Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-06-04
MANNERS.
BY KATE MEn1DEN.
1.-THE best bred person yoa may Geo.
Has studied chthtian charity

'N "S'oo' Li'Ala. saiE Mrs. w OOds
court to her daug:!..t in a decided
~ displeascd tone. "Your visit to
the Eaplcs, evidently has not improv,
ed your manners"
Previous to her mothers rcproor
Emma had slammed the hall-door
with great violence, and desired II
servant to drive away neat-loolling
little girl, with basket, who stood
on the steps, waiting to bo admitted
calling her beggar, and a fright,
though she was remarkably gentle,
and tidy in appearance.
Mrs. Woodcourt, as soon as the
servant opened the door, looking at
Emma, who stood near the window
pouting, said to the little girl in a
soothing tone, "Come in, my dear, 1
hope that you will excuse my daugh-
ter's manners, which am grieved to
say arc sadly defective and improper
While the servant was arranging
the fresh green Watcr:cresscs, which
the littae girl had brought, and Mrs.
Woodcourt was inviting her to par
take Of some cake and fruit that she
had placed before her, Emma stood
considering within herself what her
mother meant by the remarks in res.
pcct to her sadly defective and inn
proper manners.
Her cousin Sabina, who had passed
the last thrco years in boarding
school, had complimcntcd her on what
she was pleased to term her lady-likc
department.; and from the same
Young. lady shc had frequently heard
such expressions rs the common
herd" "the lower class" etc. Her
cousin Angelica also talked fucntly of
cultured minds and polished manners,
and had probably established stan
daEd of her own, in regard to these
points, which both her sister and
cousin werc desirous Of emulating.
Fortunately, however, for En-
ma, her visit at the Naples was
over, and she had returned to the
home and influence & one of tho wi
sest and best Of mothers.
Mrs. Woodcourt WAS gricvcd to per
ceive how many false and frivolous
notions her daughter had acquired,
during, her visit, which with muci,
reluctance she bad consented to her
making, for she was fearful that hel
sister-in-law's teachings and influence
would not be profitable to her giddy
Emma; yet out Of consideration fol-
a dearly loved brother, she consented
and the visit was made.
When tho door had closed on the
little girl, who had left with the assn
rance from Mrs. Woodcourt that she
would call upon her grandmother, F..
most worthy lady, Mrs. Woodcourt
turned to her daughter and said, II an
displeased with your conduct, Emma
and shall leave you to reflect upon i
by yourself, the rest of the day"
Sam lets in every common, ill man
neted thing" replied Emma, in tears
Such as Cousin Angelica would say
beIongto the com mon herd, the low
er class of mankind"
"Hushl hushl Emma" said Mrs
Woodcourt, in; a decided tone. Gle
me ask you, as you have spoken o
i'll manners, what would the Grea
Judge of all, who has positively de
clared that we should not call any
thing common, and who chose Hi
followers from the lowIy, think q
your conahct7 1t would be well fo
your cousin to consider this" Mrl
Woodcourt then arose and left til
room. ,..
The day passed weari,y with En-
ma, who instead Of profting by he
mothers suggestions, spent the tim
in bemoaning her lot, and signing fo
the society Of Naples.
The,pext morning she arose in tn
same5sullen hpmor, and rejecting a
the kind advances of her sister Lucy
passed the time allotted for needft
recreation in listless idleness, until a
length overcome with the wearisome
ness of her own i'll hurnor, she gladl
availed herself of her mothers pei
mission to accompany her on WALL
which Mrs. Woodcourt said she shonl
take in the afternoon.
Emma followed her mother throup
one of the crowded thoroughfares {
the city,, expecting that she woul
soop enter one. Of tho stores, to max
the purchases Of which she had hear
hersspeak; but, after crossing sewers
squares, Mrs. Woodcourt turned int
narrow street and approached tn
entrance of q small but neat-lookin
dwellipg,l sand,gto Enama's sprpris,
the doofWas oPsned ~ the same lii
tie girl whom Sic had So rudely tre,
ted the day before. The,mother, n,
ticing Emma's reluctant look ins;ate