The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-05-28
VOLUME 3.

pdng at eacn WOr0, a pflih hA~S OO4
cas-, indeed?'' Charles Bradford went on
studying Herbert Spencer-and Berthe
Brewster-and was about as deeply in
terested in the one as in the other.
After all the talk about Mrs. Miles's
love of dress, Mr. Bradford was some
what surprised upon entering her rooms
to see evidences of not only wealth and
elegance, but of a refined and cultivated
taste as well-shewIng love of art in
all its forms
No upholsterer had furnished these
rooms! Rare and beautiful paintings
hung upon the walls, exquisite bronzes,
and little bric-a-brac articles of rertu
were scattered here and theTe-trities
that only refined and cultivated per-
son would select. A library room to one
side showed well-illed shelves of good
works. A Steinway piano. parlor organ
and guitar stood at one end of the long
suite of rooms, and some exquisitely
painted autumn leaves, bouquet of
wax lilies and ferns, and an embroidered
fire-screen, all showed some ones handi-
work at least.
After paying their devoirs 10 the su-
perbly get plainly dressed recipient, each
one found their little circle of friends,
with whom they promenaded or convers-
ed. Charles Bradford, sauntering thro'
the rooms with Miss Fenton on his arm.
suddenly exclaimed: Heavens, what
voice" as the pure tones of rich mezzo
soprano fell on their ears, and walking
toward the music room they discovered
it was Mrs. Miles who was singing an
aria from "Sonnamb bula?" At its close
some one begged for something else,
and each piece was given with faultless
expression and showed rare culture and
ability.
so one fashionable lady can sing as
we'll as 'simper and grgele and wink, "
whispered Charles Bradford to his COM
panion, with a mocking sort of smile
"I wonder If she understands the
meaning of the languages she sings?" re-
turned Miss Fenton, who prided herself
upon her German and French.
az dare say she does; the pronuncia-
ton was correct, / think. All, here is
chair" and Mr.. Bradford suddenly stop
ped short in his promenade, and seated
his companion beside some friends and,
with low bow, left her.
Passing little group of girls near by
he heard one say: "Oh, Mrs. Miles will
show us; she can just do anything, from
trimming hat like French milliner to
trilling like a nightingale. ] never saw
such a woman, and she is always so
ready to help any one, too" And then
some one answered.: Yes, indeed, all
sorts Of ways; she said she hadn't time
to make us anything for the fair, but she
signed check and gave it,"
"A, hap thought Charles Bradford.
"Here is Auntie's superior woman She
helps in her way, but because she does
not sit down with pile of worsted and
n needle, and do the way some narrow
minded people think the only way,
they decide at once it is because she
rocks in an easy chair and hasn't the
brains to do more. How ungenerous 10
think that, because woman dresses ex-
quisitely, she can't do anything else
After all suspect there is an underly-
ing feeling of envy at the bottom of the
criticism"
The next morning at breakfast Mrs.
Brewster asked laughingly, "Well, girls,
and Charles, what is the verdict? Has
one fashionable lady a thought above
her dress buttons?"
The ladies did not appear, either OF
them, eager TO reply, whereupon Mr.
Bradford said
"Allow me to give evidence and sum
up the case. After careful investiga-
ton into the matter, and a thorough ex-
animation of the person concerned, it il
| my opinion that when a lady can sing
divinely in three languages, speak flu
entity in two; reads Taine, Spencer and
Emerson; can trim hat equal to a
French milliner,' and keep up com
plete round of society calls, receptions
and entertainments-itis is my opinion that
such a person cannot fairly come under
the title of a fashionable lady who doel
nothing but rock IN an easy chair anC
wink and giggle and simper.' 1t take
brains and mind become as accomplish
ed as is our fashionable friend, Mrs
Miles; and moreover, / think it alto
gether mistake that society women il
general are supposed to know but httl'
beyond the subjects of some mooteC
point in etiquette or the 'get-up' of ;
costume"
"Well said, Charles" replied Mrs
Brewster; "you have expressed my sen
timents exactly. Mrs. Miles, or any 9th
er lady in her position, has no call to d.
the thousand and one things We woman
differently situated are obliged TO dc
She can afford to dress in silk and satin
and she only helps the shopkeepers ant
dressmakers in so doing; and as 70
brains, as you say, it certainly takes n
small amount to be as accomplished a
are our society women. They only tran
= theirs another way from that in whic
, we do ours. Miss Fenton reads Gree
f and German; Mrs. Miles sings Frenc
. and italian. One is as entertaining g
J. the other. And as for the good she doe
: Mrs. Miles certainly does not make tha
e a topic of conversation ever, althoug
those to whom she has been kind tell {
: it occasionally. Isn't it strange that on
: has to defend ones friends for bein
f rich, beautiful and fashionable?" an
a Mrs. Brewster ended her TRADE quit
+ breathless.
Q Miss Fenson went on with her breal
# fact, vouchsa6ng no remark, save, "Mr
d Miles certainly has the good fortune
O making warm friends"
:, Bertha was silent, although Charl'
J. Bradford anxiously awaited some el
pressed opinion from her lips. He ha
e grown very fond of his little Mayflow,
| l. L. IL r.