The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-11-16
THREE CALICO GOWNS
GConclasi0n.1

lCOHCtu5tOH.
"Look will your whispered Miss
Cav, Ito the miss next to her, "if that
girl isn't going to church in that old
calico"
Miss Pleasant frowned, but Clara
smiled. She had conquered her pride
that morning on her knees; she had re-
solved not to be made unhappy by what
she could not help.
The assistant entered the same room
with rustic and trial BETTING her
station. She looked the young ladies
over with sweeping glance, and per
emptorily ordered Miss Clara Clinton
to her room.
Miss Pleasant whispered word in
that lady's ear; Miss Clara was recalled,
and the procession fell into line. 1t was
very vexstious that all the gentlemen
as these young ladies passed seemed to
look at the calico dress. 1t was so very
odd to see young lady going to church
in print. From the dress they looked
into the face; such pretty face as it
was, too-so bright, all thinking OF the
oddity of the attire, and wondering who
the young lady could be. ..
1t was not long before Clara became
known as the young lady in calico. Old
Mr. Vennet, the wealthiest and most in
fuential gentleman of the town, having
had his attention directed to her pecu-
liar dress, discovered that her father
had been dear and intimate friend in
college. He was self-made himself and
he and Judge Clinton had walked hand
to glove i'll the thorny ways of poverty.
Mr.. Vennet, at the frot oPPor tuuiGy,
sent a carriage to bring Miss Clinton to
dine with his family, and told her many
stories of which Judge Clinton was the
hero, aud was evidently very proud of
his pretty daughter.
Afterward he from time to time sent
bouquets from his rare exotics and such
abundance of fruit, besides taking her
to ride occasionally with his family that
the young ladies in the Institute were
almost in state of envy. Finally, as
if to drive the young ladies to distrac-
ton the Vennets gave party to which
the most influential and wealthiest
families in the country were alone invi-
ted. Even the Principal of the Insti-
tute was overlooked.
To this reception Miss Clara was
borne in her calico dress by liveried SER
wants. Old Mr.. Lingard was so proud
Of her pluck and 50 delighted that she
did not appear in tulle and silks that he
devoted himself to her much of the
evening, land introduced her TO his friends
with many hatteriDg expressions of adj
miration. She was finally taken to sup
per by young Mr.. Yennet, who evident
ly thought more of cheerful, pleasant
conversation than all the satins, laces,
pearls and diamonds in the drawing
room.
As might be expected Miss Clinton,
from that evening, was quite belle.
No OTo could slight young lady TO
whom the Vennets had been so atten-
tive. Besides there was something
quite novel in having beautiful young
creature from The country, and who had
rich father, aud wore calico because
she was not poor. The young ladies
petted her because they had nothing to
DO jealous of; the old ladies, patronise d
her as an example for their daughters;
the youngmen respected her for pretty
ways, independence of character, and
her ready wit; aud the old men put
their thumbs into the arms of their
vests, and gravely announced that "she
was quite an original and exemplary
young lady, and they wished there were
more like her." Indeed, the only trouble
was that Judge Clinton's calico dresses
didn't prove his daughters ruin.
The long school session was TO close
with public examination, upon which
occasion all the young ladies were re-
CURED TO wear white, with satin sashes,
and rosette, upon the left shoulder.
Inc prlnclpel had an eye to effect, and
would admit nothing that disturbed
harmony.
Miss Clinton's calico gown was vetoed
at once. ut would be very we'll, per-
haps, for Mr.. Vennet's party, but il was
not proper for an examinations So
Judge Clinton received very polite
note from that formidable lady, request
ing him in frigid aud unmistakable
terms "to allow his daughter white
null"
If the principal had designed to make
Judge Clinton the happiest of men,
which she didn't, and to render it for
ever out of Miss Clara's power to wear
null, she could not more etfectually
have accomplished her purpose than in
writing him this note.
Judge Clinton, of Clintenville, de-
'H~' ho Nds uOl " uc ulCbdJOu "
by any woman, not he; and precisely
because 1t would oblige her to have
Cara dressed in white, it would dis
oblige him to do 40. His rather impolite
reply was: " He sent mis- daughter to
school TO study books, not dress. If she
wanted his daughter TO wear white, She
was at liberty to provide that garment
for her. For his part, he did not know
what right teachers had to decide what
color or goods their pupils should wear
If she was not willing his daughter
should appear in print, she was at lin.
erty to say so, and he would remove her
at once from the school,"
The Principal, as may be supposed,
was as indignant as Principal could
well be. Bot what would the Vennets
say, and the wealthy persons whom they
would influence, if Miss Clara was
bsnished for wearing q dress they had
condescended to honori
Besides, Clara was the best writer.
the best singer, the best dia,crue,maker
OF the whole school. She was necessary
to the brilliancy of the anniversary.
Inc Principal decided to adopt the
ouuges- suggestion, and provide the
ousht al her own expense. But no
sooher was this decided upon, than the
Judge wfote by express, protesting that