Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-03-18

ment. and yamose. You needn't laugh, Cousin
John. and think will not dare do as say.
/ know am surrounded by fashion, and caste
is at A premium, and women are sacrificing
health. comfort and happiness for the look
Of the thing It is really a relief to see how
a woman does look. She has been confound-
ed with stays and hoops so long that we can
not help fancying her moving pyramid. An
African woman, seeing a French madame
with great basket under her long robe,
exclaimed, Madame, is that all yoursefs-
No wonder the japanese thought American
women very queer specimens. i'm sure you
wouldn't hand down dry goods, rummage
among boxes and trumpery, with hogsheau
attached to your suspenders."
The dress question subsidized by Johns ask
ing for another cup of coffee, to "quiet his
nerves." adding, it was quite palatable for
" green hand" Co.'S
Next morning, jingle went the door bell at
haIfpast nine. / answered the summons, ana
had the merriment of seeing DIR. Wilson look
at me as though ! was sight to behold. l
invited him into the drdwing-room and did
nv best to entertain him, which was poorly
enough. He is what goes 10 making up OF
fashionable gallant-kuows how to bring In
pretty savings about your face, eyes, hair and
figure. pick up handkerchiefs, and almost an
Aaron Burr in helping a woman into car
riage. His patent-leather boots were as
bright and polished as a steel mirror, and
foot, small, of course, to compare with his
brains After somewhat embarrassing ST.
lence, the Doctor stammered out with, Re
ally, Miss Herrick, am to presume that you
have adopted your present style OF cos
tune ?"
al am very happy to inform you that
have adopted ii"
"You certainly don't intend to continue
the wearing of 2"
81 do. Have you any serious objection to
INV dressing according to my business?"
Pray, what business have you that re-
quires it ?"
"Merely that j have volunteered TO go to
work and do something. Pm going to take
care of the garden this summer. Our former
gardener has gone to the army, and there
seems to be a demand for the spirit OF our
good old Revolutionary mothers. am proud
that there is enough of it in me to assert its
sway"
could feel my cheeks flushing as | spoke.
A sickening leer hung around the lips OF the
Doctors mouth. He evidently failed tosee
the point" He had studied medicine, OBJ
tanned his title, but never had the ambition
or tact to distinguish himself in his profess
sion. He gloried in his idleness and thirty
thousand dollars. He left with much fewer
fourishes of his compliments than usual, and
was succeeded by Mr.. Haywood. When he
left, Mr.. Bower came, and was not slow TO
surmise that Cousin John had been using
" strategy" and giving my courage trial.
they all left with the impression that was
fast becoming strong-minded woman, and
altogether too solid for their soft appliances
z Nv acted a
an emetic upon the stomach of dear
friends" for they quietly Misunderstanding
all cared for, however. Among the latter
was George Wayne. He was neither rich
like Wilson, nor gallant like Hayward. You
could feel his goodness better than tell it. 1t
was something indefnable, that pleased and
satisfied. He had good, hard sense, and that
is worth more than compliments without 1t.
He did not turn up his nose at my determine
ton, but his fine grey eyes kindled with glow
of honest admiration and enthusiasm, as he
said: " / am glad, Jennie, there is one wo-
man in the village who has independence and
spirit to act in accordance with the dictates
of her better judgement. l was fearful you
belonged to the heartless, frivolous, useless
class of women so common among the rich.
tried to believe otherwise. / thank you that
by your change of base you have proved
that YOU are what | wish ali women were, LESS
enslaved by false notions of propriety."
Nv lady friends were apparently taken by
Storm They wondered how l could endure
to have my hands Drowned by labor, and how
| could wear calf shin boots. They would
much sooner think of me going to war than
to raking the garden, or pinching the runners
off strawberry plants, or killing bugs on Gu
cumbers, or feeding chickens. And so they
dawddled away their time upon such delecta-
bles as Wilson, Hayward, and troupe, rejoic-
ing in pale faces with spots of rouge, and de-
lightful headache and delicate health. On
the contrary, for present enjoyment, / am as
healthy, rosycheeked, red-lipped, aud happy
as an English girl, my hands are brown and
hard, but stronger for the piano, while my
voice is fuller and clearer than ever dared
to hope it might be. / can make capital
bread and pastry, and expect the finest straw
berries in town. Moreover, shall have for
ty dollars to pay into my church for the San
itary Commission, the amount saved by SUBJ
stitutiIg myself in Bridget's position.
For fear that some one may be malicious
enough to think am advertising my newly
developed virtues, and apply for place in
my good graces, I'll simply add that George
Wayne, when at home on his last furlough,
took the precaution to secure a life lease
from the said B. Jennie Herrick, including
brown hands, bloomer, and all, and when the
war is over she will swear eternal allegiance
to a blue coat.
VT II Ill -