The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-04-01
: h L LECTED TALES.
FOLLOWING THE FASHIONS,
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

pIlHt iTOn tne cSntre-taDle.
"A fashion-plate," was the quiet reply.
"A fashion platel What in the name
of wonder are you doing with fashion
plate!"
ITO see what the fashions are"
And what then r.
"To follow them, of course"
Mary, is it possible you are so weak 2
| thought better of my sister,
Explain yourself Mr.. Censor" replied
Mary, with an arch look, and q manner
perfectly selfpossessed.
"There is nothing l dcspise 80 much as
heartless woman Of fashion,"
"Such an individual is, certainly not
much to be admired, Henry. But there
is vast difference, you must recollect, be-
tween n lady who regards the prevailing
mode Of dress, and hearfless woman, be
she attircd in the latest style, or in the
costume Of the times of good queen Bess.
a fashiOnably dressed woman need not,
Of necessity, be heartless.'
90 no, of course not nor did mean tn
say so. But it is very certain, to my mind
that any one who follows the fashions can
not be very sound in the head. And
where there is not much head, it seems e..
me there is not n superabundancc ofheart." :"
Quite philosophers
"fou needn't try to beat me off by rid
iculc. Mary. am in earnest"
what about?"
In condemning this blind slavery to
a hion."
"You follow the fashions"
"No, Mary, do not"
"Y,'ur looks very much belle you,
them"
"Maryw
Nonsense Don't look 80 grave
What l say is true. You follow the .ash-
ions rs much as do"
Il am sure | never examined plate of
fashions in my life"
"If you have not, your tailor has for
you, many n time"
II don't believe q word Of it. ! don't
have my clothes cut in the height of the
fashion. They arc made plain snd eomfor-
table. There is nothing about them that
is put on me ely because it Is fashionable" :"
g beg your pardon, sir"
at is q fact"
"Why do you have your lappels made
to roll three button-holes instead Of two.
There's fathers old coat, made, don't
know when, that rolls but two"
because, suppose it's the fash"
I" All. exactly Didn't l get you there
nicely Z"
"No, hut Mary, that's the tailor's busi-
ness, not mine"
"N course. you trust to him to make
your clothes according TO the fashion,
while I choose to sec if the fashions are
just such aS suit my stature, shape
and complexion, that I may adopt them
fully, or deviate from them, in q Just and
rational manner. So there is this differ
ence between us you follow the fashions
blndly. and l with judgment and discrim-
nation ~
Indeed, Mary, you are too bad"
ADO I speak anything but the truth 2"
" l should be very sorry, indeed, if your
deductions were true about my following
the fashions so blindly, il indeed at all"
But don't you follow thcmi n
II never think about them"
"If you don't, somehow OF other, you
manage to be always about even with the
prevailing modes. don't zee any differ
cnce between your dress and that Of any
other young men,"
~ don't care fig for the fashions, Ma
rym rejoined Henry, speaking with some
warmth.
$50 you say"
And so | mean"
"Then why do you wear fashionable
clothes!"
~ don't wear fi,shiona ble clothcs-that
ISL"
"You have figured silk or cut velvet
buttons on your coat, believe. Let me
sect Yes. Now, lasting buttons are
more durable, and remember very well
when you wore them. But they are out
of fashion! And here is your collar turn
ed down over your black satin stock,
(where, by the by, have all the white era
vats gone, that were few years ago 10
fashionable :! as smooth as q puritan's -
Don't you remember how much trouble you
used to have; sometimes, TO get your col
lar to stand up just sol All, brother, you
arc IN incorigible follower Of the fash
ions ~
But Mary, it is great deal leas trou-
bic to turn the collar over the stock"
a know Il is now that it Is fashionable
to do 40"
at is, though, in fact' $685..
Really I"
YES, really"
"But when II was fashionable to have
the collar standing, you were very willing
to take the trouble"
"You would not have me effect singu-
laritv, sister,
"Mel No, indeed I would have you
continue to follow the fashions rs you are
now DOM. would have you dress like
other people. And there Is one other
thing that I would like to see in you."
aWhat IA that r. -.