The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1868-12-25
ARD CO, IOWA, DECEMBER, rs, 1868.

folks managed to make such snow
when others, doing quite as we'll il
the world couldn't. "Now, yor
don't mean me ?" saiasMrs. Wells.
laughing. why, yes, said I blunt
} ly: I do; | can tell you, Mrs.
Wells, I went on, 'Maysville people
do think you are awful extravagant.
Why p said she. Because you
have so many new things, and made
so costly, and the children are al
ways furbelowed enough to cost a
small fortune. 'Now I'll warrant,
said she, that all mine and the
children's new things together don't
cost me any more than yours, OF
any other family in the village as
large as nine Why, how is that?
said I. Because I make every pen
ny tell, and just because I've got
an invaluable aid to give me the
very best advice, and keep me &C.
quainted with the newest fashions.
1t furnishes patterns and ideas, and
tells what to get, and how to make
up. so explicitly, that body can't
help understa nding. I save all the
cost and time and trouble Of going
to the city. for all I have to do is
to consult my Mentor for shape,
style and material. Past expert
cncc has proved to me that I can
rely upon it without a fear, and it
is always full a month in advance,
so that [ have plenty of time for
consideration. Send for the neces-
sary articles, and there are the di-
rcctions to make up. And besides,
l have the pleasure OF always feel
ing fresh and presentable. can
always dress my children we'll and
tastefully, because [ spare myself
one great expense, that Of giving
them cut to be made, as | have
within my reach such practical in
structions, that it is delight to
connive and fashion for myself
Then I'm never at loss for the
boys either. If my means are limit
ed, there is sure to occur an idea
that helps me- make cheap suit
come out quite jaunty and bccom-
ing. There are huadred and one
other notions to add effect to toll
ct; how to cut and ornament dresses
aprons, sacks, jackets, or any Of the
ini;spensahl.s in w.ll-resulatcd
wardrobe, cvcn to under-clothing.
1t puts 10 us all the odd ends of ma
terials one may have. Nothing can
60 to waste. I wish you would
take pity on me- said l. and put
me on the right track, forI've got
tired Of pinching and serewing to no
purpose With all my heart. I'm
afraid you have always been like
many others, penny wise and a
pound foolish; but you have only to
send three dollars, and purchase
years subscription to DEMoREsT's
MAGAZINE. That is the aid, coun-
selor, and helpmatc I've been tell
ing you of: -
At this juncture Mrs, Brown
chanced to glance out ofthe window.
Il have just finished my story in
time said she. her voice subsiding.
There is Mrs. Wells coming up the
garden path; you shall have her own
testimony"
Bonnet and mantle disposed of,
and work in hand, the newcomer
was prepared for the consultation by
an active rehearsal from Mrs. Brown
of a portion of her own and her
neighbor's recent discourse. Mrs.
Wclls' entrance had been the sig
nal for the resolving Of tho several
little groups Of takers into general
conversation. Not few listened
anxiously for her sentence upon
Mrs. Browns narrative,
II am quite prepared to indorse
all | said yesterday" returned she
at its conclusion, smilingly survey
ing her auditors, sand 1 can even
say more. Mrs. Brown kindly COM
plimented NE yesterday upon the
arrangement of my table, and more
than one Of you praised the trihes
in the way Of pastry and other re-
freshments I contributed to tho re-
frcshment table of our last years
fair. The household department. of
the Magazine was my guide; it is
especially devoted to items Of inter
est to hoasekeepcrs. You have
seen such practical illustrations Of
the value OF its various receipts,
that | need scarcely 1we'l upon it."
"Where did you learn Of TIE ex-
istence of your oracle?" questioned
| Mrs. Hart.
II read Of it in the village paper :"
"Oh, we don't take that"
.'Not take tho Maysyille Times :?
I'm surprised. Why, it's to every
ones interest to take the local pa
pers. You get your money's worth
over aud over. I should as lief be
out of the world as to be- without
the news. My husband says he sets
as much store by them as | d" by my
Demorest's Monthly. That must
have been the reason why Mr.. Wells
did so much better with his grain
and hay than Mr.. Hart. You see
he had the advantage Of knowing
how to sell, and whom aud where to
find good customer, and all this
through the paper, whilo neighbcr
Hart, even though he's quite as
shrewd at bargaining, had to trust