Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-18
WHICH Is THE LADY?


Henry pointed to the pretty pink cottage, hid
ing behind its dark cedars and dropping arch-
es, which we could see very plainly from the
front chamber window where we sat together.
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 perfectly lady-like. Ii is
really luxury 10 ones aesthetic faculties 10
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 way that is perfectly cap
tivatng in short, she realizes my idea of la
dy, graceful, elegant, re6ned-what are you
laughing at, Cousin Henryr
Al yourself. Forgive me, dear, but | see
you have mt lost your old intensity Of language
since we parted. | believe, however, extrava-
giant adjectves are one of the failings of your
sex. should like to see this paragon of
yours
We'll, you shall, tomorrow afternoon
How fortunate that mamma invited her and
Mrs. Pease to tea
And who is Mrs. Peasel'
Another Of our recent neighbors. She
lives in that neat, straw-colored brick-house
just down the road. But, dear me she isn't
at all like Mrs. Garret, though they are old
friends and school-mates. She's fat and dunn
py, and so clumsy and gauche. They do say,
though she is very kind hearted. Hark
doesn't that robin sing sweetly in the old elm =
And listening to the notes as they pulsed up
and down through the green leaves, | forgot
all about the gossip with which had been en-
tertaining my companinon during the morning
| had not seen Cousin Henry Ward for four
years. He had been in California during this
lime, and his return was an occasion Of great
rejoicing 10 me. There was no ties beside
those of kindred existing between US, for Hen
rvs hlue-eyed wife, Clara Hunter, haG been
the ;enderly beloved companion of my eirlhood.
She now visiting hor parents in the West,
and as business brought him TO New York soon
after his return, he managed to run up to Wood
fern for a couple of days.
Cousin Henry was little eccentric in his
views and opinions. am certain never quar-
relied with any other man half so much as
have with him. am certain never loved
two others as well. His heart was warm,
generous, true one and his perceptions of
character were remarkably acute so, from
childhood We had quarreed.
The next afternoon our eighbors made their
advent. Mrs Garret was elegant, fascinating
as ever, and | saw Cousin Henry, who, like
most men of his temperament, highly apprecia-
led grace and beauty, was much attracted by
the ladys manner.
Perhaps her face was not regularly beauti-
ful, but its brightness and vivacity more than
atoned for this; and there was grace, an ease
and self possession in every movement and man
ner, which impressed every one.
Very unlike this her friend. Mrs. Pease.-
Her manners were not unladylike, and her con-
versaton was pleasing and intelligent; but her
mould was very different from her friends,
who, perhaps was not aware of the marked con-
irast between them, for Mrs. Pease's figure was
large, heavy and inelegant. do not believe
she could have committed graceful action
and while Mrs. CARROTS taste in dress was ex-
Quisite, Mrs. Pease s sense of fitness of arrange
ment and harmony of color was remarkably OBJ
tuze.
But Just before tea, circumstance occurred
which materially affected our relative estimates
of the ladies'.
Mrs. Winters, another of our neighbors, call
ed to see US. She was pretty, rather char
acterless, 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 obscure. But then, we all have
our weakness, and if Mrs. Winters lacked NOR
al courage in this matter, most likely you and
| do in some other, reader.
| observed that our new guest seemed III
tie 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 much, should
hardly recognize you, Mrs. Winters, remarked
Mrs. Garret, in the course of their conversation.
But you know we used to meet almost every
afternoon, as you returned from the factory and
| from school, Her voice was very low and
soft, but it seemed to me there was little con-
seriousness in the smile that curved the lips of
the lady, while Mrs. Winters face changed
suddenly to crimson, as she stammered some in
coherent reply.
Mrs. Pease interrupted her suddenly, and
very earnestly; Il too, remember you, Mrs.
Winters, because of those delightful visits we
used to have together at your uncle's the Col
onel. You know he was the lion of our town,
and then, my father thought so much of him. '
Mrs. Winters face beamed with smiles, as she
turned it toward Mrs. Pease, bn; doubt wheth-
er she felt so happy as that lady just then
We'll. Sarah remarked Mrs. Garret, while
we were at supper, 'Ialways thought you hadn't
the slightest leaven of artin your nature. But
! really doubted it, when you made that yery
effective speech to Mrs. Winters
'Did you Annie' Well, couldn't help
feeling very sorry for her, when you alluded to
her factory life. She wishes to forget her an
iecedents, and if we cannot respect her motive,
we certainly should her feelings.
Il don't agree with you, Sarah The ele-
giant lady was evidently little disturbed, If
people are so weak as to be ashamed of their
antecedents, they should be exposed and mori'
fled. intended she should understand knew
just how she was, and how she worked for sew
eral years in my fathers factory and married
his foreman.