The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-11-01

Comes hope of more pleasures than yet are be-
But still 'twopld b Jolly, l can't help but say.
= Mrs. Mary II. Dodge, in lPide7ADdke.
A Selfish and Unloyely Character.
AMONG all the elegant homes in one
of our Eastern cities, you would scarce
ly have been able to find a brighter or
more beautiful girl than Alice Deyens1
Her parents were accomplished and
cultured; ;,the1centeriof large and in
fiuential circle Of wealthy, refined peo-
Pile; and in their home and at their
hospitable table were often found as
guests many Of the noblest and the
most noted of our literateurs and
artists. During the long winter even
'ings it was not unusual to see a brill
liant company gathered there, and en-
tertained by delightful readings from
our best elocutionists, and music from
some well-known and gifted pianist
and singers, while often a bright, orig
inal poem was brought out; and
games, and well-told stories, brilliant
sayings and witty remarks made these
occasions memorable. 1t was Alice's
delight to be present at all these re-
unions, and to contribute her share of
the entertainment in song and brilliant
repartee. She was much praised and
flattered by many of her friends, not
only for her beauty, her elegant car
riage and, her brilliant conversation, SO
remarkable in a girl of twenty, but also
for her thoughtful ways and polite
manners to all her friends. Those who
saw her on such occasions would often
remark "What a lovely. girl Alice
Devens is, and what Joy and comfort
to her parents she must be ]" .;-s.
1t would have been hard for these
friends to believe that one so gifted and
SO beautiful, and with such pleasing
manners, could be other than Joy and
comfort in her home, for she seldom
manifested her selfish and unlovely
character before strangers. And Alice
little imagined, as she made some rude
remarks one day, thoughtless, perhaps,
and forgotten by her in a moment, that
those few words and the tone of voice
in which they were uttered, lowered
her forever in the estimation of ali ele-
giant gentleman, one of the best known
of Americans, whose good opinion and
beautiful compliments had given her
much pleasure. In time, as Alice be-
came better known to few intimate
friends, many would say as they looked
upon her, "How sad to have such a
daughter p u asf .grl
The little things, which though con-
sidered as trifies by some, changed in
an instant the opinion of the esteemed
friend we have referred to, were these:
Mr.. b. and his wife were dining one
day with Mrs. Devens, and as the atten-
moment, from good story Mr.. B. was
relating, by some necessary words with
a servant, she lost the point OF the
story, and, begging pardon OF her
guest. said: !" May / trouble you to re-
peat the old Quaker's reply?' (Which
was the gist lof it all.) Before Mr.. b.
could reply, Alice, with a merry laugh,
said: !" It. won't do much good to re-
peat it, Mr.. B., for mother seldom un-
derstands Jokes, does she, father?n turn
ing toward him with bright, saucy
look on her face. ial sgyq o}
But, instead of receiving an approx
ing look, her father said: g Your moth
er understands jokes much better than
YOU do politeness," and, without fur
ther remark, Mr. B. repeated the story.
Poor Alice felt crushed, not because OF
her rudeness to. her mother, nor Of her
fathers rebuke, for neither were un-
common, but because she feared she no
longer would have the good opinion OF
this friend. But, as they fingered over
the dessert and coffee, and the CONVEX
sation was carried on as though moth
ing had occurred to break the smooth
and pleasant current of thought, Alice,s
spirits revived, and she hoped Mr.. B.
would forget her remark and still cher
ish the same good opinion OF her.
Shortly after dinner Mr.. B. invited
Mr.. and Mrs. Devens to drive in the
park, and, turning to Alice, politely re-
marked, al wish, Miss Alice, you could
90, too.n As there were but four. COM
Portable seats in the carriage, Alice
knew she could not 60 if her mother ac-
cepted the invitation. So, as Mrs. Dew
ems, left the room to get her wraps,
Alice followed her, and said: "Doyou
want to 60 very much, mamma5 Il
think it, too bad have to stay! Won't
YOU let me goin your place; you know
YOU told me that you were going to ar
range the trimmings on my blue silk
after dinner, and now if you 60 that
WON'T be DONE Mrs. Devens paid no
attention to these selfish remarks, but
quietly put ON her bonnet and shawl,
and returned to the parlor, ready to go
for the drive. Mr.. b., noticed the ex-
preston on Alice's face, and immedi-
ately OWNED the cause oft, but, polite
ly bidding her good evenings the party
started off. H.S, = 'snis
The next day Mr. B.twas guest at
another elegant home, Mr., ,Dalrymple's,
a friend of long years, and, during the
evening, as he referred to his pleasant
visit with Mr.. and Mrs. Devens, his host
remarked:
"What lovely daughter they have;
she's one of the most beautiful girls l
ever knew, and certainly one OF the
most attractive in our whole circle"
eyes, responded Mr.. B., she is
beautiful and brilliant in society, but
am sorry to say / regard her as unloye-
| ly,'' apd then he told them OF her rude
ness to her mother at the table. OF her
selfish, unhappy look when she went
out for a drive, and added, A young
| LADY who is rude to her parents, and
especially to her mother, and thought
| less and selfish in regard to her pleas.
ure, though she look like queen and
| is as brilliant as George Sand, loses all
| attraction for me, and her charming
| manners count for nothing; while 9
lovely, unselfish girl, Though neither SC
beautiful or so brillian5, is tome fal
more attractive. ! shall neyerlbe able
| to think of Alice Devens as used to. =
Therelis an old proyerb, . Straws
show the way the wind blows" and
There is no better illustration of it than
/ in the conduct Of children toward theil
i parents, which is often eyinced in JUS
| such ways as we have. described, ant
Young people who are in the habit O
|ltreating their parents with disrespect
4 though they may conceal it for awhile
from strangers, will sooner Of later re
i, veal their true characters, and ne ests
I mated accordingly; while those whs
Il are always polite and Fespecfful 9
hodisr Sfilf Id happy in the lore Of then
pafeksSI ID real selk kresl,ect. and IN ~
| estgem Of al theira gQpd and noDlt
| friends! Chicago STANDARD,
4 4 HussAxp--"That' beastiy dog!
II ..,,,t a,,for the room without hfo B3tiHI