Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-05-01
The Dress, Not the Lady.
ny MARY A. DENNisoN.

avn sure uODuly cOuiu tel, lOf suc Ndh hlVuti
neither reading, singing, or talking to herself.
She had been occupied in combing her beau
| tful hair, and this was the situation in which
she sat. A brush in one hand, great mass
Of silky curls in toe other, her head thrown
back, her voice ringing out in succession Of
good hearty ba, has
whit is the matter, Nelly 20 asked her
mother. standing smiling at the door.
" Oh | was thinking Of something so
funny :" cried Nell, springing to her feet,
aud plying the brush never mind, mother,
I've got a plan in my head, and if decide
upon putting il into execution, I'll tell you
what it is"
At breakfast pretty Nelly was all smiles.
" Shall you 20 out shopping to-day 2''
asked her mother glancing casually towards
her daughter
On this, Nelly began to laugh again then
restraining herself on catching her father
eye, she answered, " haven't quite made mp
my mind-perhaps | may
"Ah coniriyiug already how to make way
with that fifty dollars Uucle Joe sent you
yesterday Well, Nell, make good use OF
it there's many poor man would feel like
prince these hard times, with fifty dollars
in his hand,
an try to sir" replied Nelly, her laugh
ing eyes growing more quiet in their express
sion.
Who did you see last night, Nelly p
asked Mrs Blossom, lounging over her tea
after the paterfimlias had gone out.
" Henry Lloyd aud Charles Sheldon, a'
Iusaul :" REPLIED Nelly. archly
We're they both attentive ?''
As two shadows, replied Amy. Henry
never looked more noble in his life -
4" Last time it was Charles said Mrs
/ Blossom.
Nelly bushed " know" she said "
dnd it difficult to choose between them,
confess"
" Henry is the handsomest aud the richest
Of the firm" said her mother looking out, as
mothers will DO, for the main chance.
." | don't know about Henry's being the
bandsomest replied Nelly; there is some.
thing very superior about Charles Sheldon
face, but he is 50 very retiring one has tc
give him 50 much margin To be sure
Henry is more dashing might be called more
elegant, and has certainly more brilliant eve
and color. Perhaps he dresses in rather bet.
ter taste but although he pleases me more
in company, there is something iu Charles
Sheldon's quiet way and deep eye that some
times seems more attractive
Both appear to have sterling qualities
said Mrs. Blossom.
Yes, they appear to have; but I'm going
to test them to-day"
" What do you mean, Nelly ?"
Oh that's what was laughing at up
stairs, this morning. replied Nelly, in a mer.
rs way. " You see We such a capital plan
aud ln the very one to carry it out, think.
[ shall spend my fifty dollars on poor Mills
family"
What wild freak now ?' asked the ma
turer Blossom of the two, looking wonder
iugy at her daughter. Dear, easy little
woman, Nelly had not much to fear from any
interference on her part 1t was well that
the young girl naturally possessed much dis
erection, good sense and good judgment, for
her mother had never imposed any restraint
upon her inclina,ions, wayward or otherwise
Don't you think Agnes rather pretty
/ looking girl, mother p
What, little Agnes my dressiug-maid ~
rejoined her mother.
=" Not so very little about my size, be.
ieyc," said Nelly
Well what Of herr | am all attention
Why, you haven't answered my question
whether YOU thought she was pretty" said
Nelly.
Oh, yes pretty, rather" was the reply
Well, I'm going to dress her up splen.
didly :"
"Nelly 80
am, truly, in the new bonnet ordered
Yesterday, aud my best founced silk I'm
| lost going to load her with chains, rings
bracelets. and everything handsome and
then I'm going shopping with her.
Nonsense :" calculated the elder Bios.
som e" Nelly. you're crazyl"
Nowhere near it," said Nelly laughing
again &" am going to have real fun, you
may believe"
But what object have you in this quite
foolish scheme ?" asked her mother.
"Oh you'll see, replied Nelly. 3" I'u
going now. and when AGNES is dressed III
come down and exhibit her"
Agne, was prettv and smart also. Sh,
was very ignorant. but having been dressing
maid in several good families, she had pickeC
up little snattering of useful information
As for the rest. she was full as handsome anC
nearly as graceful, when she chose to be, a
many lady of fashion.
She entered into the scheme with spirit
You are not to buy anything, you know,
said Nelly. as she turned waiting.maid, clasp
ed on the bracelets and aided her 10 dressing
q" but ask for such and such silks, speak in al
ordering, commanding way, you know, anC
manage somehow to show your money Oh
| have it, carry it in this purse; the golC
will shine through the meshes beautifully"
"Aud what shall you wear ?" asked Agnes
surveying herself in the long mirror, with