Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1846-11-07
From the Saturday Courier.
T II L FIR HA T
OF TUE SEASONS"
OR, TIE BELLE BRIDE.
by ]. H. T~NGRAHAME

A young and beautiful married woman
was standing before her pier glass. Three
milliner girls beside her own d~ressing-maid,
stood about, attentive, submissive, admir-.
ing. Each Of the fair apprentices had
charge of n b]and.box, which had been sent
from three of the most stylish ~marchaadcs
dcS modes in town. The band-b0xcs were
open upon chairs, two Of them containing
elegant velvet hats; the third box was emp.
ty--the hal, which it had held, at this mo-
ment adjoining the head of the lady. She
had just taken il fresh from its case, and
was now adjusting il md admiring it with
the most accurate and jealous inspection.
II wal u rich imperial blue velvet, of an ex.
quisite shape, and became her face char.
mingly. She evidently thought so herself,
from the smiling appreciation which sbone
in her Countenance.
81 think this is beautiful, Mariana" she
said, turning TO her maid.
at is, ma am! | never saw my thing
become you sol" answered the maid, en-.
Enthusiastically, surveying the bat reflected
from the mirror, with its waving white
plume, which noatod like Il snowy cloud
about her head.
"Do you think so p responded her mis-
tress, with delight.
"Oh, 1t is parfccte-charmante p OK
claimed intensely one of the pretty appren-
tees, with n French accent. III was she
who had been the bearer Of The perfect
hat" and as she spoke she clasped her lit
tie fingers together, and raised her blue
eyes from the hat to Heaven and then upon
the hat, MS if she would worship it.
at looks diyinely, ma'am," reiterated
the maid, emulating the feryor oftbe ANNA.
ted grisette.
Mrs. Howard was charmed at these ex.
pressions Of prai5e' Yet she did not look
quite decided. She surveyed her handsome
features once more beaming from within
the magic bow of the oval front, and then
turned slowly from the fuIl-length marion
to the other band.boxes, which stood temp.
tingly open at her feet.
II will try the one from Madame Gau-
bert's," she said to the young girl in charge
of it. And a sweet drab hat, Of the cost.
lest velvet, shaded by a cherry colored
plume tipped with maroon, and trimmed
with cherry and maroon velvet, was handed
to her by a little black-eyed Miss.
"Ihis is from Madame Gaubert!" observ.
ed Mrs. Howard, as she surveyed it with
eye of taste. at is a beauty! But
drab is SO trying y she added, as she pla-
ced it upon her head and turned to the
to see the effect. Idon't think it is
so becoming as the other, Mariana I"
II hardly think it makes you look so pref
~. ma'am."
"No; drab is a very trying shade 1t
requires a most brilliant cheek to harmo-
nize with i, and to be in keeping too with
the cherry.
''Your complexion, ma'am," said Ma
" is 50 perfect that any thing be-
youl"
'sYou ~latter, girl" answered Mrs. How
ard, laughing. "Bot truly this is too grave.
It is a lovely shape-if any thing, p~rettier
than the otherl Are you sure that NADIA
me Gaubert has net let any other person
see this9'
"1es, Madame, answered the brunette,
impressively. "The hats were first open
an hour ago and you are the only one who
has seen the styIe.-hIadame Gaubert
knows your tasts 30 well, she said she
would send it to you first, and she said you
could not fail to fall in love with the hat"
"she is very kind-but really, drab is
100 gravel"
TT is fashionable ~ pleaded the appren-
81 know it is, but
whatever you wear, ma'am, is fashion.
for every body copies from you,"
said Mariana, with the ~practised adula-
of an accomplished waiting woman.
"Well, / will look at the other"
1t was gently placed upon her hand and