The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-08-23
BIDDEFORD, MAINE, FRIDAY

rsht, she never WaVereu Wnen sne knew mel
duty. and although reared in the home o
ailluence. and accustomed to DO pctted and
caresscd, she was not spoiled. Yet she wa,
not entirely free from thar great error in the
female character, rivalry about dress; and
despite her resolution, she was sadly disap.
pointed about the pearls.
Iu the evening, when her father returned,
his face looked very troubled. There was a
mournful tenderness in his eye, rs he met bis
vile and daughter with their accustomed
kisses. The evening passed almost in silence,
and when Meta had retired to her room, he
said to his wife
"Alice, the blow has fallen a. last"
81 feared 50, William" said his wife, "But
you have done all in your power to prevent
it. Gods will be done, We will not mur-
mur."
"And will you consent to resign this home
for one of poverty'" he asked.
"Willingly, my husband. would scorn
to keep up false appearance when VIC have
not the mems to support it,"
"My noble. noble wifc. You havo light
ened the burden Of my heart. But will our
daughter be reconciled to such changer"
"She is a darling" said the mother, fond
ly. "To-day refused to allow her to make
some expensive purchases, and intiInating
the reason. she Immediately acknowledged
the justice of my refusal, and was really
troubled to think Of tho annoyance her
many frivolous requests must have caused
you"
The fathers eye frightened.
"Our reverse may be blessing for her
It will bring out and strengthen her charac-
ter"
"Are your hopes entirely blastcd'" asked
tho wife.
Even the furniture will he sold to satisfy
creditors. may possibly have enough to
furnish few rooms. aud Mr.. Green, Of the
insurance company has Promised mo situ-
alton. My salary will bo barely sufficient to
support us. However. we will do the best
we can"
Under the ruthless hand Of the auctioneer
scarce an article was unsold. Objects Of
very great value were sacrificed at hal. their
cost
With rare determination, on the day after
Mr.. Bancroft's failure, his wife act out for
the FIRST time in her life, house-hnnting. In
a quiet street in Brooklyn, she secured the
upper apartments in the house OF an old
widow lady, whose family consisted of an
only daughter. Early in the following week
they removed, and were soon comfortably
settled.
Mr.. Bancroft was happier than he expect
ed To be. The little pIrlor. with It's cane
chairs and pretty carpet, looked 50 neat and
Never had his wife looked so
in simple calico, her
cheek flushed, her eye bcaming with happi'
ness. and singing song us sheprepared their
evening meal.
Even Meta looked more dignifed as she
sat at small table writing copies for her
scholars; for she had obtained position as
teacher in school.
IL never felt such contentment before"
said the father. "Rcally, people OF fashion
have no ide, of the pleasure they miss"
''And indeed. para" said Meta, "I find
more enjoyment and instruction in teaching
my little class than during my association
with people offashion. The character ofmy
pupils is an interesting study; no two are
alike. begin to think I have found my vo-
cation"
1--WE arc all fitted to excel in somc partic-
ular vocation, said tho mother, "and wc
should seriously endcavor to know in what,
before we enter upon any work. See, my dear
girl, the advantage Of learning what we un.
dertako perfectly. If you had wasted your
time and talents, like many foolish person,
you would not now be so independent"
Meta grew up to bs q true woman; and
although she never wore the costly pearls
which she saw at Tiflany's, yet in the cabin.
ct Of her heart were enshrincd thosa rarer
and richer pearls ofmodesty, intelligence and
virtue.