Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-04-29

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calico apron, which would hardly survive
one washing.
"Nobody can ask me to do any more, if
they remember all have got to attend to
before summer" said Trix, with an impor-
tant air. "Ive got three. women hard at
work, and want another, But every one is
so busy and ask such abominable prices,
that I'm in despair, and shall have to take
hold myself, I'm afraid"
"There's chance for Jane" thought
Polly, but hadn't courage ito speak out
loud in the meeting" just then, and resolved
to ask Trix for work in private.
"Prices are high, but you forget how
much more it costs to live now than it used
to do. Mamma never allows US to beat
down workwomen, but wishes to pay them
we'll, and economize in some other way, If
we must" said Emma Davenport, qu,et,
bright-eyed girl, who was called "odd"
among the young ladies, because she
dres. ed simply when her father was mil
lionaire.
"Just near that glrl talk about economy! !!
beg your pardon, ske's' some relation Of
yours, I believe!' said Belle, in low tone.
Every distant; but I'm proud of it; for
with her economy doesn't mean scrimping
in one place to make show in another.
IF every one would follow the Davenports'
example. workwomen wouldn't starve, or
servant, be such trouble Emma is the
plainest dressed girl in the room, next to
me, yet any one can see she is q true gen.
,lewoman," said Polly warmly.
"And you are another" answered Belle,
who had always loved Polly, in her scatter.
Drained way.
"Hush! Trix has the foor.'
''lf they spent their wages properly, l
shouldn't mind so much; but they
think they must be as fine as anybody, and
dress so well that it is hard to tell mistress
from maid. Why, our cook got bonnet
Just like mine (the materials were cheaper,
but the effect was the same), and had the
impertinenee to wear it before my face. l
forbid it, and she left, of course, which
made papa SO cross he wouldn't give me
the canel's hair shawl he promised this
year.
otis perfectly Shameful said Miss Per.
kins, as Trix paused, out of breath. ''Ser-
wants ought to be made to dress like
servants, as they do abroad; then we
should have no more trouble" observed
| VI L
tour, and had brought home a French maid.
''Perky don't practice as she preaches,' y
whispered Belle to Polly, as Miss P. be-
came absorbed in the chat of her other
neighbcrs. "She pays her chamber girlin old
finery; and the other day, when Betsy was
out parading in her mssis's cast-off purple
plush Suit, Mr.. Curtis thought she was
mademoselle, and bowed to her. He is as
blind as bat, but recognized the dress,
and pulled off his hat to it in the most ele-
gart style. Perky adores him, and was
mad enough to beat Betsy when she told
the story and giggled over it. Betsy is
quite as stylish and ever SO much prettier
than Perky, and she knows it, which is an
aggravation.'
Polly could not help Laughing, but grew So
Der minute after, as Trix said pettisbly
"Well, I'm sick Of hearing about beg
gars; believe half of them are hnmbugs,
and if we'd let them alone they'd 90 to
work and take care of themselves. There
altogether too much fuss made about char
itv. do wish we could be left in peace"
"There can't be too much charty!' burst
out Polly. forgetting her shyness all at once.
"Oh, indeed! Well, take the liberty to
differ from you, returned Trx, putting up
her glass, and bes,owiug upon Polly her
most "toploilical stare" as the girls called
ii.
Iregre: to say that Polly could never
talk with or be near Trlx without i.eir g
irriated or combstiye. She tried to con-
quer this feeling but she couldn't, and when
Trx put on airs, Polly felt an intense de-
sire to box her ears. The eye-glass was
her espe- ial aversion, tor TriX was no more
uear-sighted than herself, but pretended to
be because it was the fashion, and at times
used the innocent glass as weapon with
which to put down any one who presumed
to set themselves up. The supercilious
glance which accompanied her ironically
polite speech reused Polly, who answered
with sudden color and the kinding of the
eyes that always betrayed perturbed
spirit.
81 don't think many of us would enjoy
that selfish sort Of peace, while little chill
dren sarve, and girls no older than US kill
themselves because their dreadful poverty
leaves them no choice but sin or DEATH
A sudden lull took place, for though Polly
did not raise her voice, it was full of indig-
nant emotion, and the most frivolous girl
there fel, little thrill of sympathy; for the
most utterly fashionable life does not kill
the heart out of women, till years of sell
fish pleasure have passed over their heads.
Trix was ashamed of herself but she felt
the same antagonsm toward Polly that
p, lily did toward her; and, being less gen.
erous, took satisfaction in plaguing her.
Polly did not know that the secret of this
was the fact that Tom often held her up
as model for his finance 10 follow, which
caused her to dislike that young lady more
than ever.
"Half the awful stories in the papers are
made up for sensation, and it's absurd to
believe them unless one likes to be harrow
ed up. don't, and as for peace, Pm not
likely to get much while l have Tom to
look alter,' said Trix with an aggravating
laugh.
Polly's needle snapped in two, but she
did not mind it, as she said with a look that
silenced even sharptongued Trix,--
IL can't help believing what my own
eyes and ears have seen and heard. You
lead such safe and happy lives, you can't
imagine the misery that is all around you !;
but if you could get glimpse of it, it would
make your hearts ache as it has mine."
"Do you suffer from heartache !? Some
one hinted as much to me, but you looked
so well, could not believe it,"
Now that was cruel in Trix, more cruel
than any one guessed but girls tongues
can deal wounds as sharp and sudden as
the slender stiletto Spanish women wear in
their hair, and Polly turned pale as those
words stabbed her. Belle saw it and rush.
ed to the rescue with more good will than
wisdom.
"Nobody ever accused you of having
any heart to ache with. Polly and | are
not old enough yet to get tough and cool.
and we are still silly enough to pity unhap-
py people, Tom Shaw especially" added
Belle, under her breath.
That was twoedged thrust, for Trix
was decidedly an old girl, and Tom was
generally regarded as hapless victim.
Trix turned red, but before she could load
and fire again, Emma Davenport, who la.
bored under the deusion that this sort OF
sk;rmishing was III natured, and therefore
ill-bred, spoke up in her pleasant way
"S,aakinp of pitying the poor, | always