Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-09-24

sympathising conclave OF waiting mIilhers, mar"
veled at my long delay.
s"The articles must be purchased that very
day. raining as it was, and moreover, must go
alone; for Bell and Kate had gone to bed with
hair in curl-papers and novels under their pill
lows. Towards noon the rain abated, and no.
tilted my friends of my determination to 60 to
A.. The young ladies started with aston
ishment :,
Bell, but not to-day. Why you're crazy-look
at the clouds-you'll take dreadful cold-don't
get satin striped tissue; it trays shockingly.'
" dressed, walked to the station, but a few
rods distant. and found myself half an hour too
early. Very soon the clouds lowered, and the
rain fell in cataracts. Nevertheless, l stubborn
" adhered to my determination, the more stub
bornly that knew the girls would ridicule me
without mercy if I returned. But L looked at
my dress, and thought of my bonnet; and was
thankful that the old brown veil found crum-
pled in my pocket would protect the latter. My
mantilla was of watered silk, handsomely trim
med, and | remembered a lady told me that wa
ter would SPOT it. How foolish I had been to
wear it. ~
sWell, Eunice, what do you suppose did? |
turned it wrong side outward 1t was lined
with the usual black muslin, from which the
gloss had disappeared in spots. was the only
occupant of the Ladies' Saloon, and enjoyed the
full benefit of an eight-by-ten looking glass. L
glanced in it. and seeing what ludicrous ngure
nv old veil and rusty outer garments made IN
contrast with my fine cashmere travelling dress,
with its richly trimmed basque, the idea OF 60
ing to the city thoroughly disguised, at once pre-
sented ITSELF The skirt of my dress was sepa-
rate from the body, and had lined it for COM
fort in winter with an old gingham dress clean
and whole, but must confess sadly faded
Well. turned this wrong side outward also.
"sYou don't mean that you went to the city
in that style said Eunice.
81 did, and enjoyed it, too, convinced that L
was doing a sensible thing. But you shall hear.
Scarcely was my old toilette completed, when
the whistle sounded, and drawing the thick veil
tightly over my face, | made my way to the
nearest car. And now commenced the devel-
opment. The handsome and gentlemanly con-
ductor nearly knocked me over in the doorway,
in his willingness to pioneer lady in blue SILK
with four f10unces, a satchel, a hat-box, para
sol, and ap-dog, safely out upon the platform.
Returning, while stood gazing vacanty at the
rows of hats and boots before Inc, none OF which
moved to relnquish seat in my behalf, the
model conductor pointed to an uncomfortable
corner seat. between black woman with ba-
by. and white woman with two babies. OF
course, accepted it, and the cunning pranks of
the little African made my hard seat endurable.
"Well, reached the city and made my way
to Weaver's fashionable store. The skies were
weeping briskly, and, carrying blue cotton UNI
brela, probably did not call up golden visions to
the eyes of the young gentlemen clerks who
lounged upon the counter, or sat with feet eleVa-
ted at alarmingly acute angles, as | entered
When inquired for silks, tissues, grenadines,
and fine summer goods, there was one undivided
stare.
st would take too much time to tell how some
strainer silks, and half cotton berages were hrst
produced, and how eventually convinced them
that understood their proper quality. Suthce
it to say, purchased nothing there, though
tempting articles were finally displayed before
me, but suited myself at less pretentl9us estao-
| lishments. =,
"Next, to Mrs Lasalle's l went, whose anath-
emas upon me for detecting the cotton laces pre-
sented me for linen, will not repeat, but must
saw thew were delivered in very uncountess-hKe
rage, though in excellent French.
81 did not try the shoe store that day, but IN
passing DR.. RS office, something prompted me
| TO enter. I had been amused, and not the least
disappointed by my afternoons experiences, but
now little anxiety mingled with much curiosl-
ty. 1 bethought me of nervous tooth.ache
that had robbed me of sleep for aportion OF sew
eral nights, and which had sedulously conceal
ed from the family, chiefly because Aunt Lucy's
infallible remedy in such cases was whiskey and
ginger. boiling hot, remedy to me Infinitely
worse than the disease Perhaps DR.. 4. could
name something less Objectionable.
sI rang gently, and was admitted. The Doc
TOR who was talking and smoking with dash
;no @ Young man, glanced at my dress as l enter
ed and without farther notice, went on with
the conversation Finally, instituted slight
conob. and he turned toward me with:
"}Well. old lady, what's the matter with your
81 INQUIRED in suffering voice, the best cure
for an aching tooth. ;.
atCrooked Iron, marin, applied cold, is the best
thing. and animal magnetism is next best. Ever
try Il, hey2 And the man of science winked
and erinned at his companion who in turn eject
cd q ouid of tobacco from his mouth, quite near
nv poor gngham skirt, and laughed immode-
rateiy. In two seconds was in the street, and
on nv way to the Depot, questioning within
myself whether there are such qualities yet re,
naming in our world, as an6ought honesty ana
kindness My doubts were to be removed
The train stood at the Depot as came in sight,
and hurried my steps lest it should depart
without me-
1T managed to gain seat, but had no time to
purchase q ticket, and when the conductor CAME
I felt for nv port monaie to pay the necessary
fare II was gone. An exploration OF my pock-
et to its lowest depths availed nothing, ana
was in dilemma. explained the mat1er 70
him. assuring him should leave the tram az tne
next station, and would there borrow tne a.
mount. He left me, muttering his suspicious
that the story was lie, and went his roun9s.
"And now was at o. station, anu Tue
sun. though low in the west, was shining orlgns-
". l went directly to the ladies room, ana IN
Eve minutes emerged therefrom well-dressed
ksdy, with an uncovered bonnet OF the latest
.imnortation.' As the conductor crossed the
platform to give moving orders, l stepped up
and rendered my fare, saying my purse had been
fonnd and returned to me. You have a vivid
imagination Eunice picture the countenarce Oh
that gentleman.
"sDid you relate your adventures to the young
lades9' said Eunice.
"No, indeed When tho goods came, they
were delighted with them, affirming that this
silk came from Weaver's; no other merchant had
ANYTHING like it; and this lace from Mrs. La
saile's, they remembered seeing it there!
kept my own COUNSEL and now Eunice what DO
you think of it all2'
"I think the aoisdomy you purchased was cheap
enough at all events. Yet there is one other
place to which wish you had gone
'And where is that2
".To church, said Eunicel
TRICKS OF MIsERs.-Daniel Dancer the eel
ebrated English miser, when he had $4,000 a
wear. used to beg pinch Of snuff from all his
friends, and when his box was full, bartered its
contents for tallow candle. But his parsi-
monious ingenuity appears contomptiblei in com
psrson with that of the Russian miser, who
learned to bark that he might avoid the expense