The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-06-12
MiGtrllgnruns,
Only q Printer.

"IIad a tale to recount of the olden
time, laying the scene thereof in England,
France, Spain or any of the old countries,
to us associated with 80 much romance and
cOrscou, gandeur, in which there would be
a plenteous sPrinkling Of lords and ladies,
priests and nuns, magnificent palaces, haunt
Cd castles and gloomy monasteries, it would
be Ear more acceptable to the great masses
than if the scene was laid here in this land
of ploddinS Yankees, railroads, manuGacto-
rics and cotton spcculations nevertheless,
| will endclvor to spin you yarn, which.
by the way is not altogether yarn, but
facts and unvarnishcd truths"
"I had the pleasure of spendinSa few
days recently" continued Gov. f., "with u
distinguished friend OF mine in Richmond,
and, while there, heard the following con-
veration between the wife and daughter Of
my host.
..l.a me, what atimpcrtinence I" exclaim'
ed Lizzie X, as she scanned a beautiful COL
ored note handed her by the servant.
"What occasions your surprise - in
Quircd her mother.
"Rathcr say Indignation, mother, at being
asked, and even urged to take ten this even
ing at Mn. Downer's, the tanners wife,
"And why should you not, my dear?'
"Think you i, would be proper, mother,
for me, the daughter OF Judge n, one of the
wcalthiest and most distinguished men of
the city, to associate with such low-brcd
mechanics ~
"Indeed, my daughter, if they are me-
chanics, they are people well to do in the
world, respectable. pious, agreeable, and in
every way worthy of your acquaintance
"Really, mother" continued the young
lady, as she tossed her pretty head, lin
disposed to think differently, and so far from
encouraging, prefer always being removed
as Far as possible, from the laboring classes
Besides, how is it expected that should en-
Joy myself in conversation with such people,
who only talk about the markets, and their
own private concerns. Quite an intellectual
tete.a t,te would it be, mother, dear?'
"Oh! fe, Lizzie, fe but lam to blame
for this. I've shown you too much indui
gcnce you are spoiled child, so | must
even now set about repairing my garden
and pluck out the weeds and tares ere it be
too late"
"Come sit down beside me, Lizzie, and l
will give YOU your lesson Of worldly WISDOM
from INV great store OF worldly experience,
by relating to you story, which trust
will lower your pride, and make you bet
tar woman. 4 woman with no pride, my
daughter. is but dronlng, easy creature
bat one with too much, is naughty, nigslrd-
ly aud selfish both the extremes are con-
tcmptible and mean. Be-, then, neither too
! Gashionably dressed, nor too slovenly, too
deyout, nor to wo,ldly. \ mere butterfly
in the world Of fashion and pleasure, max
7 ius but small pretentiOns to religion, is a
character bad enough, but worse to my
thinking is the fiery zcalot, on the other
hand, who has too many rigid virtues; who
is continually revilins against tho world,
disple.sed at anything like socialand ration
al eujlymeut, and shocked at the lcas; mcr-
riment, dancing, playing or any amnse-
mcnt that the heart in its lullncss and glad
ness, prompts the young and sprishtly to
indulge. 10 then avoid extremes of every
description
But to the story. Sixteen years ago,
Salem in Virginia, was one Of the mos: live
IIy Villages imaginable; ; situated in the heart
J Of the great valley Of Virginia, yet com
manding magnificent view of the bold out
lines Of the Allcghanies and the Blue Ridsc.
The village contained no buildinss of note
save two one of them u magnificent tene
men,, the princcly residence OF one of the
old Virginia aristocrats, the other the only
inn, a small, quaint, yet pleasant house nes'
lied IN the center Of tho town. Tho propri