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

We SHttll hive TeCOulSt 10 llCIlIlOuS HHlueS,
and we introduce our young lady acquain-
lance us Miss Clara Clinton, and her faith
cr as Judge Clinton of Clintonville.
They-that is the people-called the
Judge the oldest man that ever lived. If
oddity consists in having way of his own.
Judge Clinton was an odd man. He would
insist upon living in little, brown, old
fashioned house, without carpets upon the
floors, and, what was more vexatious, he
would not allow sofa, or lounge, or
J rocking chair inside of the four walls. AS
he had an idea that the whole country was
going to rack and ruin, because the men
wore broadcloth, and the women wore
silks, he declared that he would wear
homespun as long as he lived and his
women folks should be restricted to calico.
AS we have nothing to do with Mrs.
Judge Clinton we shall not allude to the
hearty veXation with which she carried
out the old Judges whimsical notions.
As she could do nothing better than to
gulp down chagrn, gulp it down she did,
and womanlke pretended to believe with
her husband, that they could reform the
whole world by making themselves con-
spicOusly mean and uncomfortable.
Judge Clinton was still in indigo color
ed homespun, and Mrs. Judge Clinton in
nine-penny calico, when Miss Clara Cln-
ton, having reached the age of eighteen,
and having u will of her own, which her
mother was careful to tell everybody she
inherited from her father, announced her
determination and desire to 60 to ladies
boarding school.
The Judge himself had been y poor
boy, self educated through his own exer-
tions. Be was proud of his humble birth
and the difficulties he had overcome at
Brundery. He had read Virgil by the aid
of penny candle, and solved problems of
Euclid by moonlight. He respected but
one desire in the world, and that was II
thirst for knowledge. So when Miss Clara
protested that she must, could, and would
90 to boarding school, Judge Clinton
cheerfuIly acquesced, and expressed him
self ready to cash over.
No sooner was this interesting subject
broached, however, than, to Miss Caras
surprise, her father selected one of the
most expensive, thorough and aristocratic
institutions in the country, paid the yearly
expenses in and sent her at once TO COM
plete her education, with twenty five cents
for spending money and three calico gowns
for wardrobe.
1t was bad enough, Miss Clara said,
sobbing all the while as if her beautiful
eyes had been liquid fountains, to be OBJ
hged to dress in calico, but to have gowns
all alike, from the self-same piece so that
her companions would think she had but
hat tl,o h,rl,,k of
But the old Judge was incorrigible. He
had saved two shilings and sixpence by
having them all alike, and he was salts
fed, but his daughter was not.
1t was bright, clear May morning
when Miss Clara bade adieu to the ugly
brown homestead, and her mother who
wiped the tears on her calico apron, and
the sheep that bore the fleece from which
her fathers homespun was made. She
loved everything about the dun -colUred
dwelling, now that she looked back upon
it from the coach window But the novel
ty of her condition soon overcome her
grief, and she forgot all petty vexations
amid new scenes and strange faces around
her.
Very weary and travel soiled she arriv-
ed at the end of her journey, and was
shown into the reception room, where
were seated stylish young ladies, evident
ly newly arrived like herself.
There was Miss June with exquisitely
fitting gray travelling dress, who looked
her over with quisical glance in her
dark eyes, and Miss Clara felt sure that the
peculiar smile that fingered upon those
sarcastic lips owned its existence to the
fact that she wore calico.
Blushing to her very temples, poor
Clara looked away, only to encounter the
gaze of Miss Gay, reclining on the sofa in
the most faultesS attire, seemingly absorb
ed in studying the pattern of the print
Miss Gay and Miss June exchanged
Glanccs and smiled. Tears swelled up
from Clara's full heart, but she was loo
proud to wipe them away; one fell. then
another, when Il soft voice said =
You are very tired. am sure; so are
we all, but we shall be attended to soon"
Clara looked her thanks to the gentle
speaker-a girl plainly dressed, and of IL
sweet, winsome countenance, who, bring.
ing her chair nearer, asked her some triv-
ival questions, and related some amusing
experience of her own in reaching the in-
stitution.
Clara felt more ut ease and being natur-
ally vivacious and intelligent soon made
friends with the kind hearted stranger who
invited her to become her roommate.
The school term soon commenced, and
there was little time for Clara to think of
her homely garments. But when Sunday
| hn tpaly nj;
dress from her trunk exactly like the one
she had worn through the week her room
mate said:
Miss Clinton, l beg your pardon, but
wouldn't something else be more becom-
ing for to-day? The young ladies usually
dress a great deal here, especially the first
Sabbath appearing and | am afraid that
you will not find it pleasant to be so plain
ly attired."
Clara blushed, but she was brave
hearted girl, and had the good sense TO see
that deception would avail nothing, SO she
answered frankly:
The truth is, have but three dresses
in the world, and those are exactly alike"
Miss Pleasant looked ut her moment
as if she thought she was quizzing but
pcTCelNlnS lIle OluSueS anu confusion OF
her roommate, burst out laughing.
Why, Clara! 1t is so comical You
must eXcnse me if do laugh u little.
How does it happen that you dress 50
phinly?"
Well my father is very odd in some
things, and it is his will that we shall
wear print"
Miss Pleasant went to the closet, and
shaking out very plain bat presentable
black silk, said:
"Please wear this, dear Clara. DO not
think but | shall love you just us well in
calico, but many of the girls won't and
you are so sensitive you will be wounded.
| can do well without this dress the whole
term, and no one will know bat what it is
yours
Clara hesitated. She had always dosir-
ed silk dress. She had been thinking alI
the morning of the ridicule of her school
mates. Should she accept the profiered
kindness, or would it be better to appear
rs she really was.
She did not hesitate long; but putting
her arms around Miss Peasants neck
kissed her with trembling lips, and then
said, in quiet, firm way
THANK you Thank you thousand
times. 1t does not seem best My father
would not approve of it, nor do L. If yon
lovn mo thnt iS nnnuuh ~