The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-10-16
HOW | BECAME THE FASHION.
AN ENGLISH STORY,

| was born a beauty; from the time
could talk and understand, it was in
stllled into me rs fact. When could
toddle about, some judicious person,
probably nurse, gave me the name of
Beauty" and it stuck to me ever after.
| don't think was Unfortunately proud
of nv distinction, although even in
childhood it makes difference, but it
seems to me as l look back that my at
fractions were made use of by my
brothers and sisters for their own
benefit. They were always sending me
to beg holiday on the plea that s. Papa
won't refuse Beauty" or later on to get
leave to 60 to this or that place OF amuse-
ment, for " Mamma is sure to let Beauty
have her way"
It's wonder wasn't quite spoiled
but l don't think 1 was; at least no
such accusation was ever made, even
when sisterly civilitieS were being inter-
changed. We were large family.
principally girls, all presentable except
my eldest sister, Matilda; she had no
looks to speak about, but she made it up
by superabundance of brains--she
was the family headpiece, q SORT of
plateau to be relied upon on all state
occasions. She certainly was a remark
able woman; her one idea was to push
ones self toward in life.
How angry she was when l married
Charley She was at Gibraltar settling
my brother Edmund in his appointment,
and l was Mrs. Redcar before she came
back. Charley was captain with good
prospects of getting on, but Matilda
made him sell out and put his money
into new company started to provide
Venice with tram cars; after that we
came up to town, because Matilda said
that with my beauty and Charley's con-
nections London was the place for us.
We were sure to push our way; but
curiously enough, we didn't. Charley's
connections belonged to the Plymouth
Brothers and Sisters, and my good looks
were quite thrown away on people who
wore poke bonnets. There was one
old man, grand-uncle of Charley's,
who had live in the regency days, and
said l was the image of Dolly Bloom
field, whoever she might be.
A year or so passed very quietly, and
then Matilda came up to see how we
were getting on. She was very indig-
nant when she found that we had made
no way, and scolded us roundiy for our
supineness.
81 have no patience with either of
you."she said. with Beauty's looks
and the Redcar connection you ought
to be at the very top of the tree" And
then we explained to her about the
Plymouth Brethren.
but there's Charley's godfather's
wife; she has nothing to say to trade or
meeting-houses, because I see her parties
every week in the Morning Post" said
nv sister with look which meant:
You can't impose on me; if Beauty
were ONLY seen there she'd soon push
her way
Charley looked at me and looked at
Charley, and then we both burst out
laughing. Il was notifying confess
sion. but the truth was we had been at
Charley's wife's godmother's-no, 1
mean Charley's godfather's wife-more
than once, and nothing had come of my
:. being seen there ".but the bills we had
to pay for the dress wore and the car
riage.
Matilda looked very glum when we
told her this. 81 don't see what you
are laughing at" she said, Grossly. mo
one buta fool would find amusement in
heir own failure" This was very
severe, but Matilda was awfully put