The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer. (Bel Air, Md.) 1862-1864, 1862-03-22
THE BROWN SILK DRESS.

"Why, Eliza, what a strange choice for
wedding dress your other dresses are
in very good style, and you have plenty
of them, considering the changes of fashion
but brown silk to be married in! what
a fancy for girl of eighteen !'
"Tis true, my aunt, that my choice
seems somewhat sombre, but you know
very we'll that | am about to become the
wife of poor mechanic, who depends up
on his daily labor for support. AS the
wife Of such man have thought it bet
ter to purchase something which would be
useful for some time, than to consult my
appearance as splendid bride for one short
evening, especially as I am to see no stran-
gers"
"There Is something in that. There is
my Maria's wedding dress. She will new
err wear it again in the world. She had a
white satin with lace dress over it, Oh
she did look beautiful do admire a
handsome bride"
Yes, it is very we'll for those who can
afford it. But it would be quite absurd
for me to purchase an expensive dress for
a few evenings, when by the expenditure
of half the money, [ can purchase that
which will be more servicable for years.
But come, put on your bonnet and step
over to our new house. 1t is all furnished,
at least all that is finished. Ivalue it more
highly than | should if it was not SO near
to my mothers"
"There, William has left this small par
lor, this sitting room, and three chambers
to finish at his leisure, when he is out of
employment. See how everything is ar
ranged, SO handy for my work ~
"You don't say you are going to do
your own work"
Certainly I do. There is only one ap-
prentice, and [ should think it strange if
could not do it with ease"
"My heart What strange fancies you
have to be sure! 1t is we'll enough if you
can bring your mind to it, but the folks
do differently nowadays. There is my
Maria; she has moved into an elegant
house, all furnished from top to bottom
She keeps great girl to do the work, and
little one to wait and tend. Oh, things
do go on beautifully, 1 promise YOU"
CHER husband is young lawyer, is he
not ?-is he wealthyP
ooh, he is very we'll off. He does not
get much practice as yet, but I dare say
he will in time. He has thousand dol
lars at interest-besides, Maria never
would have married mechanic-their
hands get so hard and black, and their
compilations get brown. I wouldn't wish
to hurt your feelings, but I do think for
pride's sake, for the sake of the family,
you might have made different choice"
"Oh, aunt-excuse my laughing, but I
have yet to learn that mans honest oc-
cupation, whether it produces hard hands
or soft, white hands-whether it gives the
cheek brown or pale hue, is any dispar-
agement to him. You must get acquaint-
ed with William and hear him converse
You will not think of his hard hands, and
his animated, intelligent countenance will
drive his bronzed skin out of yonr head.
But come, you don't say anything about
my furniture, and You must see my nice
closets" .5 a s@.las
"Oh, your furniture is well enough -
The less you have, the less you will have
to take care of, you know"
eyes, we could not get much furniture.
I insisted upon William taking the money