Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-11-11

/ hall into a large room occupied 10y about TWEEN
ty bonnets and sixty miliuers, ,saleswomen, ,etc.
| l did not look at the bonnets for the first halt
| hour but devoted myself exclusively to tax
| ing an inventory of the young ladies.
'.This is charming bonnet-golden dun
! Maria Stuart 'front.' said the lady in chief.
eyes, she is, L replied s'but her hair is
! a little too red.'
! 1 discovered my mistake when it was too
/ late to correct it. That's my luck.
| As soon the divine little miliners learned
| who | they gathered around me in cir
! Gle, and all were anxious to see who could say
| the most and best things. One was discant-
! ing upon the beauties of chip bonnet and
another handed me bunch of grapes to ex-
anime. | bit one of the grapes, and got my
mouth full of broken glass. Then thought
would rather report camp meeting than
inillinary store; then thought | wouldn't and
| mustered my courage and made another
note III my note book, (grapes, not sour, but
sharp.) Ny tongue bled fearfully and spoil
ed my best embroidered handkerchief wiping
away the blood. The circle diminished, and
the crowd (perhaps should say bevy) came
closer. began TO want fresh air severely.
Too many females in close room render the
atmosphere oppressive.
s.This is beautiiul,' said a charming crea-
ture with pearly eyes and black teeth, s'this is
a dear duck of bonnet"
of wild ducks, especially if they belong to
man by the name of Drake"
''Price, seventy five dollars,' she cOntnu-
ed paying about as little attention to me as
man OF my qualifications could expect.
| asked her if she would sell ii in small lots,
and how much one of the straws would come
to, but before had finished the question she
was showing me something lse.
The ladies became less timid they became
more acquainted, and approached so near me
when they wanted to give me bonnet to
look at, that my ruffles in danger
of being crushed. They piled bonnets upon
me till had both arms full and the top ones
began to fall Oft, and every time stopped to
pick up one dropped two. 1t required some
skIilful engineering 10 keep from being en-
gulphed In the ocean of crinoline that sur
rounded me; and in making desperate effort
to escape from one particular billow that came
fearfully near me, | plunged both feet into a
magnificent French chip bonnet (that was the
name OF it, with Marie Stuart or Louisa
Jane Susan Smith front, l forget which.
There was another crash of glass artificials,
bunch OF wheat was crushed to flour, and
fine blush rose blushed for the last time.
The milliners all screamed-the circle was
broken some rushed one way and some an |
other, and some rushed in an opposite direc-
ton. / rushed to window and measured the |
distance 10 the ground with my mathematical
eye. had not made up my mind exactly when |
a ten year old whom l had not seen before |
q think she was an apprentice) sung out in a !
shrill voice, s'Ma says if you don't pay her for
the last shirt she made for you she Ii prosecute
you in the court house,
should have been proud to know that l |
had an acquaintance there If | had not been |
in hurry. | threw myself out upon the side
walk without breaking bone, snd-I still |
i've. When next l go TO report millinery I
affair shall go IN full suit of armor.
am feelingly, BEAU HAcKET.