The Democratic advocate., 1883-07-21

mortified in my life 1t is impossible that
papa would allow us to order goods just
for the purpose of receiving humlhatlng
refusal"
So the sisters talked over the humiliat-
inc incident, which the reader understands
better than they did. They now went
into draper's shop, where they were in
the habit of making purchases. Here
each selected an elegant new silk dress and
ordered it to be sent home.
"Wait moment" said the young man
who had shown them the goods; and ne
stepped across the shop to where one OF
the proprietors was standing. Their ex-
perience at the jewelers. made the two
Young ladies feel little nervous at this
movement, and their eyes took note OF the
knitted brows and earnest manner OF the
principal. In a little while the young man
came back. and with smile that was evil
IDENTIFY enforced, and an embarrassment OF
manner which could not be hidden, said,
ave should prefer not sending these goods
to-day, if you will excuse us"
"Oh, just as you like" Kate tossed her
head little proudly; but the arrow had
gone to her heart. A few minutes the
sisters fingered, and then, with crest-fall-
en- air that could not be yelled, went quietly
from the shop.
This shock considerably agitated their
nerves. and led them to seek refuge and re-
freshments at a pastry cooks. As they
entered they noticed a party of three young
ladies at table, who eyed them closely.
From the shop they passed into back
room, and seated themselves at the ex-
treme end; but not liking the position,
came back to table near the entrance,
across which Venetian screen was placed.
This brought them very close to the party
of Young ladies we have mentioned, and
within hearing distance, though concealed
from them.
s'They're the talk of the whole neighbor-
hood. Scarcely were they seated before
this sentence pricked their ears,
"On what account p was asked.
"Oh, on various accounts; mainly for
their silly pride and Haunting airs. You
saw how they were over-dressed, and how
queenly they tried to walk-as if the
ground they trod ON was scarcely good
enough for their dainty feet"
eyes, [ noticed that. But L suppose
their father has deep purse, and wealth
turns the heads of some people"
"There lies the poor folly Of the whole
thing" answered the other speaker. $50
far from being a rich man, their father is
over head and ears in debt, and worried
half out of his life to make his payments
and keep above water. My brother knows
all about his business affairs, and says it's a
disgrace for his daughters to add the heavy
burden they must be adding to the bent
shoulders ofso kind-hearted man. Proud
idle, good-for-nothings, he calls them. He
took a fancy to one Of them; but soon com,
pretending her quality, turned away in
disgust. The family is in debt everywhere
Our dressmaker told me last week that they
owe her nearly fifty pounds, and that she
has sent for the money over and over again
and l know they have a large unpaid
bill at jewelers.. The grocer and butch
er in our neighborhood both say that it is
almost impossible to get an account settled
and yet these idle girls sweep about in rict
attire, as though they were the daughters
Of prince"
Il don't wonder they are the talk of the
neighborhood, y was replied to this.
'And they keep three servants, for
sooth p went on the other, "The neigh
bors think it would be more creditable fol
them to keep but one-and honester into
the bargain -
"How many sisters are there?'
''Three."
"All alike p"
"No. The youngest is wholly different
from the two you saw just now. She's a
sensible girl, and worth score of her good
for r-nothing sisters"
And the conversation ceased.
The talk of the whole neighborhood
Even So Full two weeks passed before
Kate and her sister were again seen abroad,
and then so great was the change in their
attire and manner that many people who
knew them questioned each other as to its
meaning. During these two weeks other
scales had dropped from their eyes. So
stern was the pressure Of embarrassment
upon their father that he had been forced
to yield, and all men knew him as broken
merchant.
Necessity cannot stand to parley with
circumstances-it does not give place to
pride. Mr.. Hamilton was compelled to
demand of his family different style of
living. Three servants gave place to one;
and idle daughters had, under constraint, to
assume their places, and become the talk
of the neighborhood. To them the fact
involved deep humiliation. But how did
the neighbors talk In many ways; yet
chiefly in tenor like this
II didn't think it was in them" SO a
lady opposite remarked to a friend who
lived next door.
"Nor l." was answered. "Kate, in par
ticular, had such a proud, dashing air, and
was so vain and idle, that [ never could
have believed it possible for her to make
a sensible woman. But she has promptly
accommodated herself to her fathers
changed circumstances. They vesent away
all their servants, | am told.
eyes"
"a fact more creditable to them than
idle dependence on their father
GA thousand times more creditable
Do you know, I've felt an utter contempt
for these girls ? But now respect comes
involuntarily,'
"Just what Mrs. Lee told me this morn
ing
HMisfortune is the only means of saliva
ton for some people
"It is the only thing" replied the neigh
Dor, "that would have saved the daughters
of MIR. Hamilton. I've never called upon
them, but shall do SO now"
So the neighbors talked, as neighbors
who are very apt to look past the outward
seeming to the real character, will talk:
Pride and pretence cannot hang up veil
thick enough to conceal the truth; and
mock gentility is sure to be detected and
despised.