Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1896-08-07
Gift Of Charm.

In one of our most intimate and CEN
fidential talks dear girl asked me to
tell her what l think the most desirable
glft Tor a woman, says Margaret ID.
Sangster in Harper's Round Table. She
spoke of several friends-one of them as
having grace of movement; another,
as rarely beautiful, with brilliant eyes
and lovely complexion; third, as ac-
complished, playing and singing ana
speaking two or three languages beside
her own; and fourth, as very clever.
We may multiply the list and as we look
over our circle of friends we easily see
that nearly every one has something
bright and individual which commends
her to us; but the sum OF the matter Is
that the gift of all gifts for girl Is ex-
pressed In one little word of five letters
charm.
If you insist on my defining charm,
am afraid will disappoint you, for II is
as difncult of analysis as perfume The
better way. IL / could manage It, would
De TO show you somebody who has it, as
l would show you painting on the wall,
or Hover in the garden. Very plain
girls and women are sometimes endowed
with this grace. I remember one who
was not pretty at ALA little dumpy
Drown thing, who had not the art or
dressing very well, and who slipped In
ana OUT OF room as softly and shyly
as mouse, bless her hearth But this
sweet Elizabeth was popular beyond all
the girls of her class; she was constantly
in demand and nothing could be done
without her. 1t was. where Is Eliza
beth? What does Elizabeth say?"
VIII Elizabeth be of the party? If SO.
everything will go delightfully."-" Once
Elizabeth was Ill, and a hush seemed to
fall on the little town, while people, old
ana young, were anxious to know how
she was, and her house was a perfect
bower with the flowers that were left
Tho f.ss
visit everybody was interested, and
when she returned the town had a gala
day There We're any number OF prettier
girls, any number of cleverer girls, in her
set, but none who compared with our
little brown Elizabeth. She had charm.
In her case charm had several elements.
Her voice was low yet clear. She never
made an effect of insisting, as girls with
shrill voices do; her tones were soft ana
distinct. She was gentle, but she was not
overlooked in consequence. She always
knew where to find things. At home her
rather and brothers appealed to her for
the books and papers which were out OF
sight, but which 1t was important to
have on the instant. Elizabeth could ex-
plain away little vexations. She remem-
Dered peoples names and faces-a very
great talent, and one worth everybody's
cultivating. Elizabeth was considerate
and full OF tact / never saw her do a
rude thing, or heard her say anything
unkind.
Then too, Elizabeth knew what was GO
ing on She read the papers, and could
talk intelligently about current events
another admirable plan for all girls to
follow.
| know another girl, Melissa, who has
all Elizabeths charm, and superadded
has great beauty. She carries herself
gracefully, this tall. elegant young wo-
man; her hair, her eyes, her face her
figure express distinction. But when I
aked friend, the other day, what con-
stituted Melissa's greatest claim to adj
miration, he said: We'll, 1t isn't that
she's so pretty; it isn't that she's SO
dainty. l hardly know what ii is She
has style; she has loveliness; 1 think,
most of all, she has what you women
call charm.
A few years ago, in London, an elderly
lady-several years past eighty she was
passed away. A man VINO had known
her for many years said: 1.-The most
charming woman of our time has gone.'
Once this gentleman was a guest at
a country house where the old lady was
expected. Everybody was anticipating
her coming; everybody wanted to meet
her. When she arrived, she came int
the drawing room in black velvet and a
lace cape, with fan in her hand and
a flower in her dress, and at once she
held little court. In her girlhood this
woman had delighted Washington Iry-
ing. In her old age she had poets, artists.
scholars and statesmen in her drawing
room. She had charm.
In little New England village a lady
was living all by herself and every
morning ! saw a pilgrimage of young
people going up through her small gar
den to her door. What is the secret of
Miss Emily's having so much company"
1 inquired. so many of the boys and
girls and the young people have errands
to see her. and she isn't young, or in pub
lie life, or-anything. that l can see."
The principal of the high school answered
my question. Emily Lawrence, madam,
is the most charming woman in Connec-
ticut."