The true northerner., 1877-08-17
Miss Charity's Lady.


"Is it severe to be sincere, Matilda |?
How do you feel about it? Because, if
YOU like. I shall have to begin to fiatter
you to the blush. could do it, you
know"
cit is SO hard to be impolitely sincere
to lady,"
Lady humph - and Miss Charity
was dumb over the teaspoons she was
counting.
Don't you call Mrs. Livine a lady ?"
GAS you are one by bringing up, and
won't repeat what's said to you, frankly,
L don't find her one. She is q woman
girls like, because she is fond of petting
everybody, and talks very sweetly about
very fine things, and she dresses correct
ly; but her enthusiasm don't sound real.
A lady may wear imitation lace for con-
venience, but she never airs imitation
sentiment.
81 wish could know what you con-
slider a lady"
CT might begin by telling you what
she isn't. and what she doesn't do. She
don't walk without knocking into the
house of a woman she has only seen once
at her own house, even if they have met
at parties. She won't call any one by
Christian name until she is asked to take
the privilege. And she won't make adj
vances where it is her place to wait. You
modern girls have such notions OF free
dom that YOU are only content with up
setting things, and taking liberties, and
you don't all outgrow it as women.
have heard boarding school girls chaff a
college president, and quiz noted but
nervous foreign musician, and say pert
things to great Senator, imagining they
did themselves credit, and repeat their
sauciness afterward with pride.
Professor, one of them said, with a
fiippant air, for which her mother ought
to have taken her home at once, isn't ii
tiresome to know as much as you do, and
always have to carry it about with you /?
GO He was getting borous about his
everlasting rocks, she explained, in tell
ingthe story, 'and I gave him notice tc
quit. as none of the rest dared TO-.
'''I made him blush, another boast
ed, after a pert repartee to lawyer oi
twice her years.
"'Was he blushing at you or fol
vou?' one of the others had the sense tx
retort.
"Don't you hear of this sort of gir
everywhere? There are plenty will
brains and fair education, learned il
their neighbors' conceit, who know moth
ing themselves, perhaps with talent fo
art. but without tithe of good breeding
who carry their offensive, stupid smart
ness wherever they go. They will invit
q Grand Duke to skate with them, writ
TO Bismarck for his autograph, say sauc,
things to a President, who usually trie
to smile as if he liked it, answer back
the Holy Father himself when they get
presentation, and write letters to til
newspapers about il afterward. Al
which is beneath contempt.
"They are no less condescending t
their humble neighbors No regar
seems worth their while unless It
taken by audacity. Il fouLd the doc
of your heart open, one of the charmin
minxes whom Twas beginning to tolerat
said to me once. j walked in withor
knocking, and mean to stay
"'Tm determined you shall be dt
voted to me, another said, setting he
lips and looking straight into my fac
with her lovely blue eyes. This migl
be very nice to school-boy or a youn
idiot who didn't know his or her ow
mind. but to make sayings like this he
stock in trade, renders a girl tiresom
beyond relief. I'd as lief see a thunde
storm coming as one of these assured an
overcoming chits who is always certai
that with her looks and position and hC
condescension she can make civilitit
irresistible.
"NIiss Winchester, what is the seer
of being lady? Is it to be true an
fearless like a man, or to be just or poll
and charitable, and always giving L
oneself for othersP"
Miss Winchester was darning tabl
cloth. She always did the nice parts
housekeeping to steady her nerves, 81
said. and she took time to answer.
"The truest ladies ever knew hi
two things so blended that one nev
knew which to be surest of their since
ity or their kindness. Inever saw lad
whether she was girl or grown woma
who had not the faculty wise writ
caYs a genius for loving 1t was bo
in them, and grew with them. 1t is