The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-08-05
WESTMINSTER, Md THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST s. 1862

stories Of which Judge Clinton was the
hero, and was evidently very proud Of
his Iretty daughter
Alterward, he from time 10 time sent
bouquets from his ruro exotics, and such |
abundance Of fruit, besides taking her
to ride occasionally with his family, that
the young ladies oil tae institute were
almost in n state of envy. Finally, as
if to drive the young ladies to distrac.
ton, the Vennets gave party to which
the most influential aud wealthiest fam.
lilies Of the county were invited Even
the principal Of the institute was over.
looked.
To this reception Miss CLARA was
borne 10 her calico dress by liyeried
servants. Old Mr.. Lingard was so
proud Of her pluck, and so delighted
that she did not appear in tslle and
silks, that he devoted himself to her
much Of the evening, introducing her
to his frieDds with many flattcring cx
pressions ofadmiration. She was linally
taken to supper By young MIR. Yennet,
who evidently thought more of cheer.
full, sensible conversation, than Of all
the satins, laces, pearls, and diamonds
in the drawing room.
As might be expected, Miss Clinton
from that evening was quite Eolle.-
No one could slight young lady to
whom the Venuets had been so atten.
tive. Bcsi les, there vas something
quite novel in having beautiful young
creature from the country who had
rich father, and wore calico beeause she
was not poor! The young ladies petted
her because they had nothing to be
jealous of; the old ladies pntronized her
as an example for their daughters; the
young men respected her for her pretty
ways, independence of her character
and ready wit; aud the old men put
their thumbs into the arms of their
vests, aud gravely announced that "she
was quite an original and exemplary
young lady, and they wished there were
more like her." Indeed, the OF "
trouble was that Judge Clintou's calico
dresses didn't prove his daughters ruin.
The long school session was to close
with a public examination, upon which
occasion all the young ladies were re.
quired to wear white, with satin sashes,
and rosette upon the left shoulder
The principal had an object to effect,
aud she would admit nothing that dis.
turbed harmony.
Miss Cliuton's calico gown was vetoed
at once. 1t would do very well, per.
haps, for Mr.. Eennet's party, but it was
not proper for an examination So
Judge Clinton received a very polite
note from that formidable lady, re.
questing him 10 frigid and unmistakable
terms "to allow his daughter white
null"
If the principal designed to make
Judge Clinton the happiest of men,
which she didn't, and to render it for
ever out of Miss Clara power to wear
white null, she could not more effec.
tually have accomplished her purpose
than in writing him this note
Judge Clinton, of Cliutonyille, de.
clared that he was not to be dictated to
by any woman-not he; and precisely
because it would oblige her to have
Clara dressed in white, it would dis.
oblige him to do So His rather impo.
lite reply was 1: "He sent his daughter
to school 20 study books, not dress. If
she wanted his daughter to wear white,
she was at liberty to provide that gar
ment for her. For his part, he did not
know what right teachers had to decide
what color Of goods their pupils should
wear. If she was not willing his daugh-
ter should appear in print, she was at
liberty to say so and he would remove
her at once from the school"
The principal, rs may be supposed,
was as indignant as principal could
well be. But what would the Vennets
say, and the wealthy persons whom they
would influence, if Miss Clara was
banished for wearing dress they had
eondescended to honor2
Besides, Clara was the best writer,
the best singer, the best dialogue. max or
ofthe whole school. She was necessary
to the brilliancy Of the anniversary.
The principal decided to adopt the
Judges suggestion, and provide the
outfit at her own expense. But no
sooner was this decided upon, than the
Judge wrote by express, protesting that
his daughter should net icear rhite at
all, and that he was coming in person
to see that she didn't violate his COM
mand.
The result of it was, the Judge car.
ried his point, and Clara was the odd
bird in the whole flock of white pigeons.
Among all the queens Of the Swiss
aud null. TO rustic belle was the OBJ
served of all observers. She was really
the handsomest, merriest, aud most
sparkling creature in the room.
And What was sadly provoking to the
principal, there sat Judge Clinton, in
his suit of homespuu, by the side of
old Mr.. Vcnnet, upon the platform,
availing himself of every opportunity to
tell the whole story connected with the
calico garment, and turning the con.
fused teacher to ridicnle.
At last it came to the distribution Of
prizes, aud that for exemplary conduct
and correct recitatious was awarded to
Miss Clara Clinton.
If Judge Clinton did not make n
speech on that occasion, it was because
Mr. yennet did. As the address was
fully reported at the time of its delivery,
we will not report it here, but simply