The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1874-07-02
The Faded Wrapper.

!
; gone away to stay over night, Alice Z?
said one of Mrs. Montgomery's children
: to his sister. at rains so that no one
will call, and now mother will wear that
faded wrapper all day. I heard her tell
Barbara she should have a good long day
for sewing She doesn't think it worth
while to set even the dining-room table
just for US.
Don't you wish she would spill ink
on that dress, Philip" was the answer
Then she wouldn't wear it any more,
No indeed, don't want it any worse
for she would wear it just the same
rainy days and when papa is away"
Now mamma in the next room, heard
this discussion of her children, and arose
to take a survey of herselfin the looking
glass. 1t was not a very pleasing picture
that the polished surface gave back to
her view
Now Harry Warren's mother" said
Philip, "is always dressed nicely, any
time of day"
"She wears such pretty bows on her
hair and neck" said Alice. "But she
isn't half so pleasant as our mother she
added loyalty, 'if she does look so much
prettier''
The mothers eyes glistened as she
looked down on the old wrapper.
"To be compared to aunt Warren" she
| thought, "and by my own children, too
| Who would have thought they were such
sharp little things? They notice every
| trifie"
Mrs. Montgomery's spirit was quite
stirred. She would not allow such a ri
val, she said to herself, if she could
eclipse her
You shall be disappointed about the
old wrapper for once, Mr.. Philip" she
added smiling, SO she took soft bright
dress, just the thing to enliYen dull
day Then she puffed her hair in her
prettiest style, and proceeded to dress
herself with unusual care. The delicate
lace collar was adorned with bow of
palest pink and her hair was tied back
with ribbon to match
1t is wonderful how these simple addi-
tlons to the toilet changed her whole APP
pearance. A little taste does much for
woman's toilet, and yet how small often
is the cost. A simple knot of violet or
crimson velvet will make a dull dress
look bright and even elegant. As great
painter said, "trifes make perfection, but
perfection is no trihe"
Mrs. Montgomery face wore bright
er look than usual that day, as she
entered the nursery. Her dress had |
actually raised her spirits; but she was
hardly prepared for the burst of admira-
ton that greeted her. It is not often |
that compliments are sincere and heart
felt as were those of her little ones that
day. But her children's tones quickly |
changed to one of anxiety
Are you going away anywhere, mann |
map they asked directly - -
No, dears, am going to sew on the |
machine all day; so we can have a nice
time together"
I, L. Il
ute, admiringly, and fingered her buttons
as she said, with smile of deep content
in her eye:
you look nice, mamma"
Mrs: Montgomery smiled, as she
threaded the needle of her machine,
while Philip added, proudly:
"She looks nicer than Harry's mother,
even when she has her silk dress on"
That was reward enough; she had
eclipsed her rival
Ell remember this days lesson" said
the mother in her own heart; and she
did remember it.
The rainy day dress was doomed, and
they helped to rip it up with sincere
pleasure. 1t made excellent Innings for
a new one, and it often preached its old
sermon over as it hung, wrong ride out,
in the closet.
Mothers, when you allow yourselves
slovenly ways among the little ones, in
the seclusion of the nursery, remember
there's child there "a takin' notes"
Those notes will be read even when
your head lies low. Of all the bright
pictures that hang on memory's wall,
there is none to me so fair as a sweet
loving mother, whose appearance was
always neat and tasteful, even in working
dress. Children may love an untidy
mother, after fashion, but they can
never respect her. She cannot keep the
hold on them in after years that one of
the opposite habits possesses. Besides,
if you are untidy yourself, they will
probably grow up to initiate you. Don't
neglect the details of dress, that adds so
much to appearance, because there will
be mo one about but the children"