The mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1863-1943, 1865-05-13

uOl - tCNutCitS
edge Of the proprieties and refnements
that belong to cultivated society. Con.
scious Of roughness and idiosyncracy in
my mental constitution, | feared that at
this late day no polishing could smooth
the rough points, and adapt my character
,o-a higher sociT-posittom afr. GrTiHm
was the only person who manifested
particle OF interest or sympathy in the
difficulties attending my changed pros.
poets. The morning he left held long
conference with him, frankly stating the
perplexities that beSet my path.
you perceive what an ornament shall
be to society," I remarked in conclusion.
The world will be literally astonished at
the forthcoming prodigy.
'You are ambitious to shine, Lizzie,
and SO sensitive to the worlds opinion
that you perverse'y undcrrate yourself
Not so, | assure you. have weigh
and mental endowment which may just
ly claim, and discovered my depIorable
want
Not Of mental ability, surely
yes, mental ability of the right stamp.
Society demands intellectual, as well as
personal grace and refinement
If you think society so eXactine, why
not disregard its rcquirments, aud live
within and for YOURSELF
Because am human, and crave the
social sympathies Of my kind
AN Of which are within your reach, II
you will not obstinately thrust yourself
without the pale Of humanity. List to
the, Lizzie, and let the remembrance OF
that pleasant summertime which we
passed together be a warrant Of my
sincerity. cherish brother's,a friends
interest in your welfare give but a
moderate expression to the feelings with
which regard you. Promising thus
much, believe that speak my honest
convictions when award to your charac-
ter freshness, vigor and originality high
lv attractive TO one who has grown weary
Of the vapid sentilnentalism that charac-
terizes too many Of our accomplished
young ladies'
Your opinion Of my character has un-
dergone remarkable change if you speak
as you profess, your honest convictions.
DO you remember that you used to call
me old cross grained, and many other i'll.
naturcd epithcts!'
Thank you, Mr.. Graham. can bear
to have these peculiar characteristics
critically anatomizcd if a friendly hand
performs the operation. But to be dis.
sected, atom by atom, by the keen, un
Sparing edge of ridicule, is less endura-
BILE ordeal. Had my guardians allowed
their ward tithe Of the advantages Law
ishcd on their daughter, her rough hewr
character would present fewer anomalou:
points
The advantages you regret may yet be
acquired, Lizzie
4 am in nOwise sure of that. At the
age Of twenty, habits, both of person and
mind, are confirmed. One lacks the plia.
blity essential to a new and different
, course Of discipline. Yet | mean to make
the most Of the remaining year of my
minority. will see if intense applica.
tion for twelve months to come will rem
edy the evils arising from six years of neg.
lect. If there's will there's a way, |
suppose; if not, III be q Roman and
make it.
Resolved with your usual energy and
forethought. And well resolved, too, if
you do not forget old ties However, Liz.
zie, with this reminder you will remem.
Der me, think. See, little miser, give
you back more than moiety of the
piece, he added, returning n part of the
shilling. which he had nefariously ab.
Stracte1 from my work box the night pre-
viouS.
You know the Specification Of giving
and receiving such tokens, he continued
with look Of arch interrogation.
4 know that this fragment of money is
about two thirds Of my portcr's fee; and
further, | know that you have, with as
tOnishing coolneSs ard impudence, pock.
eted about third Of my earnings, for
which you ought to be indicted
Much the answer expected! But let
me remind you, Lizzie, that sentiment is
a commodity which passes current with
accomplished ladies'. would suggest
that you make sentiment a particular
branch of your education. so that you
will understand inc when fully elucidate
the Specification Of broken coins, as in.
tend to at no distant day
Then let your sentimental calculations
rest for the present. and permit me to re.
mind you that it is considerably past ten
o'clock. Time and tide wait for no man,
neither do coaches, as you last week learn
ud 10 your cost
so Iaten said he, looking at his watch.
Come, Lizzie, walk with me down to
the cross roads.
TO carry your luggage, Sir 2
'Of a verify, no! This time, Tom will
get the porter's shilling. | asked you to
go, solely for the pleasure OF your com.
pany. The day is fine, the path to the
crossroads pleasant, and ii you enjoy a
morning walk, why not show yourself |
inclined, by going along with
me-
assented to his request, from latent
wish to remain with him to the latest |
and also, (shall confess it p |
with a malicious pleasure, in showing my |
newly -hedged independence of the Smith |
family. Indeed was determined that |
their anxious guardianship Of my person |
and property should in future be merely |
nominal.
My year Of study is closed. This very
Jay am twenty.one, and literally my
own and sole mistress. I still sit in the
room with Mr.. and Mrs. Smith and Lizzie,
md find my brain crowded with busy
thoughts. both Of memory and anticipa-
lion. AS just one year ago, Tom brings
in the letters from the mail. and, as then,
here is message from Weld Graham
But the letter is not. as then addressed to
Mr.. Smith: nor can his benevolent wife
Or artist daughter claim it. And they
nor you have any right or title to its con-
tents, and only clause will be transcrib.
ID for your edification. . . /