Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-06-03

ter, Clarl6el came IN, making tne Iamlly CIT
Gle complete. A fairer circle it would not
have been easy to find, assembled around any
breakfast.table in Carolina, that morning
First, entrenched behind the massive silver
urn, Edmonia, of the serene brow and stately
presence, dark-eyed, silken haired, a gentle
divinity most fitted to preside; more attract
ive perhaps, in her maturity than when, in
earlier days, she might have seemed to lack
the fire and impulse that give charm to
youth, and wrapped the mantle Of her dignity
too carefully about her. At the opposite end
of the table, sat Dorothea, large, lazy and
placid, beauty of the purest Anglo-Saxon
type, with complexion like baby's, in pu-
rity and fairness-though how she kept it so
was marvel, for she never took any trouble
about anything, and went out as often with
OUT bonnet as with one. Dorothea's hands,
feet and eyelashes were perfect; owing to
which circumstances, she had acquired a
habit of sitting with her cheek resting on her
hand, and her eyelids drooped-so that a
French gentleman once remarked, "Mon Dieu,
cette madeu,oisele Dorothfe ne sfmploit gu d
Sc faire admirea" At her right sat Virgilia,
and a more complete contrast than existed
between the two it would be difficult to con-
ceive. Virgilia, who had earned the reputa-
ton of being somewhat of blue, and who
was, in fact, really clever and wel-informed,
was slender brunette, quick and restless in
movement, with aquiline features and watch
full dark eyes. A strong likeness existed be-
tween Edmonia, Jeanette and herself, differ.
ent characteristics, however, predominating
in the physiognonIy of each. Jeanette was
the most attractive, owing to the brilliancy Of
her smile and the varied play of her express
sion, which reflected with charming candor
every emotion of her mind. Mary and Mat.
tie so exactly resembled each other, that it
was infinitely puzzling to stranger, or even
an ordinary acquaintance, to distinguish be.
tween them ; they were neither dark nor fair,
but had clear compilations and pretty, brown
eyes, and generally excited the comment,
"What nice, lady-like, sweet-mannered girls. "
Claribel was the most beautiful of the band,
and gave promise of even increased loveliness
in the future. Dolly's somewhat overblown
charms were reproduced in her with exquisite
delicacy and softness; the dainty coloring,
proflse fair hair and chiselled profile were the
same, but Claribel's eyes we're of the darkest
possible shade of blue, and their glances
fraught with depth of earnestness and sweet
ness that rarely awoke in Dolly's sleepy azure
orbs. In stature, she was Of the medium
height, slightly yet fully formed. Her voice
was like music, and her step as light as the
zephyr that breathes over the surface of the
meadow.
81 am ever so late, 1 am afraid" she said,
as she approached her eldest sister, and be-
slowed the customary kiss upon her forehead.
II don't know how it happened, but I over
slept myself, and it seemed as if 1never would
get through dressing. I always envy Jennie
her quickness, which gives her such an ad-
vantage over me-"
"But then you have the advantage over me
of looking like the pink of propriety when
you have finished" said Jennie "Now, my
poor collar"
"Here is brooch found for you" said
Claribel. 81 will not shock Edna by reveal.
ing whereabouts I discovered it,"
"Under the bed, or in the washstand draw
er, perhaps. Thank you, darling; you are
always the good fairy, coming to nay aid in
distress. AS reward, I present you with the
brownest muffin in the dish; you like them
brown, don't you? What are you frowning
at, Virgilia? Did you want that muffin for
yourself?'
Nonsense" was Virgilia's reply.
81 forgot" said Jennie "you are above
such sordid desires. 1t is food for the mind
not the body, thatyo are always in quest Of
no wonder you scorn the imputation of being
interested in the complexion of muffin"
81 do think you are old enough to leave of
talking so foolishly," said Virgilia, rather
shortly.
81 shall never be old enough to learn wis.
dom, am afraid. But then, one wise woman
in the family is enough-no, two. 1 beg
Edna's pardon for my disrespect. Edna, did
you know that there was an unusual attrac
ton in the neighborhood at PRESENT."
"In what shape2" asked her sister,
"In the shape of disciple of mesmerism
who is to lecture on that science for the bene
fit of us and the other country pumpkins to-
morrow night"
"Mesmerism~ said Dorothea. "Surely
you don't take any interest in that"
"Anything for novelty" said Jeannette.
"I'll let him mesmerize me, if he wants a
subject"
Indeed, J should object to that very strong
ly," said Edna, with decision. "Who is this
man, Jennie, and where is he? 1 have not
heard of him."
"Some adventurer, probably" suggested
Dorothea, "trying to impose on peoples Gre
dulity."
"Nothing of the kind; I forgot to tell you
about him, last evening. Mary Carroll was
my informant he is Mr.. Graves, very
scientific individual, and is staying at the
Curtises, for day or two only. DIR. Curtis
has asked him to give lecture, and is going
to get up an audience for him, and have some
experiments. I should think it would be
great fun. You'll 60, Edna, won't your"
II will think about it, replied Edmonia.
81 do not usually like exhibitions of the sort. "
"I would not take the trouble to co." said
Dorothea.