Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-12-10


ficulty suppressing smile, for he was too
well bred to laugh.
AS the two slowly walkcd through the
rooms, several young ladies glanced con-
temptuously at Fanny, laughed audibly,
and whispered to each other, in toncs suf-
iciently loud to be heard by her.
"Who is she, ! wonder p remarked one.
81 should think that Mr.. Briggs would
think more of himself than to be seen
promenading with that country specimenl'
'Look at her dress!" said another, with
a sneer. "One might suppose she import
ed her own fashions and fabrics. Suppose
we borrow the pattern. 1t is lamentable
that it should disappear with the weaver !"
"And the comb and head -dressr' Chin
ed in third. "Why, a country milliner
might begin business with the ribbons that
she wearsl'
Fanny walked on, not at all disconcert-
ed by these observations, and an attentive
observer might have detected smile Of
peculiar significance playing about her
finely chiselled lips.
"Do not heed what they say, Miss Far
ley" said the gentleman, earnestly, upon
whose arm she was leaning. "No true Ia
dy would make such remarks" This was
said in low tone of voice.
"Their observations do not annoy me in
the least" she replied, quietly; "but only
prove the truth Of the old adagc, that
'ine feathers make fine birds, and demon
strate the weakness of the human mind" ;"
The gentleman turned towards her in
astonishment! Did he hear aright2 Was
it his companion that had been speaking
Before he had settled the subject to his
satisfaction, Sarah Lindsay came forward
and touched Fanny upon the arm.
"Fanny Farleyp' she whispered, angri-
ly, show dared you come below in this
frightful looking dressl Don't you per-
ceive how the people are laughing and
ridiculing your What have you been
saying?'
"Monosyllables," replied our heroine
aloud. "They never hurt anybody"
Sarah's eyes flashed, but she dared mo-
give vent to her indignation in words.
"Mr. Briggs" said Miss Lindsay, turn
ing to the gentlemen, "dancing has beer
; proposed, and sets are being formed in thu
next room. Will you join us?"
II have engaged to escort this lady
through the apartments, otherwise SHOULD
be most happy to do So" was the polite
reply.
'sCousin Sarah, hadn't you better hav
f that heavy looking thing with prongs il
: it moved out of the entry? It'll hur
some one yet" added Fanny, as Sarah wa
: turning haughtitly away.
"What do you mean?' asked the latter
, as she quickly stepped towards the hall
: II see nothing but the hat tree"
t "a pronged hat tree T. exclaimed on
Q of the young ladies we have mentioned
with laugh.
t Sarah's face was crimson with mortifi
cation as she hastened to Miss George
y man, and taking her arm, left the room.
= "Do you dance, Miss Farley?" aske
Fanny's gallant.
t eff you'd ever seen me 60 through
Q double and t,oisted hornpipe, you wouldR
! ask that question:" was the rejoinder, a
: she hurried him away.
i The dancing had already commenced
n and they took seats to look on; but tn
y exhilarating music soon caused the tn
d feet of Fanny to beat time to the measure
e Her companion remarked the fact, an
asked her to join in the next dance, whic
n was simple one. Fanny had no idea {
y refusing, and in spite of the frownin
6 looks of Sarah, who stood in opposit
corner, she took her place beside him o
= the floor.
d Mr.. Briggs-as he was called-posses
N ed the manners of perfect gentleman
He was polite, in the truest sense of Il
D word, viz: kind, attentive, and respectfi
6 to all. He was afluent, held high ST
ton in society, and was esteemed by tho
,e who had the good fortune to make his a
RS quaintance.
y, He saw Fanny ridiculed, slighted, ar
er treated with disrcspect by certain cliqu
because she was differently dressed, al
I'd withal appeared rather unsophisticated.-
IN This called forth his sympathies, al
Id though stranger, he Immediately show
her that attention which his code of p
h. litsness dictated.
se 1t must.be confessed that he felt som