The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-02-09
FLORA'S LESSON.


ITS way up the panes, and a rose-tree
was in full bloom. 1t was a pretty
little house of red brick, with brown
stone facings, such as you often see in
the quieter and less aspiring streets of
a great city-a house which bore traces
of taste, refinement, and some preten-
sion.
Flora, at the age of twenty, had been
her fathers housekeeper for four
years-and this morning he had given
her cheque for fifty dollars.
"To buy new dinner-set of china,
my DEAR" he said, pleasantly. Intend
to invite Gates and Plumer and their
wives to dinner in a few days, with
young Hayden and the Misses Hazel,
and should like everything to be ship
shape"
Eyes, papa" said Flora.
But the slight curl of her lip told
that the families of Plumer and Gates,
the Misses Hazel and young Hayden,
were scarcely up to her. ''ideal views of
society"
"You might ask Mrs. Penrith Duke.
TOO, if you pleased" said Mr.. Fountain.
incidentally.
"Mrs. Penrith Duke! To meet Mrs.
Plumer and Misses Hazel! Oh, papa"
Mr.. Fountain shrugged his broad,
comfortable shoulders.
"And why not ?" said he. SIS Mrs.
Penrith Duke made of different flesh
and blood from these excellent friends
of mine?"
"No, papa" hesitated Flora, little
confused that her inward thoughts had
been so readily deciphered; "but-but
she moves in altogether a diff
ferent circle!"
well, then, there let her remain"
said Mr.. Fountain, brusquely. And
as for the china, Flo, exercise your own
taste. If there is any glass needed, let
me know. want things to be in nice
erder.'
Papa" hesitated Flora, "is-is bust
ness flourishing just now?"
"Pretty fairly, Flo. Why do you
ask 90
-Oh, papa" burst out the girl, 81 do
20 long for real cameIs hair shawl
9iko Mrs, Penrith Duke's!"
NONSENSE decisively uttered Mr..
Fountain. "Camers-hair shawls would
be just as inappropriate for people in
sur rank of life as diamonds for SER
wants in livery. This is some of your
fsiend Mrs. Penrith Dukes mad folly"
Flora colored, and hung her head.
"rnsye always longed for a cash
mere shawl, papa" said she.
Then put it out of your head for good
and. all," said Mr.. Fountain. 81 can
afffgd no such piece eXtravagance;neith-
er would it be appropriate for you to
wear one if 1 could"
II can't think" sighed Flora to her
self, as she watched her fathers de-
parting footsteps, "why papa hates
Mrs. Penrith Duke so dreadfully, an
yure that to me her friendship is per
1eetly invaluable"
And then, having finished the morn
ing care of the birds, Flora Fountain
KAT down to read the paper.
What pointing ginger of fate" wa
it that directed her gaze to the specia
paragraph of the special col
uinn of the morning paper whicl
rcad:
rREAr BARGAINS IN CAMEL s-uAIR sHAwIs
NJ Direct from India. Will be dispose
ST at private sale, at less than half price
Apply at No. - Margin Street.
And, within the next five minute
the postman's whistle sounded lou
and clear and letter came froI
Guasin Phebe, up in Maine, to let he
know that old Aunt Ruellah was dea
II last.
And she has left you her set {
antique china, worth nobody know
how much, and all In perfect order
xrote Cousin Phebe. 81 have ordert
1t boxed and sent to you at once, ar
yon will probably receive it the last
the week"
A sudden inspiration dawned {
FlDra Fountains brain.
Il shall not need the new dim
rhina now," she thought. "And CT
take papa's cheque, and-who know
perhaps it will help to buy me a re
raaBers-hair shawl have forty d.
Hrs of my own, and could borrow
Just for a day or two-the money tn