The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-03-06
Story for Basiness Mems
Dlu2 hters.


of pearls at Tiffany's? All the girls in our
circle have some, and surely you would not
wish me to seem odd"
"My dear child, it is utterly impossible
your father cannot afford it, and even it he
could, it would be piece Of useless eztrava-
gance entirely unsuited to your age. Icon-
slider it perfectly ridiculous to see children
like Won bedecked with tr,nkets like some
South Sea Islander"
"Why, mamma, how you astonish me
Why, every person knows papa is very rich,
and there is Clara Clinton's mother, who is
acknowledged to be,a lady Of superior taste,
and allows Clara to wear what she pleascs"
'Mrs. Clinton has perfect right to dress
her daughter according to her idea F; but |
prefer to sec you in the simple garb so b.
coming to modest girlhood. Your father,
darling, is very much embarrassed at pres
ent, having entered into some speculaticns
which fear will prove disastrous; we will
then be obliged to leave this splendid house
and seek one more suited to our means. /
tell you this, my child, that you may not be
annoying him for money for every elegant
costly trife you may be pleased with. You
know it hurts me to refuse you"
"And have been forever teasing him
about new dresses and jewels. I would not
have been so undkind, dear mother, had
known what you say" said Meta Bancroft
with fearful eyes. ..............
"Only thoughtless, darling" said her
mother. "Now attend to your lessons
perhaps you may be able to turn your edu-
cation to advantage, and assist your father
should trouble come"
Meta Bancroft was noble girl From
her infancy she had been the light Of home.
With firm will and keen perception of right.
she never wavered when she knew her duty,
and although reared in home OF affluence
and accustomed to be petted and caressed,
she was not spoiled. Yet she was not en-
tirelv free from that great error in the female
character, rivalry about dress and despite
of her resolution, shew sadly disappointed
about the pearls. In the evening, when her
father returned, his face looked very troub-
led. There was mournful tenderness in
his eye as he met his wife and daughter with
their accustomed kisses. The evening pass
ed almost in silence, and when Meta had
retired to her room he said to his wife, "Alice,
the blow has fallen at last"
81 had feared so. William" said his wife.
"But you have done all in your power to
prevent it. Gods will be done we will not
murmur"
"And will you be willing to resign this
home for one Of poverty p he asked.
Willingly, my husband. would scorn
to keep up false appearance when we have
not the means to support it,
"My noble, noble wife. You have light
ened the burden on my heart. But will our
daughter be reconciled to such a change ?"
"She is a darling" said the mother fond
ly. "To-day | refused to allow her to make
some expensive purchases, and intimated the
reason ;she Immediately acknowledged the
justice Of my refusal, and was really troub-
led to think Of the annoyance her many
frivolous requests must have caused you"
The fathers eve frightened. "Our re-
verse may be blessing for her-it will
bring out and strengthen her character"
care your hopes entirely blasted ~ asked
the wiie
'Even the furniture will be sold to satis-
fy creditors. I may possibly have enough
left to furnish few rooms, and Mr.. Greene
OF the insurance company has promised me
situation. NY salary will be barely suffi-
cient to support us. However, we will do
the best we can."
Under the ruthless hand of the auctioneer
scarce an article was left unsold. Objects of
great value were sacrificed at half their cost.
With rare determination, ou the day after
Mr.. Bancroft's failure, his wife set out for the
first time in her life house hunting. In
quiet street in Brookln, she secured the up
per 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 expected
to be. The little parlor, with its cane chairs
and pretty carpet, looked so neat and COM
fortable-never had his wife looked so beau
tiful. Attired in simple calico, her cheek
flushed, her eye beaming with happiness,
and singing song as she prepared their
evening meal. Even Meta looked more dig
nified as she sat at a small table writing
copies for her scholars for she had obtained
a position as teacher in school.
81 never felt such 'contentment before"
said the father. "Really, people CT fashion
have no idea Of the pleasure they MISS"
Sand indeed, papa" said Meta, 81 find
moro enjoyment and instruction in teaching
my little class than during my association
with people Of fashion. The character of
my pupils is an interesting study; no two
are alike. begin to think have found my
vocation"
ave are all fitted to excel in some par
ticular avocation," said the mother, 'and we
should seriously endeavor to know in what,
before we enter upon any work. See, my
dear sirl, the advantage Of learning what
ever We undertake perfectly. If you had
wasted your time and talents like many a
foolish person, you would not now be so in
dependent"
Meta GREW nm to h, 4 frla woman. and