Year: 1869

Nothing more was said. The two girls wen
down to the assembly. room when the bell rang
and found the people standing in groups, waiting
the appearance of the assistant teacher to lead then
to church.


"Look! will You 2" whispered Miss Gay to th'
Miss next to her, If that girl ism going to church
in that old Calico.


Miss Pleasant fowned, but Clara smiled. She
had conquered her pride that morning on hel
knees; she had resolved not to be made unhappy
by what she could not help.


The assistant entered the same room with rus
tie and trail beftting her station She looked
the young ladies over with a sweeping glance, ane
ordered Miss Clara Clinton to her room


Miss Pleasant whispered word in that lady!
ear; Miss Clara was recalled, and the procession
fell into hne. 1t was very vexatious that all the
gentlemen these young ladies passed, seemed II
look only at the calico dress. It looked so very
odd to see young lady going to church in print
From the dress they looked into the face; such {
pretty face as it was too-so bright, all thinking O
the oddity Of the attire, and wondering who tht
young lady could be.


1t was not long before Claa became known al
the young lady in calico. Old Mr.. Vennet, the
wealthiest and most influential gentleman of thu
town, having had his attention directed to her pc
culiar dress, r,ade the discovery that her fathel
had been dear and intimate friend in college
He was selfmade himself, and be and Judge Gin
ton had walked hand to glove in the thorny wayI
of poverty.


Mr. Vennet at the first opportunity, sent car
riage to bring Miss Clara to dine with his family
and told her many stories of which Judge Clintor
was the hero, and was evidently very proud of hi
pretty daughter.


Afterward, he from time to time sent bouquet!
from his rare exotics and such abundance Of fruit
besides taking her to ride occasionally with hi!
family, that the young ladies of the institute were
almost in state Of envy. Finally, as if to drive
the young ladies to distraction, the Vennets gave
party to which the most influential and wealth.
est families of the county alone were invited Ever
the principal Of the institute was overlooked.


To this reception Miss Clara was borne in hel
calico dress by liveried servants. Old Mr.. Lingarc
was so proud of her pluck, and so delighted she
did not appear in tulle and silks, that he devoted
himself to her much of the evening, introducing
her to his friends with many fattering expressions
of admiration. She was finally taken to supper by
young Mr. Vennet, who evidently thought more
of cheerful, sensible conversation, than Of all the
satins, hces, pearls, and diamonds in the drawing
room.


As might be expected, Miss Clinton from that
evening was quite BELLE No one could slight a
young lady to whom the Vennets had been so at
tentive. Besides, there was something quite novel
in having q beautiful young creature from the
country who had rich father, and wore calico be,
cause she was not poor! The young ladies petted
her because they had nothing to be jealous of; the
old ladies patronized her as an example for their
daughters; the young men respected her for her
pretty ways, independence of character, and ready
wit; and the old men put their thumbs into the
arms of their vests, and gravely announced that
'she was quite an original and exemplary young
lady, and they wished there were more like her. u
Indeed, the only trouble was that Judge Clinton
calico dresses didn't prove his daughters ruin.


The long school session was to close with pub
lie examination, upon which occasion all the young
ladies were required to wear white, with satin
sashes, and rosette upon the left shoulder. The
principal had an eye to effect, and she would ad'
NIT nothing that disturbed harmony.


Miss Cinton's calico gown was vetoed at once.
1T would do very we'll, perhaps, for Mr.. Vennet's
party, but it was not proper for an examination! u
So Judge Clinton received very polite note from
that formidable lady, requesting him in frigid and
unmistakable terms ito allow his daughter white
null"


Ifthe principal had designed to make Judge
Clinton the happiest of men, which she didn't
and to render it forever out of Miss Claras powe,
to wear white null, she could not more effectualy
have accomplished her purpose than in writing
him this note


Judge Clinton, Of Clintonville; declared that he
was not to be dictated to by any woman-not he
and precisely because it would oblige her to have
Clara dressed in white, it would disoblige him to
do so. His rather impoite reply was ''He sent
his daughter to school to study books not dress.
If she wanted his daughter to wear white, she was
at liberty to provide that garment for her. For
his part, he did not know what right teachers had
to decide what color or goods their pupils should
wear. Ifshe was not willing his daughter should
appear in print, she was at liberty to say so, and
he would remove her at once from the school.


The principal, as may be supposed, was as in
dignant as a principal could well be. But what
would the Vennets say, and the wealthy persons
whom they would influence, if Miss Clara was ban
ished for wearing a dress they had condescended
to honor?


Besides, Clara was the best writer, the best
singer, the best dialogue maker Of the whole school,
She was necessary to the brlliancy of the anniver
sary.


The principal decided to adopt the judges sug-
gestion, and provide the outfit at her own expense
But no sooner was this decided upon, than the
Judge wrote by express, protesting that bis daugh
ter should not ,oear achite at all, and that he was
coming in person to see that she didn't violate his
command.


The result of it was, the Judge carried his point
and Clara was the odd bird in the whole flock Of
white pigeons.


Among all the queens of the Swiss and null,
the rustic belle was the observed Of all observers
She was really the handsomest, merriest and most
sparkling creature in the room.


And what was sadly provoking to the principal,
there sat Judge Clinton, in his suit Of homespun,
by the side of Mr.. Vennet, upon the platform,
availing himself of every opportunity to tell the
whole story connected with the calico garment,
and turning the confused teacher to ridicule.


At last it came to the distribution of prizes and
that for exemplary conduct and correct recitatons
was awarded to Miss Clara Clinton.


I,,ano Clinton did NOT make q Sneech ON that