Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-01-20

CuiilofOuo ucCau>c VII lail iofs IcCSi'iuS
company exactly as we would wish to
be received. and making no display
which time, place, or circumstance
docs not seem to dictate best TO be
done One who strives for this will
always be gcnteel, il there is. any
meaning in the word.
We once knew a lady of small
means who had been invited 20 many
parties in city of some wealth. prob
ably on her husbands account, he be-
ing man of intellect and holding a
prominent position. Wishing to give
party in return, in order to be gem
teel, as she expressed it, she borrowed
every thing that her ncighbors would
lend in the way of ornaments or lux
uries. Her table was profuselv loaded
with silver and china; her mantles and
brackets groaned under their burdens
of marble and bronze. Her rooms
were ali aglow with astrals and giran-
doles, which 364 days in the year
made bright other homes. And even
borrowed servants shone in borrowed
feathers for the hour, who danced at
tendance upon other ladies' at all other
times, and heard her and her party rid
iculed for weeks after by those for
whom all this great feast was made.
What was the consequence? Mrs.
b. whispered to Mrs. c., This is my
lamp" and Mrs. G. responded, with a
litter, ".And this is my vase" and so
the joke went round, while the vain
lady, who had rackc,l her brains for a
week in endeavoring to be genteel. and
whO had succeeded most admirably, so
far as outward appearances were con
ccrncd, was the theme of ridiclle for
her guests during the whole evening
and for years aftcrward. She proba-
bly, does not know even now how
heartily they despised her endeavors,
nor how much more they would have
respected her had she hal courage to
have invited them, and give them a
kindly reception, according to her
means, entertaining them the while
with cheerful conversation, appropri-
ate anccdote, or enlivening music-for
in some of these accomplishments the
lady really was not wanting.
There are ladies' who would not be
caught at church or lecture-room Gin
that old bonnet or shawl" and SC
lose the services of the sanctuary oil
the rich treat of amusement or infor-
nation, and are thereby made poorer
for lifetime. Poor things do they
net know that this fastidious fear is a
tacit acknowledgment that it is their
clothes that gives them place in soci-
ETY., aud not their heads and hearts.
Several years ago a wedding party,
standing upon the shores of Tennes-
see, hailed a steamer that was blowing
mp the Mississippi, and demanded to
be taken on board. The steamer
obcvcd the summons, and soon some
eight or ten dashing bellies and beauy
male their way through the gentle
mans saloon into the ladies' cabin
They were attircd in all tho gaudy
show Of "fcathcrs and finery." As
they passed. along, they made sundry
remarks about the "mcanncss of the
boat" nobody that was anybody on
board, wished they had waitcd fol
the packet" and so on. Old No
ra, stout colorel woman who actetl
as chambermail, stood with her hands
behind her, leaning against the door
of stateroom, surveying the party
with incffable contempt. As they
passed by her she rolled up the white
of her eyes, and addressing herself to
vacancy, in language loud enough fol
those near to hear, exclaimed
"Thcm's S trash-I knows 'em quick
as 'em steps foot on de boat-can'l
fool me. They may hang themselves
with silks, and satins, and fiouneems
and Jewels all over, from de head tc
dc foot, but / knows 'em. De lady
ncber goes from de outside in, but al
ways come from dc inside out, fine RIG
neber made a lady in dis created
worl."
Old Nora's philosophy was grca
truth. If one would 60 in and hold :
first position in society, they must b'
truly genteel, polite, wellbreil, fre'
from vulgarity. refined and polished
and | would add gentle and truthful
and full of loving kindness. n posi-
tion gained from these sfandpoints cal
never be lost by one freak of fashioI
or folly. Be thyself. act up the high
est instincts of nature, search the with
in for its brightest jewels and wea
them unblushingly, and they vii
grow brighter and more beautiful b,
the friction of each day.
ST. LOUIS, 1858. Emery s journal