Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-04-29
THE CITY SEWING CIRCLE.
Needles and Tongues.

AS Polly entered the Shaws' parlor, an
appalling array Of well.dressed girls ap-
peared, each provided with dainty reti-
cue, basket or bag, and each tongue going
good deal faster than the needle, while
the white fingers stitched sleeves in upside
down, put flannel jackets together hind
part before, or gobbled botton-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 q 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, III lake au unbleached cot
ton shirt, if you have such thing, for it is
likely to be needed before a cambric lrock,"
replied Polly, subsiding into her corner
as quickly as possible, for at least
six eye glasses were up, and she didn't en-
Joy being stared at.
Miss Perkins, grave, cold-looking young
lady, with an aristocratic nose, bowed po-
litely, and then went on with her work.
which displayed two diamond rings to
great advantage. Belle, being Of the de-
monstrative sort, smiled and nodded, drew
up her chair, and began a whispered ac-
count of TriX's last quarrel with Tom.
Polly listened with interest lille she sew
ed diligently, occasionally permitting her
eyes to study the elegant intricacies of Miss
Perkins dress, for that young lady SIT like
statue, quirking her delicate fingers. and
accomplishing about two stitches a minute.
In the mids. Of Bellies story, a more excit-
ing 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 ard charitable
spirit of the accomplished young ladies
about her. There was perfect babel of
tongues, but 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
servants. Another divu'ged the awful fact
that Carrie P.'s wedding presents were half
of them hired for the occasion. A third cir.
cnlated a whisper 10 the effect that though
Mrs. Buckmaster wore thousand-dollar
cloak, her boys we're not allowed but one
sheet to their beds. And fourth young
gossip assured the company that a certain
person had never offered himselfto certain
other person. though the report was indus
triously spread by interested parties. This
latter remark caused such q clamor that
Fanny called the meeting to order in q
most unparliamentary fashion.
uE;rls u;rlet ro,, .,on,, ,..,as Ali l,,,
and sew more, or our society will be dis
graced. DO you know our branch sent in
less work than any of the others last nc month,
and Mrs. Fiz George said she didn't see
how fifteen young ladies cou.d manage to
do SO little?"
awe don't talk bit more than the old
ladies do. l just wish you could have
heard them go on, last time. The way
they get so much done is, they take work
home, and make their seamstresses do it,,
and then they take credit for vas, industry" !"
said Belle, who always spoke her mind
with charming cahdor.
"That reminds me that mamma SAYS they
want as many things rs we can make, for
it's hard winter, and the poor are suffer-
ing very much. Do any OF you wish to
take articles home, to do at odd times p
said Fan, who was president of this ener-
getic Dorcas society.
"Mercy, no! 1t takes all my leisure
time to mend my gloves and refresh my
dresses" answered Belle.
~ think if we meet once week it is oil
that should be expected Of US, with our 9th.
er engagements. foor people always com,