Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-11-26
BOnnet-Strcet,

"Wherc is hat ?" Well, now it shows how
little you know of New York, to ask where is
Bonnet-st Perhaps you thought all the bon
net stores we're in Broadway, Bowery and
Canal-sL You were never more mistak n !;
those are only the outside posts of the ene-
my. Yes, enemy, we speak it advisedly, en-
emy of mans purse and woman's happiness
If you don't believe it go to Bonnet-st. with g
"hard up" pocket-book in one hand and zone
Of the sex" leaning upon the other; one who
were those outrageous be-tinseled, be-span-
gled, bowed and howered symbols of barbsr-
ism, now "the very hight of fashion," and
hear her sigh for that "love of bonnet" or
this "desr little hat and feathers" or feel the
sharp twlnge your own conscience will give
while paying for a mass of silk velvet satin,
feathers, ribbons, flowers, lace, pasteooarj,
wire, glass beads and tinse etcetera. twisted
twirled, and mixed up together in all sorts Of
queer shapes, atfordng no protection to the
head in rain or shine, for an hour of either
will certainly spoil the thing as it would the
frost spangles Of a May morning.
Ifyour purse is not almost as ong as your
ears. do not 60 to Bonnet-st. Do not tru st
yourselfif you are woman, more particularly
young one, and still more particularly if you
are not: but have one dependant upon your
small salary, even to take walk through
that street, only just to see "the fasions" 1t
is the street OF temptation. Upon one block,
upon one side of the street. six thousand two
hundred and thirty. three bonnels, of all con-
ceivable colors, sizes, shapes, forms. fashions,
figures and prices, except dear ones, gone are
dear, that is in price, though all, are "dear
sweet things" to look at will stare you in the
face from every window, door counter show
case, nook or cornsr, tempting you to step in
and just inquire the price "of that splendid
plum colured satin, trimmed with domestic
fowl's feathers. tipped with bugles. with tire
blond lace and blue bells with silver pistils,
on the inside; Oh; is it not the richest thing
you have seen this season. Is it dear ma'am p
Un no; Lord bless you, we never sold bon
nets so cheap as we do this season; just now
we are almost giving them away. Money is
SO tight in Wall-st aud we must meet our
paper. you know, my husband is in Paris
buying the very best articles and latest fash
ions. will sell you that exceedingly rich
hat for less than it actually cost"
GLOW much 2"
"You shall have it upon my honor for just
what the materials cost. | declare you shall
have it for SIS; that will not afford cent o
profit; nothing for makingj it is great bar
gain upon my word, and will give you a
box and send it home, or you had better pu
it on and | will send your old one home, i
you care to have it; 1t is not Of much conse
ounce"
No, it is not of much consequence, yet i
cost seven dollars less than seven month
ago.
Then the old one was taken off and th'
new one tried on, and the seller said:
IL declare now | have not sold a bonne
this sea son that fitted SO WILL as this one
Look at her, Sir; don't you think it's becom
ing?"
Of course he did: lie was bound TO say 30
she was bis wife. Then she looked appeal
ingly to him. as much as to say, oh now, dt
let me have it, indeed shall never be happy
without it. Then he took hold Of his shor
purse and looked-yes he felt unhappy
| What did they come to Bonnet-st for? I'm
happy street Both are unhappy. The be
neyolent seller of bonnets sees how miserable
she has made two fellow creatures, and he
heart is touched-touched to see the new
bonnet taken off and the old bonnet about Il
be put on.
"Oh don't do that Don't think Of such a
thing, you must have it, would soone
lose a dollar myself. yes two-;here you shal
have it for thirteen. Husband is about to wall
off-w,fe lays hand upon his arm and give
one more look, and says, "Oh, do now rhat's
dear soul"
Husband takes out his portmonnaie ant
hands it to his wife with a look that said al
plain day | wish had not come to Bon
net St." Wife looks over the money. Their
was only $l2. She is disappointed. Sh
looks one more appeal. 1t is answered tn
least bit petulently; IL have not another dol
lar in the world"
The lady at her elbow has counted Sl2
as fast as herself, and says in the blades
tone, 81 think my dear that right. Let mi
see."
She wants to get the money into her hands
She does and counts it over and sghs.
"There is only $l2. and really do no
know how to take that shall lose so much