The Van Buren press., 1869-01-12


the sofa in the most faultless attire, seem.
ed absorbed in studying the pattern OF
the print t,e
Miss Gay and Miss june exchanged
chances and smiles. Tears welled up
from Clara's full heart, but she was too
proud to wipe them away; one fell, then
another, TTh c:: :. SO. voice said
You are very tired. am sure so are
we all, but we shall be attended to soon.
Clara looked her thanks to the gentle
speaker girl very plainly dressed, and
of sweet winsome countenance, who,
bringing her chair nearer, asked her some
trivial questions, and related some anus
ing experiences Of her own in reaching
the institution. .
Clara felt more at case, and. being nat
urally yivacious and intelligent soon
made friends with the kind stranger, who
invited her to become her room mate.
The school term soon commenced and
there was little time for Clara to think of
her homely garments. But when Sunday
came round and she took another calico
dress from her wardrobe, exactly like the
one she had worn all the week, her room
mate said: .... ..,.r....
Miss Clinton, beg your pardon, but
wouldn't something else DO better to day Z
The young ladies usually dress q good
deal here, especially the first Sabbath OF
appearing, and am afraid you will not
find it pleasant to be so plainly attired'
Poor Clara blnshed, but she was a
brave hearted girl, and, had the good
sense to know that deception could avail
her nothing. SO she said frankly:
F" The truth is, | have but three dress
es in the world, and those are exactly
alike 20 ry t u1 .-rt
Miss Pleasant looked at her moment
as II che thought she must be quizzing,
but, perceiving the bushes and confusion
of room mate, burst out laughing!
"Why, Clara! IL is SO comical You
must excuse me, dear, if do laugh lit,
tie. How does it happen you dress so
plainly p
Well, my father is very odd In some
things, and il is his will that we shall all
dress in prints Y glr D. d s5rm aa
Miss Pleasant went to the closet, and
shaking out plain, but very presentable
black silk, said r.. tr..la al s5,t .s
Please wear this, dear Clara. Don't
think but shall love you just as well in
calico, but many of the girls won't and
you are so sensitive you will be wound.
cd. can well do without this dress the
whole term, and no one will know but it
is yours. - rH tif e5 4es.sl.4taa
Clara hesitated, She had always desr-
cd a silk dress, She had been thinking
all the morning of the ridicule Of her
schoolmates. Should she accept this Of.
fered kindness? Or would it be better
to wear her own clothes and appear as
she really was
her arms around Miss Peasants neck.
kissed her with trembling lips. then said,
in quiet, firm way; ." ..
Thank you, thank you a thousand
times. 1t does not seem best. Ny father
would not approve it, nor do !. II YOU
love me that is enough et 4s.
Miss Pleasant patted Clara cheek
gently, murmurlng:
You are right, Clara, and YOU are
handsomer in your calico than the rich
est of them in all their silks and fnery.
Nothing more was said. The two girls
went down to the assembl y-room when
the bell rang, and found the people stand
ing in groups, waiting the appearance Of
the assistant teacher to lead them to
church. .. . Ea.4
Look will your whispered Miss
Gay to the miss next to her, I" II that girl
isn't going to church in that old calico"
Miss Pleasant frowncd, but Clara smil-
cd. She had conquered her pride that
morning on her knees, she had resolved
not to be made unhappy by what she
could not help, .a.3 . .r
The assistant entered the same room
with rustic, and trail beftting her sta.
ton. She looked the young ladies' over
with sweeping glance, and peremptorly
ordered Miss Clara Clinton to her room,
Miss Pleasant whispered word in that
laly's ear. Miss Clara was recalled, and
the procession fell into line. 1t was very
vexatious that all the gentlemen these
young ladies passed seemed to look only
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 a pretty face as it was, toe
80 bright, all thinking Of the oddly o.
the attire, and wondering who the young
! lady could be. xxx.
1t was not loag before Clara became
known rs the young lady in calico. Ole
Mr.. Vemet, the wealthiest and most in
hucntial gentleman Of the town, having
had his attention directed to her peculiar
dress, made the discovery that her father
had been a dear and intimate friend il
college He was sclf-madc himself, anc
he and Judge Clinton had walked hanr
to glove in the thorny ways ofpoverty.
Mr. Vcnnctt at the first opportunity
sent carriage, to bring Miss Clara t
dine with his family, and told her man,
stories of which Judge Clinton was Thu
hero, and was evidently very proud Of BIZ
pretty daughter.
] Afterward, he from time to time sen
I bouquets from his rare exotics, and sucl
abundance Of fruit, besides taking her L
ride occasionally with his family, tina
10 4 = 4 =. a