Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-03-11
Keeping up Appearance.

Keeping up Appearance.
81 should like an introduction to-day to
Mrs. Lane; do you think shall like her."
said 10 a would be fashionable young lady,
as we sat in :he beautiful parlor of lovely
village residence on S. street.
With a convenient lisp and drawl, she
looked up, saying" think you will Lot de-
sire 10 improve the acquaintance after an
Introduction, for she is such strange wo-
man; there is no pride or dignity iG hsr na-
turs whatever. Because her husband is
lawyer it does not seem any more OF an
honor to her, than though she were the Door
wife of cobbler or basket maker. When
Mr.. Lane was young, through the foolish
ness of his father. he learned the black
smith 5 trade, and heard her tell Mrs.
Wallace, the coopeI's wife, that she had
much rather her husband would work at his
trade for living, for the reason that con-
fnemeut and study were injuring his health.
"Such a woman! rather be blacksmith's
wife, and be closed with the common herd
than the wife of distinguished lawyer"
BLESS her!" | said to myself; "would to
heaven the world were filled with such wo-
men-devoted wives-true mothers" but |
only breathe1 it to my own interested self,
while hushed my indi gnation and merely
said, "she is an uncommon woman, truly"
Reassured by this questionable approval,
my victim fixed little prettier the folds OF
her il-fittiag borrowed silk dress, and shak-
ing scrubby looking curl forward OF jewel
ed ear, she proceeded LET me see,--it
was only last Tuesday saw her hurrying
down street with gingham sun bonnet and
check apron on. going to the grocery for
smoked ham, and in a few minutes she came
back carrying it in full sight in her unglov-
ed hands. met her, but treated her as
she deserved, for never turned my head,
but just looked as though didn't see her at
all.
Her husband is good linguist, and they
have prevailed upon him to teach class in
our college, and often when he is absent on
legal business, she attends in his stead
She teaches class in astronomy, too; and
is not az all a, hamed to be seen in min =
pence calico dress hearing the rectatlons.
She makes her own butter, and spins stock
ing yarn, and washes for some of the stud
ents, and won't have hired girl around.
Il often say TO mother that it is perfectly
degrading that such gifted and accomP-
lished woman should have such low views
of life, and should go far forget her and her
husband dignity, and their station in So
cie;y, as 10 do her own work"
| who think that woman's most glorious
mission is in living true liGe--living for
truth, and all good, and for eternity--oh! |
could have slmoss Crushed that spurnng,
little, proud atom of humanity, as lady
destroys the tiny rose-bug that does mis-
chief 10 the blooming petals o. her fragrant
roses; bat compressed the angry lip to
withhold the seething sarcasm, and walked
to the open indow and laid my cheek on
the cool dew laden flowers, until pleasant
thoughts had Gained my mind
Reasoning and holding up to the light
such errors, would be Of 10 avail TO irivoi-
Gus girl, for a vain or mistaken mother had
implanted and nourishcC the noxious grogth
of falsities, and nothing but experience and
long wears could eradicate them.
felt N.Y. heart warm toward the noble
woman, who, in spite of The poor snar!lns
aristocracy of a thriving country village
dared to live out what her own good sense
approved as right; and, when tall. plain
lady, with lovely soul looking out RADIANT
" from pair of clear hazel eyes, was point
ed out to me as Mrs. Lane, FASTENED TO
her, extended my hand, told her nay name,
and that loved her and had sought her ac-
quaihtance.
She did not simper ard FIX her face its
prertiest. and bow G-la- mode, and mercy
touch nv hard human hand with the tips of
her fingers-not bit of it! ] knew she
wouldn't, from the description the gossIpy
little flirt had given of her.
She laughed heartily and joyousy at my
laconic selG-introduction, and held my hand
long and warmly; and from that minute
sprang the pleasantest aud truest acqualnt-
ance ever had. She is noble woman;
she esteems the mission OF wife and moth
er glorious one, and wears her crown with
grace as proud and queenly as does Vic
toria her regal one.
The fashionable little lady, type Of half
of womanhood, still chefishes the same
darling errors, but is now able TO swing d
rustling silk all her own, to wear paste dia-
monds, and to present fne outward ap-
pearance, while to main ain it, her fathers
family foreeo books, papers, steak, ham,
cream in their coffee, a plenty Of bed and
tubIe linen, and many other comforts and
luxGries that are necessary.
R3sELLA.