Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-05
Selette0 sflistrllanp.


From Life illustrated.
A story for Business Mems Daughters
Now, like dear good mamma, will you
please beg papa to buy me that beautiful set of
pearls at Tiffany'sl All the girls in our circle
have some, and sure you would not wish me to
seem odd
MY dear child, il is utterly impossible your
father not afford it, and even if he could, it
would be piece Of useless extravaganza. entirely
unsuited to your age / consider it perfectly re-
dicul0us to see children like you bedecked like
some South Sea Islander.
ssWhy, mamma how you astonish me? Every
person knows papa is very rich, and there is Clara
Clinton's mother, who is acknowledged 10 be a
lady Of superior TASTE and she allows Clara TO
wear what she pleases."
MRS. Clinton has perfect right tc dress her
daughter according to her idea, but prefer to
see you in The simple garb so becoming to modest
girlhood. Your father, darling, is very much en-
barrassed at present, having entered into some
speculations 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 an
moving him for money for every elegant, costly
hiie you may be pleased with You know it
hurts him to refuse you."
- And have been forever teasing him about
nv dresses and Jewels. / would not have
1ou 20 uilkind, dear mother. had i known
What you say" said Meta Bancroft, with fearful
q Only tIoughtless, darling" said her mother.
Now attend to your lessOns-perhaps you may
be able to turn your education to advantage, and
assist your father should trouble come"
Meta Blncroft was a noble girl. From her
infancy she had been the light of home. With a
firm will and keen perception of right she never
wavered when she knew her duty. and although
reared in a home of affluence. and accustomed to
be petted and caressed, she was not spoiled. Yet
she was not entirely free from that great in
the female charaeter-rivalry about dress and
despite of her resolution, she was sadly disap-
pointed about the pearls In the evening, when
her father returned his face looked very troubled.
There was mournful tenderness in his eyes as
he met his wife and daughter with their accus-
toned kisses. The evening passed almost in 81
lence, and when Meta had retired to her room,
he said to his wife, " Alice, the blow has ialen
at last"
'sI had feared so, William" said his wife.
~But you have done all in your power to prevent
it. Gods viii be dOnel we will not murmur"
"And will you be willing to resign this home
for one of poverty he asked.
Willingly my husband. Iswould scorn to
keep up false appearance when we have not the
means to support it,"
my noble, noble wife, You have lightened
the burden on my heart; but will our daughter
be reconcied to such n changer"
"She is darling" said the mother fondly
To-day refused to allow her to make some ex
pensve purchases and intimated the reasou>sh,
Immediately acknowledged the justice of my re
fusal, and was really troubled TO think of the an
noyance her many frivolous requests must hav
cost YOU" ---r
The fathers eye Frightened. "Our revsrs
may be blessing to her--it will bring out ant
strengthen her character,
Are your hopes entirely blasted2" asked tn
wife.
Even the fr.str-e VIII be sold to satisfy cred
itors- may pess.aly aavs enough left to furnisl
few rooms, and Nix Greene, of the insuranc,
company, has promised ne situation Ny sal
sry VII be barely sufficient to support us How
ever, we Will do the best VIC can"
Under the ruthless hand of the auctionee
scmce an article was left unsold. Objects o
great value were sacrificed at half their cost.
With rare determination, on the day after Mr.
Bancroft's failure, his wife set out for the frs
time in her life, house hunting. In quiet stree
in Brooklyn she secured the upper apartments il
the house Of an cid widow lady, whose fami
consisted Of an only daughter. Early in the fol
lowing week they removed, and were soon com
fortably settled
Mr. Bancroft was happier than he expected t
be. The little parlor, with its cane chairs an
pretty carpet, looked so neat and comfortable
never mad ms vile looked so beautiful, attred u
simple calico, her cheek flushed, her eye bean
ing With happiness, and singing a scng as she prt
psred heir evening meal. Even Meta locke
more dgnifed, as she sat at a small table writin
copies for her scholars; for she had obtained
position as teacher in a school.
al never felt such contentment before" sai
the father. Really, people OF fashion have n
idea Of the pleasure they miss
"And. indeed, papa" said Meta, "I find moi
enjoyment and instruction in teaching my litt
class than in my association with people of Il
fashion. The character of my pupils is an inte
esting study; no two are alike. begin to thin
have found my vocation"
1--WE are all fitted to excel in some particul
vocation" said the mother, and We should ser
ously endeavor to know in what, before we ent
upon any work. See, my dear girl, the adva
tage of learning whatever we undertake perfect
If you had wasted your time and talents iii
many foolish person, you would not now be
Independent"
Meta grew up to be a true woman; and a
though she never wore the costly pearls wlIis
she saw at Tiffany's, yet in the cabinet of h
heart was enshrined those rsrer and richer pear
Of modesty, intelligence and virtue.