The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-10-23
Selected Story.
TIE DRESS NOT THE LADY.
BY MARY A. DENNIsoN.

good, nearly 6 a has.
what is the matter, Nelly?" asked her
mother, standing laughing at the door.
90, was thinking of something funny"
cried Nell, springing to her feet, and plying
the brush; never mind, mother, 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 Nell was all smiles.
Shall you go out shopping to-day askeu
her mother, glancing casually towards her
daughter.
On this. Nelly began to laugh again then
restraining herself on catching her 1athefs
eve She answered, 81 haven't quite made up
my mind-perhaps may" ta
All contrivlng already how to make way
wifi, that fifty dollars Uncle Joe sent you
Yesterday! Well, Nell, make good use OF it ;
there's many poor man would feel like a
Prince these hard times, with fifty dollars in
his haud". f-
- ri try to, sir" replied Nelly, her laughing
eyes growing more quiet in their expression.
" no did you see last night, Nely?" ask
ed Mrs. Blossom, lounging over her tea after
the paterfamlias had gone out.
Henry Lloyd and Charles Sheldon, as usu-
al;' replied Nelly, archly. ~
Were they both attentive"
" As two shadows" replied Amy. Henry
never looked more noble in his life" su
Last time it was Charles" said Mrs. Bios
som.
Nelly bushed. II know" she said; Il
find 1t difficult to choose between them, con-
TESS" ~
Henry is the handsomest and the richest
OF the frm," said her mother, looking out, as
mothers will do, for the main chance.
don't know about Henry's being the hand
somest," replied Nelly; 8" there is something
very superior about Charles Sheldon's face
but 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 more brill eye and color. Per-
haps dresses in rather better taste; but al
though lie pleases me moro in company, there
is something in Charles SheldOn's quiet way
and deep eye that sometimes seems more at
tractive." sa la.t ~
e Both appear to have sterling qualities"
said Mrs. Blossom.
"Yes, they appear to have; but Pm going
to test them to-day" e.4-it4~
What do you mean, Nelly?"
That's what Was laughing at upstairs,
this morning." replied Nelly, in merry way,
You see I've such a capital plan! and I'm
the very one to carry it out, think. L shall
spend my tity dollars on poor Mills family"
What wild freak now" asked the matur-
er blossom OF the two, looking wonderingIy at
her daughter. Dear, easy little womali, Nelly
had not much to fear from any interference
on her part. 1t is well that the young girl
naturally possessed much discretion, good
sense and good Judgment, for her mother had
never imposed any restraint upon her incli-
nations, Maynard or otherwise
Don't you think, Agnes rather pretty
looking girl, mother?D -
What little Agnes, my dressing-maid ?,
rejoIned her mother.
Not so very little; about my size, 1 believe,
said Nelly. '0"N'N'
wen, what other? am all attention.
why, you haven't answered my question
Nelly. -rs ="
20, yes! pretty, rather" was the reply. p I
ly?7 ~ 'r'|''''N
"Nelly!"
Il am, truly, in the new bonnet L ordered
Yesterday, and my best founced silk Pm
just going to load her with chains, rings brace
lets and everything handsome; and then Pm
going shopping with her." =. u I H
Nonsense! !" calculated the elder Blossom
NELLY, you're crazyp'
nowhere near it," said Nelly, laughing
again; Pm going TO have real fun, you may
believe" 80 49,
But what object have you in this quite
foolish soheme?" asked her mother
"O!youll see, replied Nelly. SPIN 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 DIRE ,sing-maid
in several good families, she had picked up
little SIN altering of useful information AS
Tor the rest, she was full as handsome and
nearly as graceful, when she chose to be. as
many lady of fashion.
She entered into the scheme with shirt.
y ca are not to buy anything, you know"
sala Nelly ,as the turned waiting-mail, clasped
ON the bracelets and aided her in dressing.
but ask fol such and such silks, speak in an
ordering, commanding way, you know, and
11aanaee somehow to show your money: 10!
nasa it, carr it in this purse; the gold will
snano trough the mcshes beautifully"
s,,rr Gu hat shall you wear?" asked Agnes,
riaosont 7oc .oorseli in the long mirror, with a
sleeves ~ and P Iinen drab merino, with closed
straw bonnet with the III ammas everyday
mon Isle gloves, and look .s s as n Tas, co e
pipe-stem." aS piah DIS
s,s,,, .s,.-i,-.-A-,m erioa the glA.
why people won't know you 'nghlng;
IL don't mean they shall,' said Nelly. DC
murey 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 deem
brown veil to shade her face, she was ready
Agnes had received her directions to keen
near Nelly, both in the street and in the store.
1t was not long walk to Lloyd, Sheldon d
Oos' mere were three young men; the firm
was new, and the partners took an active
part In the sales-room, thus overseeing their
business and economizng somewhat.
Agnes acted the great lady to perfection
She shook out her silks, tossed her head a If
tle.as if with the feeling that everything about
her was entirely beneath her notice. vet She
could condescend perhaps 10 buy something.
and sailing along the store, her humble look
ing companion behind her, she paused at a
place where four clerks stood with their eight
hands all ranged along together ready to
Jump over the counter if need be, TO eyecute
the ladys commands.
Nelly stood quietly back, her face shaded
by the brown veil. She saw Lloyd immedi-
ateiy leave a plain-looking customer to The
clVilltles OF Sheldon, who was near him anJ
making sign to the clerks, he was left alona
with the new customer "'
L want to see some MORE ANTIQUE, said
money F'en'y vi
o,o, Certainly, madam" replied the polite
clerk; Immediately taking an immense COCO
- Tho splendid silks. and SPREADING then, ho
E,re her. r '''''"S 'hem De-
now much do them come to ward .,
asked E, agnes cunnlngly showing her cold
Ine young man informed her with n oreot
deal OF difference, turning over and disnlsvi,&
a great number of goods.
Ihose don't exactly please me: tbev ain,t
costly enough" said Agnes, longing to Ioot
over towards Nelly and laugh.
we have very splendid embroidered s;lIs
at almost any price," said Lloyd, deliohted
that ne had fallen in with a customer Wiz
seemed 10 nave no care how mrch tbingS
cost and with great trouble he took doWn
otner cases, catching his coat-sleeve untortn-
nately in nail, and tearing il nearly fro,,,
shoulder to elbow. 'ioni
conceal a smile. Meantime Sheldon hon' W
o oar uush WIN MS customer, and the Young
Just look out Tor that woman tberee o o
are lying about loose" e'o"'
Inc indignant blood rushed TO her face
>, isn't she eustomer?, asked SbolJo,' :;
the same tone. o'ol Ill
= no servant expect carry home bundles 4,
Saiu Lloyd, still in that suppressed voice pit
e cnsruo9 u'd not seem 10 be satisfied he came
~ w m"io saying IN gentlemanly tone. "C,n
walt upon you madam ?o ''"o' Van
instantly Nelly experienced = o,or oe
warmth about her Leart thai had ta,ts H vi
ngS Oh scorn before. She modestlu ra',,in5
Some 1annels, if you please y iop"eu'
BE kind enough to walk over 70 tho
lite counter. AS l see the clerk is ano 0ppo1
here, will serve you," he said. Naiy ~
owed with beating heart. How diasr az"
bis treatment from the unkind suspicious nt
ne more elegant Lloyd. Very courteously he
1alted upon her, forcing no goods on her aten-
ION merely bowling if she was not satisfied.
akng down with alacrity whatever she asked
~ 50 Cnat every moment, as she looked at his |