Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-10-03

with rustic and trail befitting her sta
tion. She looked the young ladies ovel
with sweeping glance, and peremptoril,
ordered Miss Clinton TO her room.
Miss Pleasant whispered n word in tina
lady's ear; Miss Clinton was recalled ant
the procession was formed. 1t was vexa
tous that all the gentlemen as these young
ladies passed seemed to look only at tht
calico dress. 1t was so very odd to see {
young lady going to church in print. From
The dress they looked into the face; sucl
u pretty face as it was, too-so bright al
thinking Of the oddily of the attire, ant
wondering who the young lady could be.
|. 1t was not long before Clara became
known rs the young lady in calico. Ole
Mr. Vennet, the wealthiest and most in
fuential gentleman in town, having hat
his attention called TO her by her peculiar
dress made the discovery that her father
had been II dear and intimate friend il
college. He was sef-made himself, and hi
and Judge Clinton had walked hand tC
glove in the thorny ways of poverty.
Mr. Vennet at the first opportunity sen
a carriage to have Miss Clara dine witt
his family. and told her many stories O
which Judge Clinton was the hero, ant
was evidently proud of his pretty daugh
ter.
A(terward he from time to time sen
bouquets from his rare exotics, besides sucl
IN abundance of fruit, taking her to ride
with his family, so that the young ladies
we're almost in state of envy. Finally
AS if to drive the young ladies to dislrac
ton, the Vennets gave n party to which
the wealthicSt and most influential famlie.
in the county alone were invited. Ever
the principal of the institution was over
looked. To this reception Miss Clara wa.
borne in her calico drsss by liveried serv.
ants. Old Mr. Vennct was so proud OF hel
pluck, and so delighted that she did moi
appear in tule and silks, that he devoted
himself to her much of the evening, intro
ducing her to many of his friends witt
many Hattering expressions of admiration
She was finally taken to supper by young
Mr. Vennet, who evidently thought more
of her cheerful conversation than all the
Satins, laces, and diamonds in the drawing
room.
As might be expected, Miss Clinton
from that evening was quite IL belle. Nc
one could slight young lady to whom
the Vennets had been SO attentive. Be
sides there was something quite novel il
having a beautiful young creature from
the country who had II rich father ant
wore the calico because she was not poor
The young ladies petted her because they
had nothing to be jealous of; the old la
dies patronized her as an example for theil
daughters; the young men respected hel
for her pretty ways, independence of char
acter and ready witt and the old men pu
their thumbs in the arms of their vest
and wished there were more like her. In
deed the only trouble was that Judge Clin
tons calico dresses didn't prove his daugh
ter's ruin.
The long school session was to closC
with public examination, on which occa
sion the young ladies were required tt
wear white, satin slshes, and rosettC
upon the left shoulder. The principal haC
m eye to effect, and she would admit moth
ing that disturbed harmony.
Miss Clnton's calico gown was vetoed
at once. 1t might do for Mr.. Vennet'
party, but it would not do for q school ex
animation" So Judge Clinton received
polite note from that formidable lady re
9uesting him in frigid and unmistakabl,
terms ito allow his daughter white null.
If the principal had designed to max,
Judge Clinton the happiest of men, whicl
she didn't, and to render it forever out o
Clans power to wear white null, sh,
could not more effcctually have accom-
plished her purpose than by writing thi
note.
Judge Clinton, Of Clintonvile, declared
that lie was not to be dictated to by an,
woman-not he; and precisely because i
would oblige her to have Clara dressed il
white, it would disobige Linn to do so.
His rather impolite answer was. "II,
sent his daughter to school to study book
not to dress If she wanted his daughte
to wear white she was at liberty to provide
that garment for her. For his part he die
not see what right teachers had TO 10 decid
what color or what goods their pupil
should wear. If she was not willing hi
daughter should appear in prints sh,
should say so and he would at once remove
herr
The principal, as may be supposed, wa
as indignant us principal could well be
But what would the Vennets say, and til,
wealthy people whom they could influence
if Miss Clara Clinton was banished fo
wearing Il dress they had condescended (
honor!
Besides, Miss Clara was the best writer
the best singer, and the dialogue maker o
the whole school. She was necessary t.
the brilliancy of the occasion.
The principal decided to adopt the sug
gestion of the Judge and provide the out
fit at her expense.
But no sooner was this decided on, thar
the Judge wrote letter by express pro
testing that his daughter should not wea
white ut all, and that he was coming il
person to see that she didn't violate hi,
commands.
The result was the Judge carried hi!
point, and Clara was IN odd bird in the
whole flock of pigeons.
Among all the queens of the swiss anC
null, the rustic belle was the observed 0
all observers. She was really the hand
soonest, merriest and most sparkling crea
ture in the whole room.
And what was sadly provoking to The
principal there sat Judge Clinton by the
side of old Mr.. Vennet, clad in his suit o
homespun, avaiing himself If every op
portunily 10 tell the whole story connected
with the calico garment and turning the
confused teacher to ridicule.
At last it came to the distribution o
prizes, and that for exemplary conduc
and correct recitation was awarded to Mis-
Clara Clinton.
If Judge Clinton did not make speecl
on that occasion it was because Mr.. Ven
net did. AS the address was reported a
the time of its delivery we will not repor
it here, but simply report that part whct
relates to our heroine.
II am happy said Mr.. Vennet, a. tina
the prize has fallen to the daughter of my
friend, Judge Clinton, of Clintonville
She is IL worthy daughter of worthy sire
She may well be proud to have received
this token of her teachers appreciation
for she has won it under peculiar circum
stances. Young ladies, do not forge
though you are beautiful when adorne,
you are more attractive, more intellectual
more self-reliant while you remain satisfie,
with what Providence has placed at you
disposal.
----- t--a--$ --------
Rev A. S. Fiske, in his report on " Tn
Relations of Education to Crime in Ne,
England " summarized these five signif