The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-08-08

Sne Salu, laugnlng.
"But yow are not obliged to economical"
and the speaker glanced at the rich velvet,
costly furs, and the "lovely hat" in which
Mrs. t was arrayed
"Mel oh can't do it; and if could,
where would be the use of worrying and
Shaving myself to save little here, and a
little there? What would it all amount
to, in the end? A few hundred dollars,
which, if my husband is going to fail,
could not prevent him, and which may
as well enjoy while l canl My sister-in-
law says that if her husband becomes in
volved, it shall not be through any ex-
travagance of hers; and that she is re-
solved to make no unnecessary purchases
this winter. l represented to her that
with all her efforts, she could not save
more than trihe, and that she had better
give up the struggle, and take things as
they come; but her earnest answer was
No, Elizabeth, although the sum may be
ever so triAing, am resolved to exercise
self-deniai, in order that l may have the
satisfaction of feeling that 1 have done
what could!' 1t has really become quite
mania with her, and Sallie is just like
her mother Whenever tell her of any
thing she needs, her reply invariably is
Il can do without it at present, for we wish
to economize,' or, I'VE are trying to re-
trench'"
"What pity! She is such a fne-look-
ing girl, when well-dressed!''
81 know it; and am SO glad yon al
luded to her dress, for I mean to tell her
it has been remarked upon, and shall do
my best to prevent her pretty face being
seen again under that old bonnet''
| The ladies who carried on the above
conversation, had listener, of whom
they little dreamed Mr.. R., veal
thy and elegant gentleman, who had spent
several years in Europe, and had lately
returned home, with nothing to do but to
seek enjoyment and wife, lay on sofa
in the adjoining parlor trying to read, but
unconsciously taking in all that the ladies
said
$50 Miss tt would be afraid of
losing caste, if she wore as old bonnet
as her cousins, would she?" he repeated
to himself, sneeringly. "How finely her
position in society must be established, if
so slight thing as straw hat could hurl
her from her place! When will our women
have that noble Independence which should
be their birthright?" and as the voices
died away, he lay musing for some time
upon the old straw bonnet, and its wearer.
Despite the eloquent way in which Mrs.
T reported to her niece the remarks
that had been made upon her old bonnet,
Sallie's pretty face was still seen under it
at church, and on the street.
!" You foolish child" the aunt persisted
awhat are ten or fifteen dollars to your
father, in his business, when he has thous-
ands of dollars to pay out almost every
day?"
q" Very little, I know; but then the con-
sciousness that am trying to tighten his
cares, is a great deal to me; and mother
says that the feeling of independence,
which we call forth by our self-denial will
be of lasting benefit to me-"
Z" Pshaw! you don't know the disadvan-
tage it may prove to you! Just at an age
when the appearance you make will have
a great influence on your future destiny,
it is all-important that you should look as
4 well as possible; and what girl can appear
well in an old bonnet?"
"Mother, just think of it." exclaimed
Julia T, a few days after, "Sallie fan
cies she can go to that party in the white
draoc- tbot ch<, hos ,r,or,, T Jon,+ lrox,, bo NJ,
many times!'' -.
"You don't mean to say that she has
not a new dress for this occasion?"
i $50 she says" 81
"Wel, then, she had better stay al
home, that's ALP
psSoiI told her, myself wouldn't &C
into society in an old dress, if never
went at all, for | should not expect to re
,, |, ceive the least attention! But let me tel
you the funniest thing you ever heard
!, !, Nal" continued the young lady, laughing
|, |, immoderately, as if she had just recalled
something excessively ludicrous. Ssh
thinks she can't even afford new pair o
: gloves for the party, and so what do yol
: suppose she has done? Taken soap an,
smflk and cleaned the pair she wore t.
: Mrs. C's; laughed ready to xii
: : myself, when she showed them to me wit
: ! the assurance that they were sjust as goo
= as new!'"
7 Chow did they look?" s.
!, = "I couldn't see for laughing; and jus
: ). think, mother, they have dismissed tn
= seamstress, and Sallie is going to do th
? family-sewing, until times are easier, sh
: says!'
: eWhy, is there anything especial
= wrong in her fathers affairs?"
Il "Oh, no; only the oldsstory Of, he
,, embarrassed, and / wish to dowhatI can!'
,fl 1t is said ''stone walls have ears"
y not know how true it is. but somehow q
other, Mr. b overheard this CONVEX
lsation, as distinctly as he had the on
o about the old bonnet ss -.
e., One word respecting that gentlemar
Young ladies said he was about thirt,
n certain spinsters had affirmed that he ws
Gall sof thirtv-6ua xubilo ha loupb;n ol