The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-09-03
What Ought to be Done About II?

What Ought to be Done About It?
Bell Ballard and her cousin, May Darrell,
are the occupants of the sitting room i'll
the house of Peyton Darrell the uncle of
Bell. Bell is an orphan and her uncle is
her guardian, and though a number of
years have passed since she was placed in
his charge at the dying request of sister,
he has always acted the part of father to
her, while her aunt, Mrs. Alice Darrell, has
eonscienciously endeavored to fill the place
of mother to her, and has made no differ
ence in the treatment of her daughter and
niece. Though living among the fashiona-
bless of the city of l., Bell and May
were learned in all the lore Of breadmaking
and housekeeping generally, and at the
time this story opens were alternately in
charge of the household arrangements, Mrs.
Darrell being retained by each in turn as
counsel in the knotty problems incident to
housekeeping. Mrs. Darrell, in adopting
this course we are well aware, was very
questionable, but her arguments in favor
of her system were very difficult to contro-
vert. She maintained the position that it
was not derogatory to the position and
character of lady to understand how a
washboard was used, though she might be
capable of understanding and practicing OH
the finger-board of a piano. She thought
it quite as necessary to know how to super
intend the marketing as to understand the
mysteries of shopping-to be able to direct
the servants rs to superintend the dress
maker. In short, she believed that domes-
tic accomplishments were as necessary as
those which fit a lady to shine in the draw
ing room. Her daughters, as she called
them, were bright examples of her teach
ing, and equally calculated to show to adj
vantage in the kitchen, supcrvising-co
and helps, as they were in the social circle
where they were SO cordially welcome.
The cousins were opposite in appearance,
Bell being of medium height, fair complex
ion, eyes blue, with face bespeaking
character and when engaged in converse
ton she was more than beautiful being un-
mistakably intelligent; add to this slight
description that her head was covered with
a wealth of golden hair, that like halo
seemed to float around her shoulders.
Mays eyes were dark, large and full;
with clear, though darker complexion than
her cousin, with more regular features, not
lacking intelligence; her form tall, rounded
and full, and altogether one that would
command attention entering a room and
company.
While we are thus making the acquain-
lance Of the cousins, they have been con-
versing at intervals, and now we will listen
to their conversation. 1t is Bell who is
speaking, and she says:
"Real motives are so often, so generally,
indeed, fear, kept in the background, that
l often tremble for my future, if l should
become victim of the shafts of cupid
Now hear am l, not, perhaps, unattractive,
and reputed wealthy, in my own right,
with plenty of fatterers, and I fear in my
circle of fashionable life but few honest adj
mirers, if any; and the worst of it is the
seeming and the real, if there be any real,
sterling character concealed under all this
conventionality, are so very much alike to
my Impractical eyes that if had any real
preference I would not know what to do"
"Well, Bell, we are in a kind of fix
Society seems to require of us that we
should make our choice from those who
offer themselves, OF be added to the list of
old maids; and do sometimes experience
the feeling that there are some other things
than the Southern States that need recon-
struction.''
"Ah! that question of reconstruction is a
puzzle in social as in other walks of life
Now, suppose the usages of society and
the duties pressing upon the less wealthy,
but sometimes, at least, the most intelli-
gent portion of community, were admitted
to our social circles, without question as to
wealth and family, though our circle would
be enlarged. Motives being much the same
everywhere, how would you and know
that we would not be sought for our money
rather than any accomplishments we might
he possessed of? But May, it will not do
for us to canvass the question too far or
we will be set down as strong minded"
sAnd that would never do, Bell;'
"No; suppose not; but there are times
even amid the whirl of fashionable life,
when reflection comes to my mind, and
though disjointed as things appear, can
not prevent longing desire springing up
in my heart, to escape myself from state
of things that, taking everything into con-
sideratien, seems inevitable in so many
cases. There was Clara Raymond, (you or
might have made the same mistake-a
mistake to which think sudden death at
the altar would be preferable living now
somewhere in poverty, if alive at all, bro
ken in health, her wealth all gone, deserted
by her perjured husband, who squandered
all her property, himself now wreck,
fastening to fill a drunkard's grave. And
there was sprightly little Cora Sangston,
who is grieving herself to death because of
neglect from her lordly-looking, exacting
and selfish, though so extremely polished
husband, who loves his club and boon COM
panions better than his little loving wife,
| think lie would have been the better of
little poverty and hard work, for think he
is, what he is, as much from his fashiona
BILE surroundings in life, as from anything
else.''
eyes; but Bell, you forget; you may
prevent all this in your case by not marry
ing"
"That is true; but don't mind telling
you that do not intend becoming an old
maid if can help it, respectable and useful
as the sisterhood certainly are; and by the
way, l should not wonder if many of them
if they felt called upon to give the why and
wherefore, acknowledge that considerations
somewhat similar to mine, influenced their
decisions where they did decide the ques-
ton, perhaps some ill-natured old bachelor
might add"
"Don't you think, Bell, that we will be
under the somewhat fearful necessity of
allowing destiny to shape our course in the
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