The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-02-19

fashion and the seriousness of Intellectual cul-
ture In this society Elsie shone conspicu-
GUS. Her charms grew brighter with each
succeeding year, and were now famous far be-
yond the narrow limits of her native town.
1.-THE beautiful Mrs. Dexter" was among the
attractions of the place, and the one which
strangers were most eager to behold.
"How delighted Elsie was with that set of
cameos!' said her brother Frederick, now
rising man of business, to Clara, during one
of his visits to their early home. ats q
shame they were not diamonds instead!
"Cameos are much more suitable" observ-
ed Clara. Diamonds would be quite
wasted here"
"Of course-HERE. But this isn't the place
for Elsie | never appreciated her till went
from home. 1 knew, to be sure, that she
was great deal pretter than any of the girls
about US, but | never dreamed that she had
not plenty of equals, aud superiors too. in
larger places. New York, for instance, |
supposed was full of beauties. But can
tell you, Clara, women of that sort are rare.
| don't believe there are three such on Man
haitian Island. And then to see her so taken
up with a set of stone canoes! Not but
'here nice thing of the kind They were
chosen by a lady friend of mine who isn't apt
to show bad taste.
II dare say you are right" said Clara
"She is greatly admired and pretier than ever
l think. What then?'
Nothing, except that it is thousand
pities she married as she did.
.'You should not say so, Fred. Roderick
is the kiudest of husbands; he does every
thing he can for Eisie-indulges her far more
than he can Afford
Exactly. That's just the trouble-he can
afford so little. And how old he looks be-
side her."
''He has many cares said Clara, with
sigh
! haven't word against Dexter contin-
ued Fred, magnlnimpusly. "Ie's a fine,
honorable fellow. Bat what did that plain,
grave sort of man want with such a wife?-
Why couldn't he have kept to his studies,
and left Elsie alone? They are utterly un
suited. Some women woald be proud Of his
learning and the name he is getting among
the scientific people; but what does she care
for that?'
VERY little, presume" returned Clara;
"but that is hardly his fault.
II don't say it is any body's fault. 1t is
just one Of those marriages that ought never
to have taken place She was a great deal
too young; she ought to have waited till she
had seen the world-or. rather, till the world
had seen her-aud size might have chosen
whom she would. Elsie was made for for
tune and splendor. she should be in the
midst of them, and dazzling every one that
saw her. And, instead, just look at her.
buried in this little country town. and glad
of one new dress in "a seasou!"
"Ch,ra shook her head. II can't believe
your views correct she answered. 'lIer
husband is a man of principle and talent,
and devoted to her. She ought to be con-
sidered Fortunate | could wish myself that
their means were larger None of the sal
aries are very amnle, though they ure all that
the college can afford to pay, and Elsie does
not understand now to make money go as far
as some women would.
"You see she isn't calculated for that sort
of thing. She ought to have no harder task
in life than to he beautiful. That's the ROLE,
and she can perform it better than any one
else
"I cont agree with you" said Clara oh
durately. There is Il great deal too much
, of that sort Of talk nowadays. 1t may be
very pleasant to have women beautiful, ideal
creatures unsoiled by any taint OF earthly
cares and there are states of society, no
doubt. where it is practicable to keep them
so-where there are great fortunes and skill
+ fel service. But it doesn't consist with the
. genius of our institutions at any rate. The
work is here to be done in every family. and
we had better defy it, as some accuse us OF
doing, than neglect it or turn it off on incap-
able assistants.
Fred thought this was all very well for
Clara, poor dear. The domesticities were in
her line, and it was not wonderful that she
exalted them. She could hardly be expected
: to synpathize with the claims and immuni
ties of beauty, though she had pleasant face
: and IL tidy little figure of her own.
"snd don't" she contiued, earnestly,
"h;nt any thing of the kind to Elsie.
THAT consider her wasted on the desert
air? Perhaps had better not. l believe
that we didn't in the old times think her
, quite blind to her own attractions.
''No one could expect that" returned
, Clara, smiling. ''But she has admiration
, enough aud should be sorry if you said 4
word that could make her discontinued.
Clara was far from cheerful at heart; though
! she would not blame Elsie to their brother,
4 and indeed seldom conGded to any one the
: anxieties which the wayward beauty caused
{ her. To one faithful as she in the perform
ance of every duty it was hard to excuse FL
: sizes shortcomings; yet the affection, almost
e motherly. which she bore the charge so early
Y committed to her made her ready to extenu
! ate whenever that were possible. The young
4 er sister leaned on her for everything. Il
] was Aunt Clara who cared for the children
y in every stage of their de'elopement, who
: huShed their disputes, made their garments
} taught them their letters. 1t was Cara whC
was Indispensable in every household Crisis
: supplemented every deficiency. 1t was NOR
t tilying to her just pride that this should b'
so; that the very peuple who exalted Elsie
beauty could not but know that she was I
careless housekeeper an nattentive mother
She was diappointed, grieved to see tn
o young wife fall so far short of that womanl.
v excellence she had hoped for. Yet all this
n spite of all the added cares it brought her
t self was but little in comparison with Elsie
e great failing. For that, indeed, it was hare
i to exercise her wanted charity When sh,
e suspected that Roderck Was undervalued