Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1869-11-18
miscellaneous.
THE DRESS, NOT THh LADY.
BY MARY A. DENNI5ON.

THE DRESS, NOT THL LADY.
BY MARY A. DENNIsoN.
Nellie Blossom-a pretty name, is il not
sat in her dressins-room laughing as
hard as she could laugh. What it could
be for ana sure nobody could tell, for she
was alone, neither reading, nor singing,
or talking 10 terself. She had been occu-
pied in com ing her beautiful hair, and
this was the situation In which she sat.
A brush IN one hand, great mass of silk
curls in the other, her head thrown back,
her voice ringing out In a succession Of
good hearty ..ha has"
''What is tive matter, Nellie ?" asked her
mother, standing smiling at the door.
30, / was thinking of something so
funny r cried Nell, springing to her feet
and plying the brush; ''neyer mind, moth
er, I've got plan in my head, and if
decide upon putting it into execution, I'll
tell you what it Is.
At breakfast pretty Nellie was all smiles.
'Shall you go out shopping to-day 2"
asked her mother, glancing casually to-
wards her daughter.
On this. Neiiy began TO laugh again; then
restraining herself on catching her fathers
eve, she answered, II haven't quite made
up my mind-perhaps may"
eAh contriving already how to make
way with that fifty dollars Uncle Joe sent
you yesterday Well. Nell, make good use
of it; there's many poor man would feel
like prince these hard times with fifty
dollars IN his hand"
Ill try to. sir, /" replied Nelly, her laugh
ing eyes growing more quiet in their ex-
preston.
Who did Won see last night Nelly ?"
asked Mrs, Blossom, lounging over her tea
After the paterfamilias had gone out
.shenry Lloyd and Charles Sheldon, as
usual" replied Nelly, archly.
..Were they both attentive?
''As two shadows, replied Amy. Henry
never looked more noble in his life"
'.Last time it was Charles" said Mrs.
Blossom.
Nelly blushed Il know" she said; Il
find it difficult to choose between them, /
confess"
Henry is the handsomest and the rich
est of the frm," said her mother, looking
ont, as mothers will do, for the main
chance.
II don't know about Henry's being the
handsomest," replied Nelly; "there is
somethiay very superior about Charles
Sheldon face, bat he is so 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, y
said Mrs Blossom.
"Yes, they a. pear to have; but I'm going
to test them to Cay"
''What do you mean, Nellyf
.sOl that's what / was laughing at up
stairs, this morning" replied Nelly, in 6
merry way. s'You see, I've such capita
plan and I'm the very one to carry it out
think I shall spend my fifty dollars or
poor SliIl's family"
'sWhat wild freak now" asked the ma
turer Blossom of the two, looking wonder
ingly at Der daughter. Dear easy littl,
woman, Nelly had not much to fear from
any interference on her part 1t is wei
that the young girl naturally possessed
much discretion, good sense and good judg
ment, for her mother had never imposed
any restraint upon her inclinations, way
ward or otherwise.
Don't you think Agnes rather pretty
looking girl, mother 2
"What, little Agnes, my dressing-maid ?
replied her mother.
mo: SO very little; about my size, be
hevs," said Nelly.
''well, what of herr I am all attSz
ton"
s'why, you haven't answered my questio
whether you thought she was pretty" fai
Nelly.
20, yes pretty, rather" was the reply
''wel, Tn going to dress her up spler
didly?"
'.Nellyr'
81 am, truly, in the new bonnet orde
ed Yesterday, and my best founced sill
Pm Just going to load her with chains
rings, bracelets, and everything handsome
and then I'm going shopping with her.
Nonsense p calculated the elder Blo'
som; Nelly, you're crazy
'sNowhers near ii. said Nelly, laughin
again; ..I'm going to have real fun, 20
may believe"
'But what object have you in this quil
foolish scheme?" asked her mother
..Oi you'll see," replied Nelly. sIm &,
ing now, and when Agnes is dressed, T
come down and exhibit her."
Agnes was pretty and smart also. Sl
was very ignorant, but having been dres
ing maid in sever al good families, she ha
picked mp q little smattering of useful il
formation. As for the rest, she was full I
handsome, and nearly as graceful, when 81
chose to be, as many lady OF fashion
She entered into the scheme with spiri
ssYou are not to buy anything, W
know" said Nelly, as she turned waitin
maid, clasped on the bracelets and aided
dressing, '.but ask for such and such silk
speak IN an ordering, commanding wa
YOU know, and manage somehow to she
your money. o. have it, carry IL in th
purse; the gold viii shine through q
ueshes beautifully"
..And what shall you wear?" asked Agne
surveying herself in long mirror, with
pleasant face.
al? G, plain drab merino, with clos
sleeves ND linen cuffs; mamma's ever
day straw bonnet with the dowerS TAX
ont. common Lisls gloves, and look just
plain as pipe stem.
20, dear, dear?" cried the girl, lang
ing; "why. people v ont know you-
81 don't mean they SHALL" said Nell
demurely proceeding to dress her hair Ii
upon her forehead, and otherwise alter b
appearance so that her mother would ha1
ly have recognized her. Throwing ON
last deep brown veil to shade her fat
she was ready. Agnes had received b
directions 20 keep near Nelly, both IN t
street and in the store. It was not 10
walk to Lioyd. Sheldon 4 Co.'S. Ths
were three young men; the arm was ne
and the partners took an active pat IN
salesroom, thus overseeing their bunn
and econo MIXING somewhat
Agnes acted the great lady to perfeotls