Huntsville gazette., 1881-12-03

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The little lacy in black silk smiled
pleasantly.
"My Oldest daughter, Mrs. Slimborn,"
she answered, sis now perfecting herself
try not to be shocked-in the art of
dressmaking. To use more plebeian ex-
preston, she has learned trade. She
made the dress, Mrs. Slimborn, that you
admired so much to-day at dinner. Her
taste ran in this direction, and my aim
has been to have her learn everything
that can be learned of the science of
dressmaking. If anything were to happen
now or in the future which made it nee
essary for her to support herself, she
could do it. My youngest daughter has
graduated from college, and will return
this fall to take up astronomy with the
professor Of that institution. To add
little to this personal narrative, Mrs.
Slimborn," and now the little lady
laughed heartily, sit is my desire that
both my daughters shall live lives Of
single -blessedness.
Mercy on me! old maids!" Mrs.
Slimborn exclaimed.
"Old maids unless their husbands are
their equals in the qualities that insure
happiness to married life," said Mrs.
Beaufort, earnestly. "To bury my
daughters, Mrs. Slimborn," she added,
"would be light trouble comparedl
with giving them to unprincipled and'
dissolute men. Wealth my daughtefs
can live without if need be, but honor is
Indispensable"
The music had ceased, and Miss
Birdie had walked away with her admir-
er. Mrs. Slimborn, good deal dazed,
and more shocked by what she had
heard, excused herself as soon as she
could, and went in search of the young
couple.
The next day the formal announce
ment was made of the engagement be-
tween James Nicklespoon, Esq, and
Miss Birdie Slimborn.
That morning Mr.. Nicklespoon cele-
brated his engagement by getting
drunk
"Boys must be boys!" Mrs. Slimborn
remarked when the news came to her,
and both she and her daughter COM
mented jokingly on the young mans
dissipated appearance the next day.
Mr.. Nicklespoon's place on the Hudson,
Mr.. Tablespoons town house, and un-
limited means, fully compensated in the
eyes Of both mother and daughter for
any and every indiscretion" which
Mr.. Nicklespoon might be guilty of.
Early in the fall Mr.. Nicklespoon and
Miss 61irrbvrn were married. MIS-.
Beaufort, aware of the rottenness upon
which this union was built, watched
with absorbing interest the career of
this young couple.
It took just four years for Mr.. Nickle-
spoon to go through with his property,
and at the expiration of that time Mrs.
Nicklespoon was obliged to flee to her
parents not only for shelter, but for
protection against the dissipated wretch
to whom her mother had been in such
haste to marry her. Mr.. Slimborn, who
had speculated on the expectation Of
financial assistance from his wealthy
son-in- law, finally failed in business, and
soon after died. Mrs. Slimborn, her
daughter and grandchild, are now OBJ
jects of charity, neither woman having
the ability to contribute in the slightest
manner to her own support. Mrs. Beau
fort, full of pity for their misfortune,
found q few music scholars forI Mrs.
Nicklespoon, but that lady's superficial
education, Notwithstanding her two
years abroad, made it impossible forher
to give satisfaction.
"I told you Birdie couldn't teach!"
Mrs. Slimborn remarked one day to
Mrs. Beaufort. 81 didn't educate her
for teacher; and then her sensibilities
are much too fine for such drudgery."
"It wasn't any use to say anything
to her." Mrs. Beaufort remarked after
ward; "but it seems to me the story of
these two women ought to be written.
Perhaps some mother who reads it will
think less of her daughters marriage
and more of her education. If mothers
would only find out what their girls are
fitted for, and then see to it that they
learn thoroughly whatever they take up,
always with self-support in view, world
of misery would be saved. Marriage
under most conditions is lottery" she
continued; "and the proper education
of our girls is the only thing in life that
will ever make it less SO. ."-Eteanor
KIRK, IN chronological Journal.
-sI have returned your umbrella;