Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-05-21
A story for Business Mems
Daughters.


please beg papa 10 buy me that beautiful
set of pearls ut Tifany's? All the girls
in our circle have some, and surely you
would not wish me TO seem odd"
My dear child, It's utterly impossible
your father cannot afford it, and even u
he could, it would be piece of useless ex.
travaganco entirely uDsuited to your age
consider 1t perfectly ridiculous 70 see
children like you bedecked with trinkef>
like some South Sea Islander"
Why, mamma, how you astonish me
Why, every gerson knows para is yery
rich, aud there is Clara Clintun's mother,
who is acknowledge to be lady Of supe-
rior taste, and allows Clara to wear what
she p!eases"
Mrs. Clinton has perfect right to
dress her daughter according to her idea
but | prefer to see you in tue simple garb
so becoming 10 modest eirlho0e. Yuur
father, darling, is very much enibarra ssed
at present, having entered into some spec
ulations which fear will prove disastrous
we will then be obliged to leave this splen.
did house aud 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 him to
refuse YOU"
And have been for ever teasing him
about new dresses and jewels. | would not
have been 81 unkind, dear mother, had |
known what you say" said Meta Ban
croft. with fearful eyes.
Only Houghiless, 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,
shc uld 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 hcme of
attiuencr, and accustomed to be petted and
and caressed, she was not spoiled Yet she
was not entirely free from that great error
in the female character, rivalry about
dress; ard despite Of her resolution, she
was saG'y disappointed about the pearls
In the evening, when her father returned,
his face looked very troubled. There was
mourntuI tenderness in his eye as be met
his wife and daughter with their accus-
toned kisses. The evening passed almost
III silence, and when Meta had retired to
Der room, he said to his wife:
Alice, the blow has fallen at last"
g had feared so, William" said bis 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?" he asked.
Willingly, my husband would seorE
t. keep up false appearance, when we
have Mt the means to support it."
My noble, noble wife You have light
ered the burden on my heart. But will
our daughter be reconciled to such a
change"
4" She is a darling" said the mother.
fondly. To-day refused to allow her to
make some expensive purchases, ana init
mattel the reason: she Immediately ac-
knowledged the justice Of my refusal, and
was really troubled to think of the annoy-
anee her many frivolous requests must have
cansed you'
The fathers eye frightened. "Our re-
verse may he a blessing for her-it will
bring out and strengthen her character"
Are your hopes entirely biased ?''
asked the wife
Even the furniture will be sold to SAT-
isfy NY creditors. | may possibly have
vi r.
Green, Of the insurance company, has prom
ised me situation. My salary will be
barely sufficient to support US. However,
we will do the best we can.
Uhde" the ruthless hand Of the auctioneer
scarce an article was left unsnld Objects
f great value were sacrificed at half their
cost.
With rare determination, on the dav after
Mr.. Bancroft's failure, his wife set out for
the FIRST time IN her life, house hunting
In quiet street in Brooklyn, she secured
the urrer apartments in the house of an
old widow lady, whose family consisted of
an orly dlughter. Early in the following
week they removed, and were soon COM
fortahly settled.
Mr.. Bancroft was happier than he ex-
pected to be. The little parlor with its
cane chairs and pretty carpet, looked so
neat and mfortahle-uever had his wife
looked so beautiful. ALFRED in simpIe
calico, her cheek flushed, her eve beaminr
with happiness, and singing a song as she
prepared their evening meal. Even Meta
looked more dign6ed as she sat at a small
table writing copies for her scholars for
she had obtained position as teacher in a
school
q never felt such contentment be fore, -
said the father. 4" Really people of fashion
have no idea Of the pleasure they miss"
And, indeed, papa" said Meta, Il
find more enjoyment and instruction in
teaching my little class than during nv
association with people of fashion. The
character of my pupils is an interesting
study no two are alike. begin to think
l have found my vocation"
We are all fitted to excel in some par
ticular avocation," said the mother, Z" and
we should seriously endeavor to know in
what before we enter upon any work. See
my dear girl. the advantage of learning
whatever we undertake perfectly. If YOU
had wasted your time and talents like many
a foolish person, you would not now be SO
independent"
Meta grew up to be true woman and
although she never wore the costly pearls
which she saw at Tiifany's. yet in the cab,
met Of her heart were shribed those rarer
aud richer pearls of Modesty, Intelligence
and Virtue.