quite the lion OF our tOwnand then my faith
er Thought so much OF HIM" Mrs. Winters lace
beamed with smiles, she turned it toward Mrs
Plasc but doubt whether she felt SO happy aS
that lady just then. ......
j "Wel Sara" remarked Mrs Glrret, while We
were at supper, " always thought you hadn't the
slightest lcaven of art in your mature. Bat really
doubled when you made thai uery elective speech
|. to Mrs. Winters"
!, did you, Annie?" SAID Mrs Peasc. "Wcil,
couldn't help feeling sorry for her, when you allu
dad TO her factory lite She wishes to forget her
anteceutntSi anu II VIC cannot respect ncr motives
We certainly should her feelings"
/ IL don't agree with you, Sara The elegant
: lady was evidently disturbed. " II people are SC
weak as to be ashamed Of their antecedenls, they
should be exposed and mortified. | intended shC
| should understand knew just who she was, anc
I how she worked for several years in my father
factory aud married his foreman.
And now on account of the sudden fortune ht
has acquired, she presumeI to talls airs and SETS
herself IN an emin.nce with those who always
: thought her infinitely beneath them, lis really
= quite ridiculous.
But her manners are certainly refined, Annie
as much So rs many rich mans daug ter | have
Z seen"
Well, her father was drunkard. anil he
. mother poor shif, less creature That remark o
yours about the Colonel must have boon very nc
} ceptablc for honestly believe he was the onI,
! respectable relative Martha Winters ever had"
Some occurrence, forgot what, prevented an!
reply to this irouica conclusion OF Mrs Carrots
= And that is your ideal of perfect lddy,'--ol
Nettie !" said my Cousin Henry, when we wcr
5 alone that evening.
" shall never love Mrs Garrett any more
answered, drumming desperately on the piano key
- Any woman WAC couil wantOnly injure the feel
+; lngs Of another cannot be a lady
"You are right, cOusin N1te,' and Henry cam
D up to me and dr.w back my mead, aud smoO;he
= down my har, Just rs he used 10 dO' wsun we SAT
j in the late autumn days under tho heavy bdrher
= ry bushes, " no woman can be laiy who woul'
l. wouad or morliGy another. No matter how beautIu
how refined, how cultivated She may be- she
coarse grained, and the innate vulgarity Of her na
ture mancSIs itself here. She is plehan, not i
birth or 10 unc it may be. bat in her soul
How wish all good people were beautiful
! and agreeable" | said. Now there's Mrs Peasc
after oil, she's the true lady AMI then fell L
linking.
. '.of what are you thinking, NettO?' at las
said my cousin
al was thinking how the angels estimate Of u
must differ from our own; for they with thei
clearer vision behold that beauty of SOUL whic
no homcliness of setting can dim or obscure. Ho'
b little must the earthly oveliness we so much va
ne seem to them. Oh, when shall we, to whom
beaut6 is a joy and yet who feol and Ocknowedg
a loveiiness beyond any which is outward and ser