The Republican journal., 1869-10-21
THE DRESS--NOT THE LADY
BY MARY A. DENNISON

Nelly Bloosom-a pretty name, is it not
sat in her dressing room laughing as hare
as shcacould laugh What could it be, for
am sure nobody could tell, for she was alone
neither reading, singing, or talking to her
self. She has been occupied in combing hel
beautiful hair and this was the situation in
which she sat A brush in one hand, great
mass Of silky curls in the other, her volce
ringing out in q succession of good hearty
| ha, hats
What IS the matter, Nelly?' asked her
mother, standing smiling at the door.
oh | was thinking of something funny
cried Nelly, springing to her feet, and plying
the brush. Never mind, mother, I've got {
plan in my head, and if l decide putting it ii
execution I'll tell you what it is
At breakfast pretty Nelly was all smiles.
Shall you go out shopping to-day?' askec
her mother glancing casually towards he'
daughter.
On this Nelly began to laugh again; then
restraining herself on catching her father
eye she answered, L haven't quite made up
my mind-perhaps 1 may
'Ah contriving already to make way with
that fifty dollars Uncle Joe sent you yester-
day Well, Nelly make gooduse oft; there's
many poor man would feel like a prince
these hard times, with fifty dollars in his
hand
IN try to- sir replied Nelly. her laughing
eyes growing more quiet in their expression.
who did you see last night, Nelly p asked
Mrs. Blossom, lounging over her tea after the
paterfamilias had gone out.
Henry Lloyd and Charles Sheldon, as
usual replied Nelly, archly.
Were they both attentive?'
AS two Shadows replied Nelly. Henry
never looked more noble in his life
Last time it was Charles said Mrs Bios
som.
Nelly blushed Il know she said; 4 find
it difficult to choose between them, [ confess.
Henry is the handsomcst and richest of the
firm said her mother, looking out, as
mothers will do, for the main chance.
Il don't know about I1enry's being the hand
somest,' replied Nelly; there is something
very superior about Charles Sheldon's face,
but he is very retiring; one has to give him
so much margin To be sure, Henry is more
dashing, might be called more elegant, and
has certainly q more brilliant eye and color.
Perhaps he dresses in rather better taste; but
although he pleases me more in company,
there is something in Charles Sheldon's quiet
way and deep eye that sometimes seems more
attractive'
Both appear to have sterling qualities, said
Mrs Blossom.
Yes, they appear to have; but Pm going
to test them to-day
What do yon mean Nelly?'
'Oh that's what was laughing at up stairs
this morning. replied Nelly, in a merry way
| You see Eve got such a capital plan and Pm
the very one to carry it out, think. l shall
spend my fifty dollars on poor Mills family.
What wild freak now p asked the maturer
Blossom of the two, looking wonderfully at
her daughter. Dear little woman, Nelly had
not much to fear from any interference on hel
part. It was well that the young girl natur-
ally possessed much discretion, good sense
imposed any restraint upon her inclinations,
waywarl or otherwise.
Don't you think Agnes rather a pretty look
ing girl, mothcr%
What, little Agnes, my dressing maid !?
| rcjoincd her mother.
| Not so very little aboutmy size, | believe,
said Nelly.
| well, what of her her? am all attention
| 'Why, you haven't answered my question
whether you thought she was pretty said
| Nelly.
| %, yes pretty, rather was the reply.
| Well I'm going to dress her up splendid
F! lyn
'Ncllyr
y am, truly, in the new bonnet ordered
yesterday, and my best flounced silk. I'm
JUS going to load her with chains, rings
bracelets, and everything handsome; and ther
Pm going shopping with her.
Nonsense = calculated the elder Blossom
Nelly, you're crazy
Nowhere near it, said Nelly, laughing
again i am going to have real fun, you may
believe
But what object have you in this quite
foolish scheme :? asked her mother.
'O! you will see, replied Nelly, Pm going
now and when Agnes is dressed I'll come
down and exhibit her.
Agnes was pretty, and smart also She
was very Ignorant, but having been dressing
maid in several good families, she had picked
up a little smattering of useful information
! AS for the rest, she was full as handsome and
nearly as graceful, when she chose to be, as
many a lady of fashion.
| She entered into the scheme with spirit
You arc not to buy anything, you know
said Nelly, as sheturncd dressing maid, clasp
on the bracelets and aided her in dressing,
but ask for such and such silks, speak in an
ordering, commanding way, yon know, and
manage somehow to show your money; OIL
have it, carry it in this purse the gold will
shine through the meshes beautifully
And what shall you wearP' asked Agnes,
surveying herself in the long mirror, with a
pleasant face.
Il? o! n plain merino, with closed sleeves
and linen cuffs; mammals every day straw
bonnet with the flowers taken out, common
Lisle gloves, and look just as plain rs a pipe
STEM
90. dear, DEAR cried the girl, laughing,
why, people won't know YOU
Il don't mean they SHALL said Nelly, de-
murely proceeding to dress her hair low upon
her forehead, and otherwise alter her appear
ance so that her mother would hardly have
recognized her. Throwing on at last a deep
brown veil to shade her face, she was ready.
Agnes had received her directions to keep
near Nelly, both in the street aud in the store
1t was not long walk to Lloyd, Sheldon &
Cos There were three young men the firm