The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-08-26


| Sophia would say.
aNot a bit, Sophy You like it, or you
! would not laugh. And, beside, why need the
old man be bore and the young man block
headl o, may the day never dawn when
do anything but laugh at a stupid or foolP
Still Sophia was kept in wonder and fear
by her mothers growing turn for economy
| In some things she was becoming almost
penurious, and the question: What will it
costYn which once she disdained to ask Of any
thing that pleased her, was now never off her
lips. There was a positive alarm about her
manner, too, when any new expense was in
view, which was full Of grave suggestions;
and Sophia quite tried to reconcile herself to
! Goldmore's opinion that her mother had
lived beyond her means, and was now trying
to exc out her means. Beside, the old woman
| would sometimes, in covert way, try to
| sound Sophia as to what she would do when
left alone in the world, and once she actually
asked her if she had any idea of ever making
money for herself. This uneasy question
pointed only too plainly in the direction Of
the practical Goldmore's observation, that
Mrs. Temple was living ON an income that
would perish with her, and that Sophia would
be left in poverty But beyond conjecture
no one could go, for the old woman kept her
secret, and would not suffer any interroga-
tons To Sophia she confided that she felt a
little alteration in strength; but even to her
she would not admit that the cause was old
age.
"I am little exhausted, Sophy," she said
one day. "You see, l have worked hard at
enjoyment for great many years. l shall
do Just what johnson used to make our peach
nd xyi,, do of tho Raanhaq Loft mo
rest for few months, and next year l shall
recruit, regain strength Sophy, and be as
lively as ever. o, Sophy, Sophy," she cried,
clapping her withered hands together with
sprightliness which, whether real or feigned,
was equally amazing. II shall enjoy the
world, relish it, smack my lips over it, girl,
for years and years to comeP
CHAPTER VI.
IN WHICH LADY BEAUTY HAS HER PORTRAIT
PAINTED IN PRINTERS INK.
[Shall tell you why nave written this
story, 1t was because | met Sophia Temple,
then styled LADY Beauty" in her tifty-third
year; and her power to charm lat an age
when charms are commonly supposed to be
dead and gone) led me to ask, What is this
womans secret2 And having searched into
her life and character, and noted her ways,
venture to offer this imperfect record of her
life, and this still more imperfect picture Of
herself for the study Of her sex generally. l
wish to convince women that it is a great
mistake on their part to suppose that their
power to please departs with youth. AT all
times have noticed that men of sense seldom
admire-or, if you like, grow enamored Of
women for beauty alone, but for character,
manner, taste and conversation, Now, while
beauty I'VE must admit lessons with time,
character, manner, taste and conversation
may each be refined and enriched; and these,
l believe by their improvement can quite
compensate for the loss of personal charms
Mere beauty is but one bright, unchanging
beam-it will grow even wearisome; but
wit, sense courtesy and humanity are forever
casting forth new and unexpected rays, and
enlivening intercourse with agreeable sur
prises. And SO the story of Lady Beauty is
written as humble attempt TO encourage
women to try to be charming to their latest
day. For they can do it if they try.]
Sophia was without question far inferior In
physical beauty to Sibyl and l think most
people would have said that she was not so
handsome as Caroline Her features were
regular, her nose straight and fine, her com
plexion delicate and rosy; but still, in her
face she was no model of womanhood. Her
expression-and what is expression but char
acter fixed in the countenanceAmadeS Sophia
what she was. Her delicate upper lip, with
the hint of firmness in its fine line, told Of
resolution; the soft hazel eyes, with their up-
ward glance, had a look of aspiration; tho
moHth was full Of tenderness, ready to mold
itself to every affectionate feeling. But what
was this after ala Sophia's nature in So
phia's face
She was the best dresser ever knew OF
color, either by study or natural gift, she
was perfect mistress. Accordingly her ap-
pearance pleased numbers of people before
they saw her face; and many a time as she
went down the street the curiosity of those
who walked behind was aroused to see what
might be the face of the woman whose gown
and mantle were so striking by the harmony
or the contrast Of their hue Flowers, rib
bons, brooches, all that sets off dress she used
with the most unerring taste. And she man.
aged through all the changes of fashion to re
spect herself and her own figure and face; in
the fashion she always would be, but still she
mod dulated it so as to be the queen and not the
slave. No doubt Sophia must have paid
great attention to her dress, but | scarcely
think she could have achieved such constant
success, or so complete, had she not been a
dresser born
Then her manners in society were cap
tivaJing, Here l think the little mothers
homilies were useful, indeed. WITH what a
graceful attention she heard what you had to
say How modestly she gave her own
opinion She was well read, and could take
her part in most conversations with ease;
and now aud then she could deal ont a witty
stroke. Indeed Sophia had great deal Of
hunOr hut seldom gave it the rein in society
Night was her time, with Car and Sibyl and
often the two more brilliant girls, as they
laughed at her comical "reminiscences Of the
day would feel how easily Sophia could out
shine them if she tried.
She loved the world Here again the in
1uence Of her mother was perceptible, with
this difference that the world in her mothers
language signitied society and nothing more,
while Sophia would have included in it the
whole of nature and life / do not think
ever saw any one who had such a simple and
unaffected enjoyment in living as she. A
walk in the woods was enchantment to her;
and, on the other hand, | have seen her on
the tiptoe Of pleasurable excitement for a
ball. She was no poetic recluse; she never
Stunned society or its pleasures, but rather
sought them. There was not a particle Of
affectation about her; indeed, she retained
her girlishness and her love Of girlish amuse-
ments for an unusually long time.
And she certainly remembered her mothers
teaching in another particular; she tried to
please. She knew that woman ought to be
an object of admiration and affection, and
she ruled her whole life with this fact in
view. But Sophia understood the art of
charming, which, with all their grace
fulness, few English women entirely do.
Perhaps Nature feels that she has given
ON. Ennlish 1uonnan annunh already and