Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-09-25

bered. There was no music in it now at
least none for my ears. A certain abrupt
ness in her manners, born Of pride, or suptr-
ciliousness, was to me particularly offensive.
I tried her on various subjects, in order to
bring on. some better aspects in her charac.
ter. The Swedish Nightingale had just been
here and had sung to my heart as no living
man or woman had ever sung-I spoke Of
her. TOO artificial" was the reply, with
an air of critical vanity, that gave to my
feelings ripple of indignation. l referred
to new poem, remarkable for its purity Of
style; she colby remarked with depreciation
on some of its special beauties; merely re-
peating, as l knew, a certain captious review
or. Twas in doubt whether she had read even
a page OF the book. Then spoke of a lady
present. She tossed her head, and archcd
her lip, saying: "she's too fond OF gentle
mems att ntiOns."
| varied still my efforts, but to no good
purpose. The more l conversed with her.
the less beautiful became her face, for the
nnoveliness of her true character was per
petualy cleaning through and spelling the
already sadly msrred features. lett her
side, on the first good opportunity, glad to
get away, Ten years ago, in all companies,
she was the cyncsure Of every eye. The
praise OF her beauty was on every lip. But
SO changed was she now, that none bert to
do her reverence. l noticed her sitting alone,
with discontented look, long after had
left my place at her side. Her husband, by
the attentions he paid her during the even
ing, might have been unconscious Of her
presence.
But there was another lady in the room
who was, all the while, the centre OF an admir-
ing circle. None, perhaps, considered her
face beautiful yet to every one who looked
upon it, came a PERCEPTION of beauty that as
teditself with her individuality. Inrepose,
her features were plain, yet not repulsive in
the slightest particular. But, when thought
and feeling flowed into them, every eye was
charmed. There was namleSs grace in
her manner that gave additional power to the
attractions of her countenance.
was half in doubt. at first, of her identi-
ty, as gazed upon her from distant part
Of the room; she looked, in my eyes, so
really beautiful. But the presence Of my old
friend in the group, my old friend who had
been wise enough to prefer beauty of soul to
beauty Of face assured me, and passing
over added another to the circle which
gathered around her.
There was nothing obtrusive in her con-
versaton; nothing of conscious pride; but
a calm, and, at times, earnest uiterance Of
true sentiments Not once during the even
ing did hear q word from her lips that jarr
ed the better feelings.
1.-THE good are beautifully" Many times
did this sentiment find spontaneous utterance
in my heart as looked upon her and then
turned my eyes tc the discontented face Of
another, who few years before carried off,
in every company the palm ofloveliness
Yes, here was the imperishable beauty
Maiden would you find this beauty 10
matter if your features were not cast in clas-
sic mould, this higher, t'uer beauty may be
yours if you will seek for it in the denial Of
sslfishness, and the repression of discomfort.
1.-THE good are beautiful" Lay that up in
your thoughts. Treasure it as the most sub
lime wisdom.
Gather into the store house of your minds
sentiments Of regard for others and let your
hands engage in gentle charities. To do
good and to communicate forget not. If
tempted to murmur think of your many bles-
sings; if to repne, of the thousands who are
sick and suffering. Be humble, gentle. for
giving, and above all-useful. These are
the graces that shine through the outer Gov
erings of the soul, and reveal themselves in
light and loneliness to all eyes.
The good never grow homely as they grow
DID, The outer eye may become dim, and the
cheek lose its freshness, but in the place of
earthly charms will come spiritual beauty,
unfading as eternity.