Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-01-28
MRS. DALTON'S STRATEGY.
BY SARAH HART.


the bright spring days were trite too cool to do
without it--but her usually cheerful face wore a
troubled expression, as if her mind was serious
" perplexed And indeed she was troubled,
tor that morning had brought TO her the intelli-
gence that Florence, her eldest daughter, n
bright, beautiful girl of sixteen, was fond of
the company of those whom her mother would
not have chosen as companions for her daughter.
The intelligence had come in a way, too, that was
deeply Notifying Mrs. Dalton was in store
where were several other ladies, when group
of girls passed.
There goes Ida Herring and her crowd
remarked one of the ladies.
What a brazen-faced girl she has become"
remarked the other. II think if | had daghter
l should be careful she did not associate with
girls who are so i'll behaved
But mothers do not always know replied
tue other. Il dare say some Of those girls
mothers do not know any thing about their be-
havior on the street, nor the company they are
in. I often see Florence Dalton with them, and
they say that her mother is, OF tries to be, very
particular with her.
The conversation was continued, but Mrs.
Dalton heard no more. She quietly walked out
of the Store, and turned homeward.
Mrs. Dalton was a wise woman. She knew
her daughters disposition too well to rush to her
with the intelligence she had gained, for she WAS
a headgtrong girl-slow to take advice. and
quick to take offence. She knew that if she as
serted authority, and forbade all intercourse
with these girls, that her daughter might look
upon it as only atagonistic TO her own wishes,
and there might come Oft either open rebellion
or else strict vigilance and clandestine meetings.
No. Florence must be made to see for her
self why l wish her 10 break away from such
associates she said to herself Il know that
underneath all her friviolity and self-will there
is good common sense. / must find some way
to appeal TO that"
For more than an hour she sat there in deep
thought Then suddenly her face frightened,
ms if a happy idea had come to her; but she said
nothing relative to the matter when, in few
moments, her daughter entered the room.
Mrs Dalton was widow in easy circumstan-
ces The care of her two children had been a
pleasant task, and she rather prided herself upon
her and their good name The bare possibility
that anything should sully that had given q
sting to her sensitive spirit How bitter then
must have been the reality.
Have you any engagement for this morning,
Flo-ence?' said Mrs Dalton, few days alter
had occurred.
Nothing, in particular, mother. ! was going
oat, but it makes no difference. Why do you
van. me?'
I was going TO select flowers and ribbon for
Kate's hat, and wanted you to go with me, and
give me the benefit of your taste she said,
Very we'll. I'll be ready soon"
:. was bright, sunny day-just such an one |
as comes after the spring rains have housed us |
I'D for days together-and crowds of people |
gayly dressed were the streets-some for bust |
ness some for pleasure, some for the sake of be-
ing thereto see and be seen. Florence met |
and bowed to several girls and young men who |
we're strangers to her mother; but that lady |
asked not u question concerning them. She was |
patiently waiting for her time TO come.
Let US go in here" said Mrs. Dalton, stop |
ping before a fashionable retreshment saloon.
They tered, and assembled the broad stair |
way 10 the ladies' parlor, and Mrs. Dalton took |
a table near a window, which commanded a full |
view of the street and prouenaders below,
What q delightful place this is !! exclaimed |
Florence Il think never was here before |
1T is very pleasant indeed, said her mother, |
But here comes the waiter with our refresh |
ruents ! think you will find that part Of il as |
delightful as any, and more substantial, after |
our shopping expedition. We have full.view |
of all the passers-by," continued Mrs. Dalton, |
after pause Il always like 10 watch faces and |
forms. Look, Florence, do you see that group |
of idlers iounging around that corner" Flor |
enee looked, and her face flushed for she rec. |
why they lounge tLere2' The bright face grew |
more flushed, but meeting the calm, loving /
gaze fixed upon her, she could not dissenble. SO /
she answered nothing. Let Us watch and see"
said Mrs. Dalton ..t |
Soon there came sauntering along 8 bevy OF /
girls all about the age Of Florence, and most of
them were her scquaintaRees. As they passed |
the corner they appeared not % notice the |
iders there but the most casual observer might ,
seen that nearly al gave s.,rne sign of re- |
cosnii,ior. Qne held ner- faf, In a coquett,sh |
sthef gave her hsDdkerchief u toss
another sent q gay ribbon over her shoulders,
and similar tokens were passed ~ the DINERS F;
10 all of which the young men - answered IN
some manner, and the girls passee' on. Inc
Young idlers looked sfLer them witt Jeerihg
iooksnn WI CUR grimaces, that made n renee
chico crimson wtth Indignation.
''Dh, ulUiheri are young meh 80 !a"kIns III
principle Us that ~ she exclaimed.
Rather ray, my daughter. are young giris - \
lacking in all that makes young wUmanhood I
respected. Those girls challenged those actions
by their own behavior"
4 think IL those young girls could see what /
we have SEEM they would not behave in like |
manner az in, !" seid Florence. warmly.
You saw their actions, Florence; but the |
thoughts of ,eer hearts were even more base
and impure. No young man can maintain his
ii,Stv pf heprt very lUAg by assnCiating with |
ssucb compAniOnf nor Gun young girl long re-
,sin her charm Of maiden modesty by such |
Course. But, come dear, II y"u are rested, we I
win go on
watching the full moon
Coming slsWly
Through the silen, Q esep snd holy
she felt hand upon her shoulder: I
What is il dear 4" she inquired, when she !
saw.t was Florence.
, "Oh. mother ] must tell you y you know
+ have walked down ths avenue with tnOse same |
girls we saw 10 day, and wns TO go again 70 ony
and knew they practsed all those a : 70 alIr",t
attention. On, mother shall die Oh bhane'
and the slight form rhuOk with anguish .,,u
a he mother drew her child to"arh heE Illl lhe
Div head was piliowed on her breast. Dul she |
said nothing She thought " better lhA' tNe
.F,.,, shnuld gDend itself first. 90