The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-06-08
Scandal and Dress. Making.


gresscd in her task of making "auld claiths look
aInals' as wecl as new" IL was considered un
pardonablc extravaganza in Rivertown. to hire a
sempstFess, for plain sewing; and three taioress
es fonr uressmakers, and one widow lady, who
was mandy at everything. circulated at intervals
among the better class of families, their seman.
nual VISITS being regarded as quite delightful by
the mistress Of the house, for gossip, was then
the order of the day. Miss Martin was univer.
sal favorlte in the lIarnen and Smith clique, for
size also sewed for the Jacksons the Barnard= the
Allers, people Of whom they SAW very little ex.
cept IN the street or at church Miss Martin
could tell you all about Miss Barnards n. York
lover; she thoroughly understood the domestic
economy of the Mlleirs, and did not hesitate 10
say that Mrs. jackson had her own way com.
| p!etely, and as for her husband, it was too bad
Tor man like him to have put up with every.
| thing as he did
This particular morning the conversation tur.
Irnd upon Mrs. Jorden and as Miss Martin had
been employed for day or two previous, there
was much to be SAID, and variety Of questions
asked. ltwas at length settled by Miss Martins
testimony, that the back paror curtains were
worsted damask instead of silk that Mrs Jorden
always wore cap at breakfast, and never came
to dinner IN her morning dress-("such airs" ex
claimed Mrs Smith, that Mr. Jorden often passed
whole evenings out Of the house--and here Miss
Martin became quite mysterious, and could not
be prevailed upon to give any information with
regard TO the employment of said evenings.
He hnint joined the Odd Fellows r said Mrs
smith, throwing up both hands
NO was the concise reply.
You don't say he goes to that shocking ten pin
alley"
"Not that | ever heard" vouchsafed Miss Mar
TN; and then urged by her listener, she at length
disclosed that she believeved quite too much of
his time was passed at Mary Butlers.
"Of all things !" exclaimed Mrs Smith, rocking
back energetCally upon the kittens tail, who sent
forth plteous yell, as the door opened to ADMIT
Adclnc Mitchell. "Oh Adeline I'm so glad to
see you" was the greeting. What do you think
Miss Martin saysi Mr.. Jorden is absolutely halt
his time at Mary Buffers.
"lerhaps not quite half" mildly interposed the
informant; "and if youl never tell-but no. I've
no right to tell such things and Miss Martin in.
dustrousy waxcd needleiuI of silk
"Ah, come. go on. we'll never mention il, you
may depend said Adeline Mitchell, with breath.
less eagerness
Positively r.
"Never-thatis, only to Harriet Harden you'll
let me tell her, won't you but it sha'nt 90 step
further
We'll, ,ben-but guess I'd better not, after
ALL"
"Oh, do now"
I've seen him give her letters, and she'd blush
terribly, and hide them in her pocket as quick rs
thought. Then he always calls her Mary, which
!. quite too familiar to suit me, and than all
Mrs Jordens found it out"
You don't say so"
"What did She dor
ut was only last night. (now if you ever whis.
nor - ILL.,. & = rI II
how happened to hear 1t. | was sewing in the
dining room las she 1cW call it should say sit
ting rooml aud as got the sleeves basted in and
got the hooks and eyes on, thought I'd get her
to try on the waist, so Just stepped to the back
parlor door, but rs got there, stopped min.
ute, for thought heard high words, and the
first heard was-"Gou spend quite too much Of
your time at Mrs. Butler's and won't allow il n.
ny more then he said something could not
quite understand, and she answered "No, I'm not
naturally inclined to be Jealous but | shall put
q stop TO this | assure YOU" Then they talked
lower and so Just walked in quite unconcerned
and there they stood by the fireplace. Just as
opened the door, he tried to put his arm around
her waist to make up, suppose and she pushed
it away-there, like that and Miss Martin, suit.
ing the action to the word, gave Miss Adeline an
ungentlc rcpulse.
h'llt always sill liOIl Tue lI-l lllCfe WIS
no good in their acquaintance Tou remember
whnta time Mrs jackson made year ago about
it T. said Mrs. Smith, appealing to Adclinc Mitch.
ell
Don't thought they did pretend to bc such
good friends afterwards I've always thought
the Jackson5 took her up because she happened
to get little money about that time. To be
sure, she runs there now every day Of her life
bat I'll warrant Mrs Jackson would like to put q
stop to 1t if she could
suddenly, Miss Mitchell rccollected that she
had promised to run in and see Harriet, little
while that morning.
"Oh stay to dinner" said Mrs Smith "and we
can talk it all over. I'm most through in the
kitchen, and then I'm going to cover cord for Miss
Martin I've got nothing in the world to do.
but Miss Adeline was already tying ON her
bonnet
Were going to have pot pie" urged her host.
ess.
And apple.dsmplngs, suggested Miss Martin
whose choice in dessert had just been consulted.
But the love Of gossip prevailed over that Of
apple dumplngs, and Miss Mitchell disappeared
Just us Mrs Smith was summoned to the Kitchen
by the hired girls announcement that 'the crust
Nyng r,"