The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-10-29

richest Of them Ia all their silks and
| fnery."
Nothing moro was said. The two
girls went down to the assembly room
when the bell rang. and found the
people standing Ia groups, waiting the
! appearance Of the assistant teacher TO
lead them, to chuch.
"Look will your" whispered Miss
Gay to the miss next to her, IT that
girl isn't going to church in that old
calico"
Miss Pleasant frownsd, but Clara
smiled. She had conquered her pride
that morning on her knees; she had
resolved not to be made unhappy by
what she could not help.
The assistant entered the same room
with a rustic and trail betting her
station. She locked 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 re-
called, and the professions fell into
line. 1t was very Yexatious that all
the gentlemen these young ladies
passed seemed to look only at the cal
young lady going to church Ia print
From the dress they looked into the
face; such a 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
- -
town. having had his attention direct
ed to her peculiar 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 IN
the thorny ways of poverty.
Mr.. Vennet, at the first opportu-
nifty, sent carriage to bring Miss
Clinton to dine with his family, and
told her many stories Of which Judge
Clinton was the hero, and was evil
IDENTIFY very preua COf his pretty
daughter. ~. r-i .rtr -sss
Afterward. he from time to time
sent bouquets from his rare exotics,
and such abundance OF fruits, besides
taking her to ride occasionally with
his family, that the young ladies in
the Institute were almost in a state of
envy. Finally, as if to drive the
young ladies to distraction, the Vennets
gave a party, to which the most infu-
entail and Wealthiest families in the
country were alone invited. Even
the Principal of the Institute was
overlooked. I'D
To this reception Miss Clara vas
borne In her calico dress BY Eyeried
servants. Old Dir. BiDgaEd 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, and Introduced
her to his friends with many hatter-
ing expressions of admiration. She
was finally taken to supper by young
Mr.. VenRet, who evidently thought
more OF cheerful, pleasant conversa-
ton than all the satins. laces, pearls
and diamonds In the drawing room.
As might be expected, Miss Gin
ton, from that evening, was quite a
belle. No one could slight a young
lady to whom the Xennets had
been so attentiEe. Besides, there
was something quite novel in hav-
ing a beautiful young creature
from the eUuutry, and who had a
rich father, and wore calico
because she was not poor. The young
ladies petted her because they had |
nothing to be jealous off; the old la
dies spatroRized her as an example for |
their daughters; the young men re-
spected her for her pretty ways, indie |
pendence of character, and her ready /
wit; and 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 daugh-
ter's ruin.
The long school session was to close
with a pHblic examination, upon
which occasion all the young ladies !
were required to wear white, with |
satin sashes, and Rosette upon the |
left shoulder. The Principal had an
eye to effect, and she would admit |
nothing that disturbed harmony.
Miss Clinton's calico gown was
vetoed at once. 1t would be very
well, perhaps, for Mr.. Vennet's party, |
bat it was not proper for an examine
~tion =" So Judge Clinton received
very polite note from that formidable
LADY, requesting him in frigid and I'M
mistakable terms to allow his daugh-
ter white null" lval1-.f roH
If the Principal had designed to
make Judge Clinton the happiest of
men, which she didn't, and to render
il forever out of Miss Clara's power to
wear null, she could not more effect |
ually have accomplished her purpose
than IN writing him this note.
Judge Clinton, of OliutonYille, de- |
clared that he was Rot2to be dictated |
to by any woman, not he; and pre-
cisely because it would oblige her to |
have Clara dressed in white, it would |
disoblige him to do so. His rather |
impolite reply was He sent his |
daughter to school to study books, |
not dress. IF she wanted his daugh-
ter to wear white, she was ct 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
liberty to say so, and he would re-
move her at once from the school, ri |
AHe E!nclpal, as may De supposed.
was as indignant as a Principal could |
we'll be. But what would the Ven
nets say, and the wealthy persons
whom they would influence, if Miss
Clara was banished for wearing a |
dress they had condescended to
honor?
Besides, Clara was the best writer. |
the best singer, the best dialogue |
maker Of the whole school. She was
necessary tc the brilliancy of the an
niversary. as3ms
The Principal decided to adopt the