Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-02-14
Prejudice.


should think the daughters of Pierus had
challenged the muses. TO trial in music
again This must be the home of the nine
famous magpies. | suppose Calliope has
snng her song of Proserpine; Cyane has
dissolved to fountain, the famous boy To
an Eft Ascalaphus is gloomy owl the
daughters of Achelous are charming sirens
Arethusa is fearful fountain, and Triptol.
emus is a sharp-sighted lynx. Calliope
proceeds with her dispeasure and turns you
all into magpies. How long since you began
to feel the feathers grow, your noses turn
ing into beaks your arms to wings 2 How
soon did your chatter begin, and what is it
all about p
sudden silence had fallen upon the oc-
cupants OF Mrs. Corydon's parlor at her en-
trance, lasting during her shower of words,
but broken now by hearty laugh from the
magic nine, two of whom were her own
daughters, the Others under her care while
spending season by the sea.
80 Mrs Corydon how delightful you
have made our evenings Were it not for
your suavity and entertainment, your pleas
ant smiles would have been Greek to me.
1t was only last Tuesday you read and trans
lated from Ovid the story of the Pierides," ="
exclaimed Minnie Claycomb, springing up
|
"Well you don't explain to mamma the
subject OF the challenging" said Grace
Corydon, $50 III have to. You see, mamma,
Frank Gordon has just returned from Cal
iiornia immensely rich the wonder is whom
he VIII catch. Mrs. Grundy says he came
back Tor wlfe.
les ana drace thinks she Is proof
against any charms, and asserts that she
VIII oe no modern Clytle, 10 pine and
teach the listening rocks her moan until
she turns into big sunilower to face her
lover Tor al time, SAID Minnie, with serio-
comic look.
re what nonsense, young ladies'; one
would think your whole business here was
10 marry some paragon, instead OF enjoying
and prohting by the pleasures of the sea-"
Mrs Corydon gave an ominous wave OF her
hands, as If to Danish the subject, but the
babel would not be quieted.
wen, but mamma, Frank Gordon is
gambler, smokes, uses profane language,
drives last horses, and
Yes, see there he goes. My, isn't that
a splendid turnout-riding alone, too Bah
what shame cried Flora Fleming, with
one Oh her tiny hands upon her heart
| 81 cannot see why Frank Gordon's re-
turn should create such furore among you.
| want to see him. lie was always good
boy, and I'm sorry to hear he is such vii
lain as you represent. What authority have
you, Grace for giving him such a hard
name @ = asked Mrs Corydon;
"Why, mamma, Anna Mckee said So"
so Anna is the Mrs Grundy. Did she
hear these reports while there visiting p
No, don't know as she heard it of
| Frank particularly" replied Grace, soften
ing little but she says most of the young
men there are wild and reckless. The eli
mate is very stimulating, and she thinks
dissipation the cause of large proportion
| OF the cases OF insanity; statistics show
there are more insane in California than in
any other state; they live so fast. It is
perfect shame for these fellows to come back
here and set themselves up as respectable.
| don't care if they have money"
How beautiful Grace is when she is ami
mated whispered Flora to Minnie. | am
blind as ever as to what all this has to do
with Frank Gordon. Come, let us dress for
dinner, and perhaps we may meet this ogre.
! think he would call If he knew we were
here
| 1--WE should laugh to see Grace sighing
after him yet, wouldn't we," laughed Lucy
Hill, more quiet member of the party
Seriously, young ladies', we are not here
to marry off. Mrs Corydon looked archly
around her little circle she was widow
and still beautiful at forty-five.
You needn't fear me, mamma; you
know detest all fast young men, and es-
pecially Californians."
A rap at the door-a card
Show the gentleman up As the door
closed, There is no nelp for it, girls, it is
Mr.. Gordon"
40 mamma - 40 Mrs. Corydon !"
came from the magpies.
"We're not dressed" cried Minnie
"No matter. He'll not expect it of us
plain people from Chester | had lust as
leave he would find us so" replied Mrs
Corydon, quietly.
Flora tugged at her crimps put up since
breakfast. Lucy drew lace barbe from
her pocket-nice place for it-and hastily
tied it around her neck. Alice Mrs. Cory.
don's second daughter, made dash for the
dressing-room, and gave her refractory curls
a stroke or two with the brush. Grace was
the only one who sat quite still and mani.
tested perfect indifference.
"Mrs Corydon, I'm not exactly argus
eyed, but you see have found vou Excuse
a morning call on plea of old acquaintance.
You are looking so like Yourself after all
these years"
| lou are very welcome, assure YOU, Mr.
Gordon" replied Mrs Corydon. returning
the hearty shake warmly. Allow me to
introduce the young ladies-possibly thew
have outgrown your knowledge-my daugh-
ter Grace"
Indeed am most happy to meet Mis /,
Grace. You were simply little Oracle ;
when left now find you a Young lady."
Mr.. Gordon spoke cordially, and there was
melody in his manly voice; but it was
enough to make an iceberg of him, Grace
bowed so formally and coldly, though a
faint blush crept over her face as he scanned
her beautiful features.
One after another the Young ladies were
brought TO Mr.. Gordon's recollection. He
had known them all as little girls of Ches-
ter. Alice said she remembered when he
saved her whipping at school. For this
pleasantly he thought he ought to claim
kiss, and she, without any hesitation, pursed
up her lips and gave one in dispatch, much
to the dismay of all present There was
some excuse for her perhaps as she was
only fifteen, the Youngest of the party.
II went to Chester" said Mr.. Gordon,
gaily, sand stayed few days with my sis.
ter finding the life of the village had run
off, confess follow ed, and expect to have
a good time | think, for old acquaintance
sake, | may be quite at home with your
little party, Mrs. Coydon."
He was SO gentemanly and polite talked
so huently and easy, that he appeared a