Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-05-03
The Stury Teller.
THE PERFECT TREASURE.
BY ALICE B. NEAL.

BY ALICE B. NEAL.
1t is not ofte. that city friendships are
worth much-not that we inveigh against
those that grow with our growth and
strengthen with our strength, be it in town
or country. We mean that feeting excite
ment of intimacy, which springs up on
party or concert night, between two ladies
who have scarcely heard of each other be-
fore; fourishes luxuriantly through sea-
son; and ends in coldness or decided rup-
ture by twelvemonth, leaving both parties
toshrug their fair shoulders meaningly when
the other is named, to avoid all contact in
shops or picture galleries, and to declare to
themselves three times day that they
sswould give hundred dollars if they had
not told Mrs. Dash that fuss with Harry, or
about that bill at Stewards"
Once in while a real and increasing in
terest arises for some person met in the
whirl of society, which, if circumstances
will allow, brings forth the good fruit OF
kindly feeling and mutual friendly offices.
1t was such an attraction that drew the quiet
Mrs. Dalton toward the prettiest bride OF
the season in their large circle, Mrs. George
Porter. It was not returned very ardently
at first, for Mrs. Dalton was not what is
called an elegant woman, nor did she live IN
a stylish house. Her house was comforta-
bly, furnished, her children and herself well
butnot showily dressed. Perhaps the elder
lady would not have troubled herself to con-
tinue advances so carelessly met, had it not
been that Mrs. Porter was careless about ev-
erything except her own pretty person, and
Mrs. Dalton knew that the time would come
when her real friendly feelings would be
better understood and appreciated.
There are many such young wives and
mothers-in city life especially-who love
their husbands and their children after a
style of their own, provided they dc, not en-
croach too much upon their own pleasures
and pursuits. They had not yet made that
sacrifice of "self' which commences new
era in the life of every person, and some
times changes the most apparently trivial
nature to an earnest and thoughtful charac-
ter, which they wonder at, as much as their
friends.
same good-naturedly selfish creature as had
been the bride, after the first excitement of
showing rer pretty baby to all her friends
and acouaintances, in its embroidered blan-
ket and Valenciennes frilled cap, was over.
She tied it's little sleeve ribbons in the most
exquisite little bows, and fondled it ten
minutes at time, whenever she was not
too handsomely dressed to take it. The
little Ella renounced the pOmp and vanities
in as handsome a christening robe as her
papa's means would afford, and for the rest,
was left pretty much to the management of
her nurse, fortunately a careful, mlddle-aged
woman, who took much better care of the
infant than its mother, with the very best
intentions, could have done.
1t is great pity that these domestic
treasures are subject to the common ills of
life, and get sick, or have dying friends to
nurse now and then. 1t was in this way
that Manner left Mrs. Porter the DAY before
Mrs. Dalton, going to pay her early morning
call, found the discomfitted mother of Miss
Ella just going out in search of nurse.
"Did you ever know anything more pro-
voking" was Mrs. Porter's salutation, ty-
ing her bonnet strings as becomingly as pos
sible before the parlOr mirror. and setting
her mantilla over her shoulders, as if it had
been for fashionable call. Mrs. Porter had
habit of taking pains with her personal
appearance. 81 declare, am half distract
ed to think that this brother of Manners
should get sick just as we're going to West
Point, and all. Whatever Pm going to do
without her can't imagine! / depend so
much-she has had her own way in every
thing-I never interfere in anything; and
here she must 60 and leave me without a
days warning, because her unfortunate
brother took it into his head to have ship
fever"
ooh! am very sorry to know it ship
fever is SO very dangerous and infectious,
toOw ...-
ayes, that's what makes it so particular
ly bad for me the people where he board:
ed were afraid to nurse him, and then l
sha'n't dare to let Manner come back,
YOU know, when it's all over. Just see
here" and Mrs. Porter held up a handful
of sill ps, very much resembling motto pa
pers, advertisements. See what a guam
tity have to 60 to; streets | never heard
of before I cut them out of the Herald at
breakfast, or George did, and he ordered the
carriage here at eleven"
''It is after eleven now," Mrs. Dalton
said as consolingly as she could, for she
knew the loss of such person as nurse was
no light trouble; $50 l will not keep YOU
81 can't urge you to stay, though | really
did want to see you; suppose these peo'
pie must be seen a1ter-Or WON'T you cOHle
with me?" hastily asked Mrs. Porter, a.
they stood in the hall, and she saw the com
Portable carriage her always thoughtful hus'
band had sent
Mrs. Dalton accepted the invitation. She
had no particular engagement for the morn,
ing, and it occurred to her that she might
be of service to the inexperienced mother in
selecting Manners successor.
SO Renson street. DO you know where
it is driver? Pm sure don't; she adver.
tises as nurse and seamstress. Mrs. Dalton
that's the objection l had to nurse; she
couldn't sew. She said there was no time
without neglecting baby; now that's foolish
for l never heard her cry; if she had been
cross child, it would be different" ran or
Mrs. Porter, as they crossed Broadway, and
entered the narrower streets beyond.
"Perhaps the good care nurse gave hel
prevented her from being fretful. Neglec
ted children are always the most peevish.'
"Oh, but she was naturally goOd-temper
ed and / don't believe she was ever sick in
her life. Now that it's most time to put
her in short clothes, / want a nurse that
can sew. Mrs. Parks showed me some