Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-08-31
The City Sewing Circle.
NEEDLES AND TONGUES.


As Polly entered the Shaws parlor, an
appalling array Of wel-dressed girls appeared,
each provided with dainty retcule, basket
or bag, aud each tongue going q good deal
faster than the needle, while the white fingers
stitched sleeves in upside down, put flannel
jackets together hind part before, or gobbled
button-holes with the best intentions in life.
You are dear TO come so early Here's
a nice place for you between Belle and Miss
Perkins, and here's sweet little dress TO
make, unless you like something else better"
said Fanny, receiving her friend with warmth,
and placing her where she thought she would
enjoy herself
Thank YOU I'll take an unbleached cot
ton shirt, if you have such a thing, for ii is
likely to be needed before a cambric frock, {"
replied Polly, subsding into the corner as
quickly as possible, for at least six eye glasses
were up and she didn't enjoy being stared at
Miss Perkins, a grave, cod-looking young
lady, with an aristocratic nose, bowed po-
litely, and then went on with her work, which
displayed two diamond rings at great adyan-
tage. Belle, being Of the demonstrative sort,
smiled and nodded, drew up her chair, and
began a whispered account of Trix's last
quarrel with Tom. Polly listened with inter.
est while she sewed diligently, occasionally
permitting her eyes to study the elegant in
tricacies Of Miss Perkins dress, for that
young lady sat like statue, quirking her
delicate fingers, and accomplishing about two
stitches q minute. In the midst Of Bellies
story, more exciting bit of gossip caught
her ear, and she plunged into the conversation
going on across the table, leaving Polly free
to listen and admire the wit, wisdom and
charitable spirit Of the accomplished young
ladies about her. There was perfect babel
Of tongues, hut out of the confusion Polly
gathered scraps Of fashionable intelligence
which somewhat lessened her respect for the
dwellers in high places. One fair creature
asserted that Joe Somebody took so much
champagne at the last German, that he had
to be got away, and sent home with two ser.
wants. Another divulged the awful fact that
Carrie P.'s wedding presents were half of
them hired foT the occasion, A third circu.
lated a whisper to the effect that though Mrs
Buckminster wore a thousand,dollar CLOAK
her boys were not allowed hut one sheet TO
their beds, And fourth young gossip as
sured the company that certain person never
offered himself 10 a certain other person,
though the report was industriously spread by
interested parties. This latter remark caused
such a clamor that Fanny called the meeting
to order in a most unparlimentary fashion.
Girls! girls you really must talk less
and sew more, or our society will be disgraced
Do you know our branch sent in less work
than any of the others last month, aud Mrs.
Fitz George said she didn't see how fifteen
young ladies could manage to do so little ?"
ave don't talk bit more than the old
ladies do just wish you could have heard
them go on last time. The way they get so
much done is, they take work home, aud make
their seamstresses do il, and then they take
credit for vast industry said Belle who al
ways spoke her mind with charming candor.
THAT reminds me that mamma says thoy
want as many things as we can make, for it's
a hard winter, and the poor are suffering very
much, DO any Of you wish to take articles
home, to do at odd times 2" said Fan, who
was president of this energetic Dorcas society
Mercy, no 1t takes all my leisure timt
to mend my gloves and refresh my dresses, "
answered Belle.
think if we meet once a week ii is all
that should be expected of US, with our Other
engagements. Poor people always complain
that the winter is hard one, and never are
satisfied" remarked Miss Perkins, making
her diamonds sparkle as she sewed buttons OF
the wrong side of pink calico apron, which
would hardly survive one washing.
Nobody can ask me to do any more, il
they remember all I've got to attend to, be
fore summer" said Trix, with au importan
air. "I've got three women hard at work
and want aaother but every one is SO busy
and ask such abominablo prices, that pm il
despair, and shall have to take hold myself
I'm afraid"
'There's a chance for Jane" though
Polly, but hadn't courage 4" TO speak out lout
IN meeting" just then, and resolved to asI
lrK for work in private.
"Prices are high, but you forget how mucl
more it costs to live now than ii used TO
Mamma never allows us TO beat down work
women, but wishes US to pay them we'll, an,
economiae in some other way, if we must,
said Emma Davenport, quiet, bright-eye(
girl, who was called odd among the younI
ladies, because she dressed simply, when he
father was a millionaire.
'' just hear that girl talk about economy
| beg your pardon, she's some relation 0
yours, | believe !" said Belle, in low tone.
| =" Very distant but I'm proud Of IL 70
with her, economy doesn't mean scrimping il
one place to make show in another.
every one would follow the Davenports' ex
ample, workwomen wouldn't starye, or ser
wants be such trouble. Emma is the plain
est dressed girl IN the room, next TO me, yc
any one can see she is true gentlewoman,
said Polly, warmly.
Aud you are another answered Belle
who had always loved Polly, in her scatter
Drained way.
:" Hush Trix has the floor"
If they spent thoir wages properly,
shonldn't mind 80 much but they think tho
must be as fine as anybody, and dress 30 wei
that it is hard TO tell mistress from maid
Why our cook got bonnet just like min
(the materials we're cheaper, bat the easc
was the same), and had the inperlinence d
wear it before my face. ! forbid il, and sh
left, of course, which made papa so cross h
wouldn't give me the camel's hair shawl b
promised this year"
"It's perfectly shanofollp said Miss Per
kins, as Trix paused, out Of breath. Scr
wants ought to be made to dress like servants
as they do abroad then we should have n
more trouble" observed Miss Perkins, VIII
mad just made the grand tour, and had broueh
home French maid. rf.I Yam .a4i
i "Porky don't practise as she breaches,
whispered Belle to Polly, as Miss p. becam
absorbed in the chat Of her other neighbors
/" She pays her chamber girl with old hnery