Year: 1872

ease, or wish for another meeting, when chance
threw them near the proud beauty.


The Wrights were the only family really
admitted to close intimacy, for in fact they
were superior in mind and education to all
the others but not one who ever met Mrs.
Elliott could dislike her, whether they were
admitted on a social footing or not
CHAPTER III.


SOME CHARACTERS BY SIGHT, AND SOME BY


.. HEARsAY.


"virtue alone is true bility."-JoNsoN.
"His preaching much, but more his practice,
A living Sermon of the truths he taught"


Grace had liked Ellen Wright from the
first day Of their acquaintance, and the at
tachment had been mutual each succeeding
year deepening their friendship, as they found
how much there was to make them love each
other.


Grace was quiet, observing, cheerful, but
not gay. Ellen was lively, sparkling, witty,
with fund of strong good sense and happy
way of expressing it. Not beautiful, like
Grace, but too good looking to be called
homely, one would declare, after five min
utes' conversation, she was more attractive
than if regularly handsome.


Even Conway owned, "There was something
pleasing about Miss Ellen, but she had her
own set of friends, and needed no new ones. u


Mrs. Elliott found a good neighbor and
sensible woman in Mrs. Wright, and often
took great pleasure in the unaffected compa.
ny of her newly acquired friend, who was so
different from her city guests, and in some
things most agreeably so. .s... ...


With large family, few servants, and one
or two neighbors whom she liked, Mrs. Wright
seldom found time to dress and ride over to
Mrs. Elliott's for ceremonious call-and at
that time she would make no other-and
when she went and found houseful of stran-
gers, who knew much less of her way of life
than she did of theirs who took her in from
head to foot with one cold look, and then ig.
nored her presence or who, in trying to put
her at her ease, discomposed her; she was stiff
and silent, and nothing like the warm, cordial
motherly lady, so pleasant and sensible at
home Though Mrs. Wright met such recep'
ton only once or twice-and then Mira
Elliott was not to blame-she left most of the
visiting to be done by her richer neighbor,
who understanding her feelings, would moi
stand on ceremony, but rode over in her pony
carriage and spent an hour or two every
week.


Sometimes Mr.. Wright would be at the
house, and then the conversation would leave
the subjects so engrossing to mothers and
housekeepers, and branch offinto the fields Of
literature and art, where Mr.. Wright was full
ly as much at home as Mrs. Elliott, saving
that she had travelled and seen most, while he
had read and thought most.


Mrs. Elliott had appreciated Mr. Wright
long before her husband had found out there
was anything at all in the man.


Ellen soon learned to make her visits to
Grace, with perfect freedom. She was un.
awed by the airs, manners, dress or stiffness
of some, and not fattered by their condescen-
sion. She could assume as much reserve and
coldness as any one; and it was only when
met in a free and cordial way, that she was
companionable. Regard and attentions had
to he given with ease and warmth to be &C.
cepted..


: Many time she amused her mother by
accounts Of what she had seen and heard
never maliciously, but often mischievously
caricaturing those who thought themselves too
grand to notice one in the golden mean" Of
life. ..,.


81 like to see them," she would say, laugh
ing, "and I'm going there as long as Mrs.
Elliott and Grace make me welcome. Ilearn
something about high life and grand people,
not to be found any where else in this neigh
borhood and I find as I expected, that ladies,
real ladies, are the least set, formal and grand,
yet the most refined. They have no need of
airs, show, and pretence; they are born to
the purple 1 want to grow easy, graceful,
polished and refined. Who knows but some
day I may be rich, or more wonderful still,
marry man with blue blood in his veins" !"


And the merry sprite would spin around
singing, or cut some little caper, which would
make her mother smile; and then would cry
in mock distress, 20, I know I shall need
kitchen accomplishments more than parlor
grace; for father won't let me marry any man
unless he's poor; poor enough. to have some
spur to bring out bis energies. All the rich
young men I've seen seem undeveloped-
there's something lacking in them. They are
too soft, eAeminate, or lazy. can hardly
tell what they need, but they are not like
father"


"It is not often you find man like your
father, and you must not judge those raised
in the lap Of luxury by him; nor must you
expect them to appreciate him. They do not
wish for energy, activity and the strong look
seen in your father; they cultivate that list
less way of looking and moving, called repose
of manner, till it runs into laziness."


81 should think the stirring events Of the
last four years would have taken it all out of
them. I'm sure brother Charles was superior
to any of the young men I've ever seen at Mr..
Elliott's; and he was all life and enthusiasm
and Tom is just as good and there isn't
lazy bone in him.


"Your brothers were like their father, and
then they have not had soft places, like all
those rich mems sons. I don't know one who
is not in some fat Office, on the staff of some
general, or home in some government business
but don't blame them since poor Charley
was killed. I'd put Tom in some safe, easy
place if I could" and tear was wiped from
The mothers eye.


"Well, mother, I wish Tom was in safe
but don't care about the easy one,
for he has so much restless energy in him, he
might fall into bad habits. There! you see I
am more thoughtful Of his morals than you
we're. l don't believe you knew had any
forethought, did youT -.~"


20, I give you credit for many good quail
lies, and hope you will gain many more. Can't
you put down your sewing and make q pud-
ding for dinner2 We haven't had batter
budding in q long time"