Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-02-06
AMERICAN ORGAN.
One More Dress.
BY OLIVER OPTIC.
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER IL
James Bradley and John Farmer were clerks in
a large house in the CITY, and both resided In neat
little cottages in the suburbs Their fortunes had
been thus far very much the same and perhaps
they might have continued the same through life,
but for the different character Of their wives
Mrs. Bradley had been brought up TO live
within her means. A careful mother, who realized
the responsibility Of her position, had trained her
up to habits of prudence and thrift And all these
practical qualities she had brought with her into
her domestic relations, when she embarked In a
new sphere of life.
Mrs. Farmer on the other hand, though her
parents were no better off in the world had brought
her up 10 be lady--to fine dresses, and play
the piano in the parlor Her knowledge anc erpe-
riencc of household duties were very narrow and
superficial and her husbands thousand dollars n
year would hardly support them They were
Obliged in order to dress her as her habits and
wishes required, to scrimp in many of the real
comforts of life. The provision bill was kept to
the lowest possible figure. Mrs. Farmer thought
beef-steak was unhealthy in the morning, and John
found it necessary TO be OF her opinion. Six dol
lars season for ice would buy her new bonnet |;
henceice was the cause of great many complaints
that prevailed in summer.
The comforts Of living were sacrificed to the
luxuries Of dress. Beefsteak at twenty cents n
pound was unhealthy; but new bonnets ut ten
dollars apiece were necessaries of life. Mutton
chops at fifteen cents pound causes the dyspep-
sia but silk dresses at dollar and half a yard
were not only healthy, but indispensable to the
happiness of the lady
All the salary was spent-was intended TO be
spent-and the only question was, whether it should
be put IN the body or on the body. The habit of
extravaganza there, and all the thrift and econ
omy which Mrs. Farmer knew, was to save money
for new dresses #Em
Gha Yvnr IN infin ia TORN,
with each other and, as may be readily supposed,
the subject of dress was frequently discussed.
few days after the conversation of Mrs Brad
ley with her mother, her neighbor was making a
call Mrs. Farmer could talk of nothing but dress.
1t was the study of her life-what she lived for
what she most hoped for in the future. AS usual,
the conversation Immediately degencrated into
dress--it was all Mrs. Farmer knew.
How do you like my new raw silk ~ asked she
after several adroit passes in order to introduce
this matter. sa
at is very pretty indeed You come out in o
new dress almost every Sunday" replied Mr.. Brad
ley.
al wonder how many nice dresses you have in
your wardrobeY"
have only one that is fit TO wear" replied
Mrs. Farmer, indifferently
"0nly onem
:" That is fit to wear anywhere" A
You have at least three silks"
All old tashloned-made last fall--and oil out
of date. | tried to make John give me new ba-
rege, he would not"
81 am sure if i had your dresses, should think
/ were Princess"
''Psbaw! if my husband don't give me another
next week / shan't go to church but once a
month |"
eff had your dresses Ellen, should not think
of another for a year, at least"
Why don't you dress better, Sarah ?" ..r
u ~ ia,
'Pooh |"
"My mother thinks dress well enough"
"Why you have worn the same dress to meeting
every Sunday for a year J" z
And probably shall wear it every Sunday for
the next year"
II wouldn't If were you" t..a @
g / can't afford to have dress every month
was speaking the other day about having one more
dress, but mother said so much against it, that
gave up the idea"
g Tied to your mothers. apron strings yet!n
sneered Mrs. Farmer. aa
81 am too thankful for my mothers advice to
reject it,"
But get the raw silk do twill become you
so we'll |; and then we shall have a little respite
from that everlasting fawn colorl /"
No, have made up my mind not to have it. :
Put the money in your stomachs instead and
get the dyspepsia into the bargain" said Mrs
Farmer, rs she took her leave