Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1861-09-20
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1861.

ter, Mildred never took any pains TO Z" MAKE
the most Of herself" II her income Wal
expended, 1t was certainly not in the pur
chase Of an expensive wardrobe. Sho al
ways wore gray or brown. or some Other
undecided neutral tint. in no way remarka
bio. Now Mildred was n brunette, with q
skin clear and somewhat pale, soft gray
eyes. and hair no,iceably black to all such
the above tints are peculiarly inappropriate
aud unbccoming. And in this couneci'on,
lc, me utter . protest against the prevailing
passion for gray. Il isa serviceable color
certainly, suitable for travelling and similar
occasions. and we'll fitted for those some.
wha, advanced in years at any time. but
why must II salute our eyes ia every direc.
tion' Why mus. we pass group after
group Of ladies, many Of them young and
pretty. and all a,,ired in the inevitable
gray2 Nature teaches US moro wisely
when in good.humor sho rrjoices in skies oi
urli'hHt b'uN' suHbSNs w wv" f'S' ""'
rainbow tinted flowers. I, is only when
ad. or ou, OF temper, that she gives US
skies Of drab and lcaden.hucd mi.ts. There.
fore moru. ladies fair. and bes,ow upon Us
once mora those charming tints 50 well
suited to the bloom Of youth and Sraee'
There was some excuse. however. for
Mildred her early lIf- had been saddened
BY the loss OF those she loved, and shs had
worn sad.colored garments 80 much, thai
now brish, ones .eeme! out Of place TO her
To night she has on u mis,.colOrcd tissue,
the effect OF which almost totally anuuls that
Of tho clear. decided ,ln,.. which are the
predominant characteristics OF her style.
You are no, enJoying yourself a, all,
says Vincent. f" nobody but me ~ talk to-
Mildri replied. with q pleasant, smile,
tba, " Nobody bu, me" ]. very kind and
interesting companion.
Joe, here, the music striking up, n bril-
liant idea seemed to lash upon Vincent.
lle started OF. aud presently returned with
young man ro,ten up in tho mos, FAULT.
lc., style. This gentleman eyed Mildred
somewhat dubiou.ly. then elevat,ng hi,
eyebrows in ra,roniling tones, extended an
invitation for the rcdowa.
Disresarding vigorous nudge from Vim
cent. Mildred returned quietly;
Fancy dances are quite out Of my line,
cir"
The gentleman elevated his eyebrows 'till
further, plainly expressing in his lace,
"what upon earth are you good for shcn p
and bc.,owins an indignant glance upon
Vincent, whom he e,iden,ly regarded a. ha,-
ipg Intentionally deluded him, stalked OF.
"Now. cousin MIL" broke out st. John.
in an injured tone. that's the way you
serve me. | introduce you TO tho best
dancer IN the room. and you refuse him,
Don't tell me you can { dance, for you know
You've tried to teach me, and would have
succeeded II anybody could. only I'm a.
awkward nobody can. You'll never make
any stir 10 society II you do 50. depend up.
on H."
Mildred had just returned -erensly, "M Ny
time has no, come yet, cousin mine;" when
thero wa.a little stir and sudden turn.
ing Of heads, and Mrs. Leonard Paxton
came floating down the long room. at,ired
in an Indian fabric - hno as to DO almos,
impalpable. There was no, . bncclc. on
her perlec, arms. nor did her breast or hair
acknowledge the sparkle OF asnsle jewel.
Diver. Of the ladies present. who on thi.
warm July evening were wearing heavy
brocadc. and ornaments in prolusion, gave
ven, to ejaculation, OF disappointment, and
surprise. Patience nobody would ever
think ,ha, she was the wife Of a millionaire.
Why, [ thought she'd DO dressed To kill,
with io, Of diamonds on at the very least. "
Ah! we'll, If we American people are the
cu,cst people under the sun, we have dsa'
to learn in matters OF taste
Mrs. Paxton had been at Newport about
q week, when the various ladies Of her no.
quaintance were invited to hold q confer
euce IN her private parlors. among them the
St. Johns. Each one eagerly complied, in
fu,,er Of curiosity to know wha, the inri'
ta,ion might iorbode. When they had as.
sembled. Mrs. Paxton, tskinga position in
tho center, said
81 have no doubt, ladies, that like my
self. you are beginning to find Newport
feariully dull"
Now most Of those addressed were enjoy.
Ing themselves wonderfully. But then Mrs
Leonard Paxton had given them to under
stand ,ha, this was impossible. and 30 they
all murmured in chorus:
4" Intolerable! A perfect bore"
All bot Mildred. who merely smiled q
little.
"we,l," continued their hostess, " |.
occurred to me tba, u No codld got up q
concert. tablcau, or, better than all, play,
il would relieve the monotony. l have ap'
piled to several hirat1v, Of my acquain'
tancs for assistance, but they plead over.
taskod brains, or offer MSS. which the
l.. 4 -.