The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-06-17
9nSersalr yateuigtnter,
gYMHdB HANDS,

beauty.
Thus read Kate Palmer, as she sat at
the parlor window on bright winter
morning. Letting fall the magazine In
which She had been reading, she looked
complacently at the delicate, taper fingers
that. lay among the crimson folds Of her
dress. Her other hand, adorned with
snowy cuff and simple bracelet of jet,
crushed the brown curls that fell over her
brow.
It was pretty scene for those who
passed over the frozen street on that clear,
cold morning radiant, lovely picture.
The lace curtains drawn aside, the arm
chair of blue plush, and the graceful form
that filled it, the merino dress looking
warm and heecy in the sunshine, the young
head pensively bowed, the downcast eyes
and delicate profile, the shining curls and
the lovely hand carelcssly pressing them
It looked beautiful, and Kate knew it. So
she sat still, and gazing rehectlyely at the
snowy hand on her knee.
ssOh, dear!' she sighed, 81 wish had a
ing! I'd give all the world for solitaire
like Madge Madsdens! How artfully she
put up her little, fat hand, and pretending
to be biting her fngernails, so that l
might see her diamond! Engaged to be
married the idea She is as plain as a
pipe stem, and not much longer engaged !!
And Iz-well, everybody knows that am
pretty, and where's tie harm of knowing
it myself?-to face the truth, I've never
had an offer! Of fcoursc, Madge is fool.
I wouldn't have Dick Jay if he was hnrg
with Jewels from his nose to his toes-not
I!-But there is one would have, and oh |!
wouldn't have diamonds, too? Well, it
cakes two rings to get married, and l
havn't either of them. To be sure, there S
time enough yet. I'm just eighteen, and
prettier than any girl know, if | do say it.
Shan't feel old when / get to be twenty
though"
Kate was interrupted by the entrance
of her mother, faded woman of fifty,
whose whole appearance indicated life
of labor.
''Kate," said Mrs. Palmer, with some
severity, ''you must do something: I'm
so tired that can hardly stand, and here
you sit, hour after hour, idling away your
time. You must do differently. You
must change your course. cannot do
all the work any longer. The weather is
too cold, and I am not WELL Change
your dress Immediately, and come down
stairs
Her daughter neither moved nor spoke,
and Mrs. Palmer sank dejected:y, into the
nearest.chair. -,
taThere, mother" cried Kate, 'you'll
spoil that plush! The idea of sitting
down in the psrlor with such looking
dress 70
Those words, sthc idca," conveyed
Kate's strongest contempt Mrs. Palmer s
face wore an expression of despair
ssAy daughter" she said quietly, but in
voice that shook with feeling, 81 am
growing old. l have labored hard to-
bring you up according to my theory OF
right. Too late see that was wrong.
I have denied myself q thousand things,
that you might be denied nothing. From
your infancy l have dressed you elegantly,
and always at the expense of my comfort.
Year in, ,.and year out, L have toiled like a
slave, that you.might enjoy the best adj
vantages. What reward have 1? | was
content to live in four pleasant rooms, but
you wanted more style; and since L had
never learned to deny you, l came here
I was content with three-ply carpets, and
furniture Of mahogany and haircloth.-
You must needs have brussels, and plush,
with rosewood and marble. You were
gratifed, but at terrible sacrifice! Then
l never kept q servant; now l certainly
cannot. Yet the work is four times what
it was, and I naturally thought that you
would assist me, but l mistook. You
must be dressed in elegance at times
anything is good enough torme. l cannot
: even 90 to church for want of proper ap-
parel. Your white hands must not be
soiled-look at mine! They are bruised,
and chapped, and swollen; but no matter !!
It is mo one but mother, and she is old :
Yes my child, am old, and scarcely able
to toll on as have done. l cannot long.
fear that you will live to remember this
with many vain regret"
The daughter was silent, and the weary,
disappointed mother rose and left the
room.
81 don't care" said Kate, petulantly, as
soon as the door was closed. sSI can't help
it, if she does work. don't think ought
to spoil my hands,. "A fine hand is one OF
ths-frst points Of beauty So it is, and
as long as can keep mine fine, l shall.
Mothers no inconsiderate! She might
know that I wouldn't be fit for society,
and would never be married in the world
if my hands were dis6gurcd with house
work"
A firm footstep sounded ontbc sidewalk,
and Kate looked eagerly out With a
blush Of pleasure she returned the bow OF
fine looking young man who passed the
house, and then, as if from a sudden i'm
pulse, turned back, ran up the steps, and
rang the bell. Mrs. Palmer, as usual, at
tended the door.