The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-02-08

tu ner 10 become ner room mate.
The school term soon commenced, ant
there was little time for Clara to think o
her homely garments. But when Sunday
came round, and she took another calico
dress from her wardrobe, exactly like tb,
one she had worn all the week. her room
mate said:
"Miss Clinton, beg your pardon, bu
wouldn't something else do better to-day
The young ladies usually dress good dea
here especially the first Sabbath of ap
rearing, and am afraid you will not find
it pleasant to be so plainly attired."
Clara blushed, but she was brave
hearted girl, and had the good sense to
know that deception could avail nothing
So she said frankly:
"The truth is, have but three dresses
in the world, and those are exactly
alike !"
Miss Pleasant looked at her a moment,
as if she thought she must be quizzing ;
but, perceiving the bushes and confusion
Of her roommate, burst out laughing.
"Why, Clara 1t is so comical You
must excuse me, dear, if do laugh lit
tie. How docs it happen that you dress
so plainly?"
"Well, my father is very odd in some
things, and it is his will we shall all dress
in prints
Miss Pleasant went to the closet, and
shaking out plain but very prcscntablo
black silk, said:
Please wear this, dear Clara. Don't
think but shall love you as well in cali
co, but many Of the girls won't and you
are so sensitive you will be wounded. |
can well do without the dress the whole
term, and no one will know but it is
yours.
Clara hcsitated. She had always de-
sired silk dress. She had been thinking
all the morning Of the ridiculc of her
schoolmatcs. Should she accept this of.
tcrcd kindness, or would it be better to
wear her own clothes, and appear as She
really was?
She did not hesitate long but putting
her arms about Miss Pleasants neck,
kissed her with trembling lips than said
IN quiet, firm way
Thank you, thank you Thousand
times. 1t does not seem best. My father
would not approve it, nor do |. fyou
love me, that is enough.
Miss Pleasant patted Clnra'> cheek
gently murnurlng
lou are right, Clara and you are
handsomcr in your calico than the rich
est of them in all their silks and finery -
Nothing more was said. The two girls
went down to the assembly room when
the bell rang, and found the people stand
ing in groups, waiting the appearance of
the teacher to lead them TO church
Look will you - said Miss Gay,to
the Miss next to her, "lf that girl isn't
going to church in that old calico, !"
Miss Pleasant irowned, 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 betitting her sta
ton. She looked the young ladies over
with sweeping glance, and perempto-
rily ordered Miss Clara Clinton to her
room.
Miss Pleasant whispered a word in that
lady'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 ii 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 wealthest and most in.
huential gentleman of the town, having
had his attention directed to her peculiar
dress, discovered that her father had been
a dear and intimate friend in college. lie
was seli-made, and he and Judge Clinton
had walked hand in glove in the thorny
days of poverty.
Mr.. Vennet, at the first opportunity
sent n carriage to bring Miss Clinton to
dine with his family, and told her many
stories Of which Judge Clinton was the
hero and was evidently very proud of his
pretty daughter.
Aticrward he from time to time sent
boqucts from his rare exotics, and such
abundance of fruit, besides taking her tc
ride occasionally with his family, that the
young ladies in the Institute were almost
in a state Of envy Finally, as ifto dry,
the young ladies to distraction the Ven.
nets gave party, to which the most in
ilucntia and wealthiest families in The
country were alone invited. Even ih,
Principal Of the Institute was overlooked
70 this reception Miss Clara was borne
in her calico dress by livcried servants
Old MIR. Lingard was so proud of hcl
pluck and so delighted that she did moi
appear in tulle and silks, that he devoted
himsefto her most of the evening, and
introduced her to his friends with man,
, Hattering expressions of admiration. She
was finally taken to supper by young Mr.
, Vennet, who evidently thought more oi
cheerful, pleasant conversation than al
the satins, laces, pearls and diamonds il
the drawing room.
As might be expected, Miss Clinton
l from that evening was quite belle. NJ
one could slight young lady to whom
c the Vcnncts had been so attentive. BE
e sides, there was something quite novel il
e having a beautiful young creature frou
the country, and who had rich lathe
r and wore calico because she was not poor
e The young ladies petted her because the
e had nothing to be jealous of; the old la
d dies patronized her AS an example 70
e their daughters the young men respccte