Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-11
BARBARA'S FOLLY,
TFrom AppIeton's JournaII

sIeveri We thought her indeed almost a ge-
Mus, thoagh il must be admitted that We were
rather late making the discovery. As child,
rhe was exceedingly homely. and shy and
awkward that we thought her dull. Her mother,
Threevits of Quemper Hill, who had been a
sigh, that she was ashamed of her offspring, she
vas 20 far inferiur 10 her cousins, the Threevits
and the Barriers, ..seven in number, and every
ere Of them beauties, my dear"
Still, we Threevits had no idea Of regulating
Barbara; our family pride was too strong for
that; but We really did not know what to do
With her. Her father, John Featheredge, Esq,
CT Chippenshaw, was dead .Gend she had neither
brothers nor sisters, 30 we Father looked upon
barbara as belonging to the family in general,
being, like some other Threevits, more beautiful
than wise. We did our best by Amelia's I'M
promising daughter, more through q fear that
family, han through any great aecton for the
child; but then she was unquestionably very IN
prepossessing, and very discouraging. The more
awkward she grew; and we were forced to con-
sole ourselves with the reelection that We could
not expect the perfection of Threevit from 50
complete Featheredge.
At last, when Barbara was thirteen, Miss
Margaret Featheredge, her fathers aunt, sent
for her. We were almost afraid To let her go.
She had expectations from this relative, and we
dreaded that she might make an unfavorabe
impression However, we, the mother, aunts,
Encles, and cousins, after an ANXIOUS debate, de-
clded to hand our black sheep over to her aunt
thing We could have done. Miss Featheredge
Immediately adopted Barbara, and We saw the
child no more until she nineteen, when, her
gTeat-annt being dead. she returned to us.
We found her q new creature i'm every re-
spect; not handsome, indeed, according to the
Threevit estimate, but quite presentable. She
was no longer shy and awkward, and she proved
perfect treasure To us, whom the cares of
fashionable life did not permit to be thorough i'm
literary attachments In matters of dress, etc,
we were sufficient to ourselves but on all other
topics Barbara became our authority. and great
Vas the comfort We took in her extensive and
varied information.
lara was an accomplished and brilliant woman.
We began 10 ignore the fact that she was a
Fcathtredge- We called her Threevit; but she
was the only Threevit that had ever spoken four
some of US could not speak one, perfectly; she
was the only Threeyit that had ever learned to
sketch from Nature; the only Threevit that had
,en's compositions; and, though we were
all great takers, old Judge Gregory had been
heard TO declare that she was the only Threevit
worth listening In.
We became very proud Of our Barbara, and
we made no secret of IT. Our seven beautie 8,
aware that the dear girl had prominent eyes. a
lrrge nose, a sallow complexion, and a figure ir
remediahly thin. forgave those acquired advan-
tages which. after all. rendered her rather for
nidable than attractive TO the young beaux.
But Barbara was not dependent upon the young
beaux for attention. People of distinction
sought her acquaintance, anil, as men of ack-
nOwledged ability sometimes quoted her Opin-
ions, We began 10 suspect that she must be a ge-
nius. We had never had genius IN the family
before, and We were, therefore, q little timid at
first about declaring our belief that Barbara was
one. but We asserted the fact boldly as soon as
We found Others ready to agree with US.
Having established her reputation by our tact
We had right To expect that our young relative
would distinguish us before the world by the
exercise of her talents. But month after month
elapsed, and Barbara discovered no intention of
shining on "Fame's eternal bead-roll-" Be
POWERS, abe accomplished nothing but little
sketching, little practising on the piano, and a
vast amount Of reading. We grew inpatient,
were forced to the reluctant admission that this
brilliant girl Of ours had ne ambition. Never
theless, We had her interests too sincerely at
Of proper self-appreciation. We were ever on
the alert for a career in which she could display
her gifts 10 advantage, and, when the rheuna-
iism compelled job Horrowell TO resign the post
or organist at ST stephens, We persuaded Bar
baIa to take his place.
The choir was in a very demoralized con-
dition, 10 say the least; but Barbara wrought a
wonderful Improvement in less than a month. 1t
was entirely her own work too, for the Elmer
girls withdrew in undignified haste when they
learned the new appointment Barbara de-
IloTed their loss. but for once we Threevits en-
tirelv approved the course OF the Misses Elmer.
They were the daughters of Rufus Elmer, the
owner of the iron-mill. between whom and the
Threevits a bitter fcud had long existed, con-
corning the title to piece of ground called the
Grange eorner-lot. The Elmers and Threeyits
did not speak. and under the circumstances So-
phia and Charlotte did well to leave the choir.
IL would have been gross presumption in them
TO atte mpt to vie with our Barbara
ST. stephens soon became widely noted for
us music The church was crowded every Sun
day, and We Threevits felt our importance when
strangers turned deliberately to stare at our st.
Cecilia although we knew that such conduct
showed very bad taste, and We never did such a
thing ourselves.
And yet-after most triumphant career OF
SIX months duration-incredible as it NAV
seem. Barbara suddenly retired from the choir,
tTeSS, but there was opportunity TO remon-
sirate, for the deed was done before we knew
S Gi t Mas cont mPiated. SO we rssed the Old
Barbaras life burden TO her for many DAYS;
but at last Uncle Joseph, the old bachelor, came
.. Do YOU not understand" said he, ssthat no
genius ever hal common sense?''
This reminder consoled us. We reflected that
POSSIBLY our gifted Barbara might be the hest
.jadge OF her true vocation. and that it would he
the part OF wisdom TO leave her to the intuitions
Of genius.
Soon we found that there were other WAYS in
Which she could win distinction. The Indus
trial Association OF our town offered gold medal
Tor the best original oil painting 10 be executed
10y resident OF the county. No persuasion was
needed 70 induce Barbara to contend for this
prlze She chose for her subject Red Riding
ho1d resting by spring, and went TO work with
snrh n eigel , that we were sure the restless
Her success was certain DrusiIla and j Judith
agreed that they had never seen the true Red
Riding Hood scarlet perfectly reproduced a
in Barlbara's picture. And Vet the unaccouuta-
ble girl abandoned her work before it was hal,
finished! In vain we demonstrated; Barbara
was memorable She turned her canvas to the
wall, and the prize was awarded TO Lawrence
llackott. a self taught youth, who sent . thinS
he called .. The Miller OF Dec"
We now became disheartened about Barbara
vas not possible to doubt her ability Il
achieve gTeatness-ve had every day such proc
of the proligality of her talents; but We begaI
10 realize the truth Of Uncle Joseph's insinua
ton that there was n screw loose in the Feather
edge family. and. though we claimed Barbars
Tor Threevit. there was no denying that she
was remarkable likeness of John Featheredge
OF Chippenshaw.
When the people OF ouemper Hill and Low
ther avenue proposed a Dramatic Club FOL
charitable purposes. We scarcely dared 10 hOps
that Barbara would join the enterprise; but shs
siid. The zts t with which she entered into tbs
IeTtormaDces almost made mends TO US for the
disappointment about the picture Her dra
matte talent ELECTED the warlnest encomium,
IRON competent judges. The intensity of feel
ing she could throw into character was per
feetiy thrilling. At that time we might ever
have consented for Barbara 70 90 on the stage
80 assured did we feel that she would prove