The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-08-25
From Godey's Ladys Book.
CHARITY ENVIETH NOT,
pY ALICE n. NEAL.

|
CHARITY ENvIETH NOT.
by ALICE n. NEAL. -
"You don't say so!D % p
True as the Gospel, Miss Smelling. Tha
velvet cloak Of hers-she calls il Talma-
cost every cent Of oftwenty.tive dollars. Then
there's her bonnet, that came from New York
too; Miss Dunn's work ain't good enough
for her. Well, that bonnet could rot be
bought for less'n eight dollars Why the
ribbon must be four and six yard, not to
speak of the feathers. Tnen there's that new
plaid silk, you know, and that French me.i.
no,neithcr Of cm lessn't twelve shillings ,and
that tile way she dresses. Time was when
she was glad enough to get me To sew for her.
I've had her beg aud beg, ard beseech me to
give her day, or even half day, in my
spring hurry, and now she's got Il seaiustress
as she calls that siuck.up girl that sets in The
settln room all day. She makes the chill
dren's clothes, and her'n are cut in New York
when they ain't made there.
"She's dreadful extravagant for church
member" said Mrs Smelling, with u sigh, as
she turned herself slowly round before the
little looking-glass She was having lin.
ing ftcd by the village drcs,maker, Miss
4 Prime, and merno dress she had worn two
yeats was partly ripped up on the char by
the window. Ii was the only dress.making
she had on hand for the season. 1t was u hard
winter, and, what with the sickness of the
children, and Mr.. Smelling losing SO much
| time by The frost their means were unusually
/ limited No wonder she thought oflhe ease
and plenty Of the rich manufacturer house
hold with feeling of envy. She did not
\ know it though She was plain, good.hear-
ted person naturally srugslingo on to do her
duty through the encouragement of ILL.,
health aiing children, and very narrow
means, but she could not help thinking Mrs
/ Hubbard was getting worldly and exlrava
gunt, as, year by year, her household ar
rangements and personal expenses incrcas.
ed
Only the day before at meeting she could
not fix her attention upon the sermon for
looking mt the velvet Talma worn by her old
| friend and still kind neighbor, Mrs. Hub
bard They were members Of the same
church of which Mr.. Hubbard was the most
liberal supporter. He gave according TO his
means, and ut the saDo time, desired his
wife and family To dress and live rs became
his altered position and prospects.
Time was when she had to work hare
enough," continued Miss Prime, pinching II
side seam in the endeavOr to produce the
hour.s glass shape, orthodox when she " learn
ed her trade" g" remember when they
first set up housekeeping, and she had to d,
her own work, as well us other people, and
her own sewing too. Now, don't believe
she takes u needle in her hand from morn
ing ill night, while you and ], Miss Smell.
ing, don't gel many spells.
The eaven observation-disclosures, worked on
in Mrs. Snelling's heart.
Z" Pm afraid there isn't much spiritual
growth, Miss Prime. The cares Of this
world choke The seed" Poor woman she
thought it was an interest in her neighbor's
best good, that prompted such constant re-
view Of her conduct. People who have
their hearts set on dress and high living
can't have much time for better things.
{" That's wha. think. How do you like
them bask waists, Miss Smelling! l heard
they're all the fashion in New York. Miss
Dunn said she'd try and get inc pattern
when she went down in the spring | would
not ask Miss Hubbard to lend mo hers 10
look at for nothing in the world. How am
going to get out new backs, Miss Smell.
ing'"
"Wby, SO there is was studyin' and
conlryn' all The while you was to breakfast.
Saws I,,Nliss SnelIingll have them backs
picced, and then everybody in town'll know
it's being made over
As if everybody in Miss Snclling's CON-
munity would no. have known and noticed
under any circumstances, that her brown
merino Of two winters ago, had been turned
and made up again for her best dress. She
had set her heart early in the fall, on new
style of pluids. Tor sale ut brown & Chapin's
but the doctor bill was so much larger than
she expected, she VAS obliged to give it up
The sacrifice had cost her many hours oI
calculation, alternate resolves and considera'
lions. Every purchase that she made, in
deed, was of necessity, turned over aud over
in her mind for weeks.
Miss Prime went on with her fitting by the
window, auo Miss Smelling with beI task o
washing up the breakfast dishes, Jogging
the cradle" with one foot, every now and
then, as her youngest child stirred in his
morning nap. !.
"That was lucky thought, that CAPE
Miss Prime resumed her lhimble and con
yorsation together. at don't seem to be
worn as much as the rest, neither"
No. it isn't, only kept it for cold days
I thought of it in church Sunday, right IL
the middle Of the sermon. Queer, WASH
lit,-Iwas so drcadfully afraid you couldn' !
get it out. So, as soon as l got home,
took il out and looked at it, and sure enough
il was the very thing 4,
81 sec Miss James has got new cloak
this winter. She hain't worn hers more
than three winters. to my knowledge. Well
these rich people are jist a, worldly for oil
sec. as if they wasn't professors"
Miss Prime was one Of the most constant
attendants of the church prayer meetings
and saw "no beam 10 her own eyes,"
.Timc was, as you say, Miss Prime, wher
we were all pialn people together, with goot
feelings towards each other. think Of i
ofien - tho DAYS when Susan Hubbard an,
| used to send our little presents to eacl
other New Years, and be neighborly al
along. That was before the Jameses movec
here, or Lawyer Martins people. She's $,
intimate with them now, she hasn't got an,
, time for old fiiends. Many and many's th,
time I've sent her things righ, of my table
and when her Jane had the scarlet fever,
sat pp with her night afer night. But
don't mind that. What ! look at is Chris
tian professors being so takenup with dress
going about, and particularly dress. j