The Van Buren press., 1871-10-24
MISCELLANY.
Worth '. Wealth.
T" What an elegan

Hat Nh cieBaut'
This was the inward exclamation 0
Harry Stephens, as gall { dressed youn,
lady passed by his office csNindow, on,
balmy May morning. Very gracefully
was the mantila folded about her pretty
person, and very gracefully and daintil,
her light feet pressed the grsveled side
walk; yet there was an air Of haughtinesl
in the carriage Of he head, and in th'
fash of her cold blue eyes, which wal
not quite so pleasing to the searching
glance of the young lawyer.
He had spoken truly. Helen Fewle
was an elegant girh in face, form ant
mind but, as often Happens, the meagr,
word elegant descrit,i her thoropghlx
Underneath her calm .eaSgancs'sa -
nothing deeper-nothiug to be unfoldes
flower like, by the sunshine OF friendship
or love. Her education was elegant, no
varied, not profounH She could speal
the French language sxcellcntH, sh'
could dance enchantngy, and play
gracefully all the fashionable music o
the lay. In manners she was faultless
in conversation the quickness of her wi
generally concealed the shallowness o
her brain. Her brain pas shallow, anC
her heart, too; yet she was an elegan
girl, and the only daughter of the riches
man in in the Aourishing village of Wes
ton
She had scarcely turned the corner
when another young form appeared, ano
another light footstep sounded beneath
Harry's window. But this figure, though
dressed with neatness and grace, was no
so airly robed as that Of the heiress who
had preceded her. nor did she bear her
self with such an air ofconscious beauty
But just as she passed the window she
looked up, and eyes Of such deep lowell
ness met Harry's earnest gaze, that his
book fell from his. grasp unhceded, and
he watched her retreating fern until she
was out of sight.
"Helen Fowler is certainly an elegan,
girl, " he said as he paced up and down
his office floor; but Agnes Bryan is
more. Helen is rich, proud
and graceful; Agnes is poor in worldly
wealth, simple in manners, yet rich in
graces Of the heart and intellect. Helen
would shine in the loitiest station to
which | could never attain; Agnes would
be household angel to q rich man or a
poor man. At which shring shall l bow
that of wealth or worth =
And leaving him to decide this momen-
tou. question, we will inform Che reader
that Harry Stephens had lately located
himself in Weston and being now estab-
lished in business, and able to have a
home Of his own, be was looking about
him in search of wife. Two only ofths
village girls had yet found favored
place in his thoughts-though, if the
truth were told, great many were ready
to smile upon him The two, Helen
Fowler and Agnes Bryan, he had met
several times at social gatherings Of the
village, and he admired both. He had
called once at the home of each, when he
was charmed by the animation and wit
of the one, and by the unaffected sweet-
ness Of the other Both received him
for in the eyes of both he
had found favor. Though one acknwl-
edged this to herself boldly the other felt
the admiration which she would not con
fess. Helen liked him because he belong
ed 20 an aristocratic family, and possess
ed a polished and pleasing manner
Agnes, in listening to his eloquent and
varied conversation, had discovered that
there was a chord in his soul and in her &
which vibrated to one and the same har-
moHy.
After both graceful forms had disap-
pcared, Harry suddenly remembered that
he was invited to asocial party that even
ing, where he would undoubtedly meet
the two who had lately occupied so large
a space in his thoughts for Helen Fowl
er, being the belle Of the village, was al
ways invited and he knew that Mrs. TEN
pie, who gave the party, was q warm
friend to Agnes.
81 will choose tonight, said he
g whether shall offer my suit at the feet
Of the beautiful heircss, or at the heart Of
the lowly but lovely music teacher. "
At night. if Harry Stephens had beer
gifted with pair Of magic spectaclcs
making brick walls and closed blinds
transparent, he might have seen Heller
Fowler in her dressing room, standing
irresolute amid profusion OF silks
laces, and jewelry. From ono rich robe
she turned to another, saying softly to
herself:
81 wish knew which are his favoritc
colors, thought he looked admiring
ly at this purple satin the other evening
but the pale blue is more becoming.
must look as beautiful as can tonight
for when we were at Mrs. Grey's he &C
tually talked half an hour with that no
body-Agnes Bryan.
And with the same magic glasses Har
ry might have seen Agnes giving the las
music lesson OF the day to stupid pupil
who either could not or would not un
dcrstand the spirit ofa simple waltz
which she was practicing, but persisted
in drumming it forth as if 1t were {
march for the battlefield. But at last thu
tired pupil was dismissed, and Agnes
weary but light hearted, went to prepai'
for the party.
"When you are ready come and reac
to me little, Il" said her invalid mother
al will, " replied Agnes, cheerfully
" you know it never takes mo long tt
dress" .H..a
And in few moments she came down
dressed in a delicate flesh colercd muslin
her dark hair falling in simple ringlets
requiring neither wreath nor gem to ell
hance her quiet levelness. +" ] hope h'