The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-08-10
A Plain Girl.

| Salu Young IFlenu W lue Glle Olle
day: "IfI had only been born will
good looks I might have been more
attractive to people. Now, there's AL
ice Scott, she has such beautiful eyes
and Hattie Barnes such a lovely com
pleXion and Mamie Reed-well, hel
face is altogether perfect; but I am Sc
plain, not one redeeming feature"
I was just aboutSo reply, when the
girl laid her hand aver my mouth and
laughingly continusd:
II know just what you are going to
say, Handsome is that handsome does,
and that is such an old proverb that il
is worn threadbare."
"You are much mistaken" I inter.
rupted "although it is true notwith.
standing, Miss Saucebox, was going
to tell you about lady | once had the
pleasure of meeting. L was visiting q
friend at one time who had very
large circle of acquaintances; where.
ever we went was sure to hear the
name of certain lady Miss Rollins)
mentioned, and everyone, strange to
relate, had something to say in her
favor-indeed, every one seemed to be
quite carried away with her.
Naturally was desirous of meeting
so charming creature, of whom I had
drawn mental picture. 1t is needless
to say that fancied hera great beauty.
Zone morning my friend and L were
sitting on the veranda, reading, and
hearing the gate click, I looked up and
saw very plain-looking woman CON-
ing up the driveway. With beam-
ing smile and delighted exclamation,
my friend advanced to meet her and
when greetings were exchanged she
was brought forward to where l was
sitting and introduced as Miss Rollins.
Judge of my purprise. This plain, un-
assuming wOman-Miss Rollins! I
could not believe my eyes-but she
smiled, and then her countenance was
illumated. She spoke, and her voice
was music. For an hour 1 listened, al
most entranced and when our visitor
had gone confessed myself another
devotee at her shrine"
"But after all she was attractive-she
did have her charms" began my young
friend. II haven't finished, Miss I'm
petuosity," answered. II learned af-
forwards that when Miss Rollins was
in her girlhood she spent so much time
fretting over her plain looks that she
really made herself very unattractive
and unlovely; but it was her good for
tune to meet with one who urged her
to self-forgetfulness and a desire to
please and help others, and she soon
learned that kind, thoughtful act, a
sympathetic word and pleasant smile,
went farther than mere beauty ofcoun-
tenance."
"But she couldn't change her voice.
still argued the girl. "Indeed she could,
Miss Incredulous," I replied. "a voice
trained only to articulate the gentlest
and kindest Of words unconsciously
grows soft and musical in tone. Don't
you suppose that if Miss Rollins had
kept on grieving and grumbling be-
cause of the plainness of her features
she would soon have cultivated fret
full and whining tone? And if gloomy
and peevish thoughts had been allow
ed.to rankle in her heart instead ofthe
smile there would have been
scowls and wrinkles?
"Ah, my dear! true beauty comes
from within if the heart is right; if|
peace, contentment, and love dwell
within it, they will reflect themselves
in the countenance and brighten the
plainest features. So take my advice,
accept the inevitable, ,,give up thinking
about your looks, do good and be good,
and in the end you will be happier and
have more friends than if you had
simply pretty face.