Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-07-30

THE DRESS, NOT THE LADY.
BY MARY A. DENNIsON.


Nelly Blossom-a pretty name, is it not ?
sat in her dressing groom laughing as hard
as she could laugh. What it could be for
am sure nobody could tell, for she was
alone, neither reading, singing, or talking
to herself. She had been combng her
beautiful hair, and this was the situation in
which she sat. A brush in one hand, a
great mass of silky curls in the other, her
head thrown back, her voice ringing out in
succession of good hearty '.ha has,
"What is the matter, Nellypn asked her
mother, standing smiling at the door.
go, was thinking of something so fun
nym cried Nell, springiug to her feet, and
plying the brush ''never mind, mother,
I've got d plan in my head, and if I decide
upon putting it into execution, I'll tell you
what it is.n
At breakfast pretty Nell was all smiles.
"Shall you 60 out shopping to-day ?H
asked her mother, glancing casually
towards her daughter.
On this, Nelly began to laugh again !;
then restraining herself on catching her
fathers eye, she answered, 81 havn't quite
made up my Rind-perhaps | may"
"Ah! contriving already how to make
| way with that fifty dollars Uncle Joe sent
you yesterday We'll, Nell make good use
OF it; there's many poor man would feel
like a prince these hard times, with fifty
dollars in his hand.n
"Ill try to sir" replied Nelly, her laugh
ing eyes growing more quiet in their ex-
preston.
"Who did you see last night, Nelly p
asked Mrs. Blossom, lounging over her tea
after the paterfamilias had gone out.
"Henry Lloyd and Charles Sheldon, as
usual" replied Nelly, archly.
"Were they both attentive?"
"As two shadows" replied Nelly. ellen
~ never looked more noble in his life"
Last time it was Charles" said Mrs
Blossom
Nelly blushed. II know" she said; 81
| find it difficult to choose between them, ]
| confess
Henry is the handsomest and the richest
of the firm.n said her mother, looking out
as mothers will do, for the main chance.
IL don't know about Henry's being the
handsomest," replied Nelly; ''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 a
more brilliant eve 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 seem more
attractive"
Both appear to have sterling quail
ties said Mrs Blossom.
"Yes, they appear to have but I'm 60
ing to test them to-day
What do you mean, NellyP"
''Oh that's what | was laughing at up
stairs, this morning." replied Nelly, in a
merry way "You see I've such a capital
! plan and I'm the very one to carry ii out,
think. l shall spend my fifty dollars on
poor Mills family"
"What wild freak now ?' asked the ma
turer Blossom of the two, looking wonder
ingly at her daughter. Dear easy little
woman, 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 I'M
posed any restraint upon her inclinations,
wayward or otherwise.
Don't you think Agnes rather a pretty
looking girl, mother?"
what, little Agnes, my dressing
maid p" rejoined the mother.
"Not so very little; about my size, l
believe" said Nelly.
"Well, what of her am all attention" ="
why you haven't answered my ques-
ton whether you thought she was pretty"
said Nelly.
80, yes pretty, rather" was the reply.
"Well, I'm going to dress her up splen-
didly ?"
"Nelym
am, truly, in the new bonnet ordered
yesterday, and my best ilounced silk. I'm
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 Bios
som; ''Nelly. you're crazy
Nowhere near it" said Nelly, laugh
ing again; I'm going to have real fun,
YOU may believe
but what object have you in this quite
foolish scheme ?" asked her mother.
30! you'll see," replied Nelly. I'm 60
ing now, and when Agnes is dressed, I'll
come down and exhibit her.
Agnes was pretty smart also. She was
very ignorant, but having been dressing,
maid in several good families, she had
picked up little smattering OF useful IN
formation. As for the rest, she was full
as handsome and nearly as graceful, when
she chose to be, as many lady OF iash-
ion.
"She entered into the scheme with spir-
If ..You are not to bny anything, you