Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-01-18
Nice Girls.

There is class of women, and class not
defined by the vague boundary lines which
are supposed to limit or separate the grades
of station or society, for which the world
at large confesses an instructive and especial
fondness We mean the bright and shining
order of feminine nobility, whose individual
ornaments are designated in general as mice
girls" There is a peculiar charm about
the nice girl not always to be analyzed,
which appeals in mysterious and indefin-
able manner to our unconscious admiration
and sympathies. II is not that she is beau
tiful, for the nice girl is often far from facial
perfection. Yet the face is always pleasant
face, such as one loves TO meet at intervals
in the shadowy paths of daily life. 1t has
CHEEKY and hopeful smile upon it which
seldom fails TO kindle' responsive light in
the eyes of the beholder. She is always
good tempered and patient. The children
draw toward her instinctively, AMI love her
with all the spontaneous ardor of chiidlike
devotion. Though not always blessed with
the boon beauty, she possesses an innate
quality of neatness which covers up all facial
deficiencies. The nice girl never has shoe
uniacea III ribbon out of place. Her
gloves are marvels, her bows are miracles.
her dress, from top to toe, is the perfection
of neatuess, and her room model of order.
She never comes to the table with her hai1
in papers or her new apron soiled. AS she
rises in the morning, rosy, fresh, hopeful,
and happy, so she goes through life, diff
fusing subtle ray of light and cheerfulnesS
on all around her.
The nice girl is not blue stocking
though she possesses moderate store d
the worlds knowledge, which. she use:
modestly and unostentatiously. She ha:
the Arabian Night" in her library fol
children's sake, knows the outlines il
general of the worlds history, cons the
more modern poets occasionally, and read.
the papers from day to day. She has {
passable stock of information upon variety
of subjects, which she Is not wont to dis
| play except as an occasion serves. She i:
intelligent and observant.
She has an eye for the fitness Of things
Art is an instinct with her. She selects
ribbon for her hair, and it is always be
coming color She knows it will be so bu
| she cannot tell the reason why. So in tht
arrangement of flowers upon the mantel, o.
the furniture in dingy room-she bring
order out of chaos, and beauty out of nothing
In all things her taste is true and unerriug
Herlittle accomplishments assert themselve
modestly, and give evidence of their exist
ence timorously in corners. Here is ;
basket of wax flowers. well, but not wonder
fully executed. They are not much, bu
the room looks better for their presence
and you would miss something if they were
taken away. There is a crayon which sh,
has executed. Had it been hung in the
parlor its effects would have been spoiled D!
the oil paintings beside it. Did she know
that, though perhaps not thinking of it a
all? Her first impulse was to hang it il
the dining room, between two gray engrav
ings, and 1t is the best place in all the hous,
which could be found for it.
The nice girl is something of musicia,
too-not equal to the execution of Thalberg
most difficult compositions, perhaps, no
able to interpret the mysterious meaning o
Beethoven g. grandest works, but swee
! player upon the piano, and with delicately
sympathetic touch. money Musk" o
Hull's Victory are not too humble for he
powers, when old-fashioned people call upoI
her for an old fashioned tune. But sh,
can do better than that when occasion re
| quires. You love to cast yourself upon th'
sofa and to lie there in the dusky, mellow
freight after tea, while she sings to you
| In some way that soft sweet voice thrill
you as did never the singing of a Kellog!
or Parepa And when you come home a
night you love to stop in the dark hallwa.
with your hand upon the lock, to listen t
that same low voice thrilling some simpl
ballad in the room above, while the baby i
rocked to sleep.
Thank Heaven that the nice girl is not tn
| especial possession of any distinct class o
society! She is still to be recognized il
| the frescoed drawing room as well as in th
farmers kitchen. Luxury does not spoi
her, nor poverty destroy her worth. How
ever high or low her home, that home i
happy in her possession. 1t contains {
treasure not to be valued in worldly things
As a counselor in time of trouble, at tn
sick bed, in the house of mourning-abov
all, in the holy relation of wife-the nic
girl is a pearl beyond all earthly price
There needs no word of praise to max
known her value, for such woman tn
noblest tribute that can be given is to say
''She is nice girl.
! Certain ladies of New England have beel
| informed that the hest WAY to contribute I.