The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-02-05

mlre yourself front race, prohie; three quar-
ters, and behind.
L The beautiful wonson was reclinino on so
ia. But as snon as Almeric and che mendicant
caught sight Of her. they drew back with hor-
ro'; this beautiful woman was, in fact, mon
ster; while she thought herself perfection.
Every portion Of her was beaut'fus, and yet
she herself was frightfnl; the reason being
that the exaggeratioo Of all beauty composed
hideous whole, it is harmony which gives
grace to the things that we admire; i is mo-
ton winch gives life; but THIS beautiful wo-
man had neither grace nor molten.
excess oe ner vanity and her affec tation she lad
lost all her advantages; not content with being
beautiful az nature had created her. she wish
ed to be beautiful as beauty DEPICTED; she ex-
aggerated all her advantages, and thus chang
ed them into deformities.
she had wishes for silky hair, and had OBJ
tanned long silky hair without life or color: she
desired teeth Of pearls, and her teeth looked
positively dreadful; she longed for waist ta-,
pering as wa.p's, and her body, drawn with
in narrow girde, was without grace OF sup
pleness-it seemed as though she would come
!. in two at the slightest motion; she asked for
ha, ds Of alabaster, and her hands became dull
and cold; she wanted child's foot, and that
disproportioned foot, not being able to support
her body, would not permit her to take single
step. Never had ANYTHING so hideous met the
eve before; it was ideal aglmess!
a thousand centimes! how horrible the
beautiful woman is!o cried the mendicant,
s.she would make nv old woman active.n
And the young stranger could not forbear
laughing at this rejection.
THE BED.
II being now too late, they offered the two
strangers an apartment where they could pass
the night.
"Any of these rooms would be better than an
inn" thought Almeric, as tley followed the
valet, who conducted them into magnificent
bed chamber.
Exhausted with the fatigue Of the day, AL
neric hastened 10 undress, and TO get into a
splendid couch prepared for him.
But scarcely had he lain down when he ut
tered the most piercing cries
"Oh, it's horrible! arr half flayed; am in
torture! What does it all mean? What un-
heard-of crneliy!"-and score Of similar ex-
| clamations; and yet there was ,io great reason
for this outburst; for he was making these
complaints Of most beautiful piece Of work.
manship.
The clothes which covered the bed were of
Indian muslin, embreidered with little gold
sPangles; assnre you it was the most charm
ing thing imaginable; but he, who was only
accustomed to plain linen sheets, could not APP
preciate the spleldor. Time, my dear chil-
dren, is required to hsbituate ourselves to the
Inconvenience of luxury.
Poor Aimeric's feet were scfat he'd all over;
every fresh attempt he made to get out of bed
only raised little pieces Of his skin; his arms
We're bleeding with his exertlons
ssanity OF vanilles!'' ne cried; I'D man
merdicant, ies " fiy from here' There is no
sieepto be had III palaces; and wan, sleep I"
The old man catered az his call
u was wal Ing for you' after the god span-
gles'" ne said smiling, well. what do you
think OF them9 You must have sept glorious
~ in that splendid bed!"
"Let US ! let US fy!" said the young trav-
ei!er, wh was ~ no hamer for Joke; don't
wish 70 remain another nr IN this place =
Inc men are stupid the womea irlEhtfal;
4 hxra s,&