Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-11-02
The gtury Te1ler.
MABEL'S AMBITION.
BY "ALETHEA."

.It is really too provoking" petulantly ex-
claimed Mabel Thornton, replacing letter
in its envelope. and heaying deep sigh as she
did so. :. sl@.35. !,
"What is too provoking ?" asked her moth.
ar, looking up from her sewing into the dis
satisfied face of her daughter. ,s. y,
"Why that we are not in circumstances to
warrant my accepting Katie Lees invitation
to spend few weeks with her at her home
in New York. In this letter she says they
are going to have splendid times and she
knows / would enjoy myself: But it is use.
less TO talk about it, for can't 60. | should
need so many new dresses and other things"
81 do not see that you will, daughter
You have Just had some pretty ones made,
both for street and house while the tarleton
Won purchased for Sarah Mumford's wedding
has has never been worn but once, besides which,
YOU have pretty white Swiss both Of them
will be suitable for evening parties.
"What are you thinking of mother J! and
Mabel Thornton accompanied her words with
derisive laugh. "Why the Lees are veal
thy and live in style, Katie gives receptions
twice month. besides going out to all the
most fashionable places of amusement when
ever it suits her. No, no, mother, my clothes
are sufficiently numerous and pretty for
country village such as this, but for visit to
. New York City-pas du tout. Miss Lee would
be ashamed to introduce me to her friends,
TEAR, after knowing the extent and value OF
nv wardrobe I doubt if Katie would have
invited me at all, had not led her to suppose
we were better of than we really are. You
see. mother, that being at the same boarding
school for two years together, we grew to
like one another very much, and was so
fearful that would lessen myself in her
estimation, should she suspect that | was less
rich than she supposed that I made it aP.
pear that / was better of, as ! said before"
"And sonny daughter" replied her mother,
quietly. isyou allowed your vanity to lead
YOU into sin. For you certainly led Miss
Lee to suppose differently frem the truth,
and was obliged to continue in the deceptive
character, to the end, in order that she
might not know that your father was coun.
try merchant in 9 small way. If Miss Lee
is one who values q person only for their
money, the sooner you drop the acquaintance
the better, for she cannot be sincere nor last
ing in her friendships" -, :. .,
20, I do not say that Katieis of that char
acter, but youlknow it would not be pleasant
for me to be seen continually, or nearly 50, IN
two or three different dresses, only, during my
visit, which she says must be for month at
least, andsas much longer as 6nd it agrees-
Bile to stay. Oh! if was only rich, I'd be
the happiest girl alivep
"You may live to learn, that money does
not always bring happiness, Mabel, and IN
stead Of aspiring after the unattainable, it
would be much more christianlike if you
would show gratitude for blessings you do
enjoy. You have comfortable home, and
enough to afford you reasonable share OF
amusement. Remember, my child, that Con.
tentment Is better than Wealth"
.Well, mother, you who have had your
good times, can preach and practice too; ;
but I must say money would be the thing
TO make me more contented, and l know,
said the young girl, looking at her delicately
shaped hand, "that wealth would become
me-" .-.
Mrs. Thornton made no answer to these re-
marks, and as her husband now entered the
room, she commenced laying the cloth for
supper. .,,, o,,,,
call a splendid looking girl. Tall. with a
form that the most carping could find no fault
with, face that was very attractive, bright
dark eyes, and an exquisite little mouth,
around which she could cause to linger the
most fascinating smile when she chose She
knew that she was handsome, and as she re-
marked to her mother, wealth would become
her." Her small, pretty hand looked lifted
only for fancy work, and her tiny foot wore
with ease, number one slipper. Yes, Ma.
bel Thornton was handsome, butsel hsh and
ambitious. .....a. .s.y...
:. After, the tea things had been removed,
the young girl told her father of the invita-
ton she had received, and of her regret IN
not being able to accept it. s.r. l.,
"Not accept it indeed you shall, ," answered
Mr.. Thornton, looking at his daughter with a
face aglow with pride and fondness. "You
are wasting your beauty on the desert air,
remaining go long secluded in your native vii
lage. I have long wanted you to see some.
thing Of city life, but did not know when l
ever would be able to take you. Now It you
had been a boy, you could have started OF on
. YOUR own hook sometime ago. If you fear
the expense will be more than can afford to
incur, do not let that thought trouble you one
bit, for" said be, laughing happy laugh as
he took a well filled wallet from inside his
coat, II am eig hundred dollars richer to-
night than / ever expected to be; and on top
of that a bank in which own stock has de-
oIared very good dividend"
All the while her father had been speak
ing MabeIs eyes were glistening with pleas
ure as she asked: g,r: -.r ~. .u...-.
sand how is it, papa, that you are eight
hundred dollars better of tonight than you
we're this morning ?" . - a-... -.
"About a year ago." replied Mr.. Thornton,
turning to his wife who was silently. awaiting
the answer, "Ned Wilton borrowed thou
sand dollars of me to give himselfa start out
West. To tell the truth, never thought he
would succeed in the line Of business ne un-
dertook, and felt almost certain that my mon.
ey was as good as gone; but it proved other
wise, for this. morning he called at the store
and paid me eight hundred down, and prom
ises the rest in three months time. SO my
daughter you may get what you need tor
this visit, and tell your friend when to expect
you. That is if your mother consents"
Mrs. Thornton expressed her willingness,
and so in little over weeks time, with the
assistance Of her mother and q fashionable
dressmaker of the village. Mabel was got in
readiness to start for New York. Her fathers
remark as she left the house, that 'Mabel
could equal any city girl for style" was true,
for her travelling suit of gray alpaca, with hat
and gloves to match, was very becoming, and
f;ttad her To nerfection besides as the village