True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-01-28

it. However, she rallied Immediately,
and handed the missive 10 me. glanced
over it.
" Whew I" said l. b" Twenty. five
shilings for making dress that only cost
thirty Surely, Mary Ann, there must
be some mistake here!"
"Oh! no, my DEAR" she said, briskly.
"My brocade, you know, COST Two pounds
TO make and trim and this is fifteen
Shillings cheaper"
But this dress cost only thirty shill-
ings," said |.
!" The cost of the dress, my DEAR"
she replied, smiling beneyolenlly at my
ignorance, Il has very little to do with
the cos! Of making and trimming it."
The dickens it hasn't!' | began.
Hush J" said my wife, playfulIy put
ting her hand over my mouth. "SmlIhy
dear, you mustn't swear" and taking
the bill she commenced going over it,
item by item.
Here" she said, -" is the charge for
making The dress, that is for fitting and
sewing it together, eight shillings. "Now
I'm sure" she continued appealngIy,
that's reasonable; for it takes just as
long, you know, to fit and sew together a
cheap dress as costly one it's the
time that has to be paid for. Don't you
sec, my dear :"
was forced to nod assent 10 the fair
logician, though it was with an internal
groan.
Then here's the Innings, buttons and
other small items, five shillngs, which is
very low. Consider how these matters
count up. Besides it takes time to 60
about among the shops, matching the but.
tons to the dress
| could not gainsay this either, but
} said to myself that there were twelve
shilings still unaccounled for, and tha, il
wonld "puzzIe Philadelphia lawyer >
10 reconcile this sum TO any rational be-
} ing's notions of econofRy.-
"There's twelve shillings left" re-
sumed Mrs. Jones, (Which is for the
Valenciennes-"
"The what?" exclaimed.
"The Valenciennes. with which the
, cape and sleeves are trimmed"
"Oh! that communicating lace !!
} said |.
"Common.l .looking!' cried Mary Ann
5 her eyes sparkling. Then she laughed
comicalIy. "ThaL shows what you mer
know about laces. Why, Smilhy, dear
} it's real Valenciennes, and very cheap
and what's more, | can use it on some
a thing else, after the dress is worn out
"But why pu. real Valenciennes, a
you call it, on so cheap dress :" asked
in toAe of vexation.
L" It's that very VaIenciennes that give!
the dress such a stylish look" said m!
: wife. Everybody knows it's a cheal
material and it's only the trimming tina
redeems it. All that | require is Val
enciennes collar to match it, and | shal
be complete"
| could not speak Tor amazement.
was dumb, not merel y at this strange no
ton of an economical dress, but the ute
unconsciousness my wife had that ther
was anything extravagant about it. Sh
availed herself Of my silence to expatiat
F, on the beauty of Valencennes laces il
I general. and on that which trimmed he
{ dress in particular; and warming wit
: her subject, made it finally to appear lha
= we are under infinite obligations 10 Ma
J, dame Flourish for the opportunity Of pay
Il ing this bill and buying collar to male
y her Valenciennes. Mrs. Jones was =
earnest and sincere, that | thought
: would be pity TO, break her charmin
), deusion. resolved, therefore, to smok
II second-rate cigars for The next six months
u and indulge the 'dear creature in he
u wishes and she looks so lovely, an
seems so happy, in hel new dress an
$ collar. that. ID confess the truth, don
IS regret what have done.
Nevertheless, as an abstract propos
e lion, | still h, Id 10 the secret opinion, tht
l. paying twenty-five shillings for maxim
D and trimming dress that cost only thirty
'e doesn't exactly show knack for EooNoM'
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