Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-07-01
WHAT Is THE STANDARD!
BY IsApoRE ROGERS.


II feel that should be neglecting my
duty, Mrs. Harwood, if | did not avail
myself of friends privilege to speak to
Won of some of your peculiarities Now,
don't want to offend you, for | really
like YOU, and nothing but sincere regard
for your highest interests would induce
me to incur the risk of your displeasure,
and you must promise to take what ! am
going TO say in the true spirit of friend
ship"
A smile fitted over the listeners face
like CLEAN of sunshine across beauti-
full landscape. No wonder that Mrs.
Lindsay really liked her, :" for who could
help It? Her features were regular, beau
tiful and intelligent; the predominating
expression was that Of benevolence, but
underlying this was one of steady, self
reliant determination. Not fixed and i'm
movable stubbornness, but a reasonable
adherence TO preconceived opinions and
PRINCIPLES Her countenance was pleas
ant study the kind and noble impulses of
her heart were faithfully reflected from
the clear, deep, hazel eyes, and real, gen
uine goodness gave an irresistible charm
to her being, and glance at her pure,
pepial face made one wonder what the
subject of her companions lecture could
be.
sits our best friends that tell us Of our
faults" she said in reply, land | always
take advice kindly"
"Well, then, tell me what in the world
you meant by inviting that seamstress
into your carriage yesterday and then
driving all around the picnic grounds
among your fashionable acquaintance
apparently just as much at your ease as
though she had been lady of the realm"
why, my dear woman, / went to that
picnic for the purpose of enjoying myself
and of helping others to enjoy themselves,
and invited that girl to a seat in my car
riage because | thought she would be made
happier by it,
But can you afford to sacrifice your.
self for the sake Of bestowing happiness
upon one who is nothing to you, who does
not even belong 10 your social circle:'
"Why, there was no sacrifice about it;
there was room enough for us BOTH
"Oh, my friend, your ideas are so in
tensely Western. Is it possible that you
do not know that you were an object Of
ridcule among some of the most wealthy
and fashionable ladies of our circle.'
Because | stepped beyond the pre-
scribed limits of our social boundary, and
who was not able to have one of her OWN"
Exactly; and although such things
might be well enough in Colorado they
will certainly affect your social standing
il practiced here. Mrs Delaney had not
intended to recognize you at all, but when
she saw Senator Harlan and wife approach
ing you, and appearing so overjoyed to see
you. she said she thought il wouldn't
hard 10 hat wa of
fects of moral suasiOn before giving you
up altogether
In order to understand Mrs. Harwood's
position it will be necessary TO take
glance at her previous history. Very early
in life she had been dependent upon her
own exertions for livelihood. A fair
education was all her father had 10 give
her, and a. soon as her youthful mind
realized the fact that he was toiling for
her support she resolved TO do something
to tighten his burdens, even though it
should be nothing more than maintaining
herself. There is something that every
person can do well, and there must be
something in which | can excel" she
thought; now, of all thinAin the world,
what would rather do? INove to play
ana sing better than anything she, so that
must be the direction in which nh. talent
lies" so, acting upon the idea, sffe fit
TED herself 10 teach music and immediate.
ly entered upon the labors of her chosen
occupation but how often washer sensi.
tive nature shocked and panied and hui.
inflated by the selfish and unfeeling con.
duct OF persons who imagined themselves
her superiors because they ate the bread
OF idleness. But she was scarcely twenty
years OF age when she became acquainted
with Arthur HARDWOOD, an Intelligent,
energetic and enterprising young man,
whom she married, and they emigrated to
the mining districts of Colorado. MIR
HARDWOOD promptly secured claim and,
under his thorough business like manage
ment, the resources of the mine were so
wei developed that, after few years Of
strNt attention to his business, he returned
to the Eastern States to enjoy a princely
fortune.
Mrs. HARDWOOD had always made prac
tice OF devoting her leisure hours to the
Improvement of her mind, but after the
acquisition of their fortune she made men
tai culture her business, and devoted her