The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-05-26
"A Mothers Lesson.
IS A RE you not sorry that father has

80 RE you not sorry that father has
IA gone away to stay over night,
Alice? ?" said one of Mrs. Montgomery's
children to his sister. Z" 1t rains so that no
one will call; and now mother will wear
that faded wrapper all day. 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 u.s."
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 the children, and arose to take
survey of herself in the looking-glass, 1t
was not livery 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
Nhu hOOhj Sdiu AllOO' OuI Sll0 1911 U nan
so pleasant as our mother" she added 10y
ally, "if she does look 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 tri-
he."
Mrs. Montgomery's spirit was quite stir
red. She would not allow such rival, she
said to herself, if she could eclipse her.
You shall be disappointed about tho
old wrapper, for once. Mr.. Philip" she
added smiling, so she took a soft bright
Dress just the thing to enliven dull day.
Then she pulled 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-
tions to the toilet changed her whole ap-
woman's toilet, and yet how small, often is
the cost A simple knot of violet or Grim
son velvet will make dull dress look
bright and even elegant AS great
painter said, "trifes make perfection, but
perfection is no trifle."
Mrs Montgomery's face wore brighter
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 admiration that greeted her.
1t is not often that compliments are sincere
and heartfelt 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 man.
ma ?' they asked directly.
"No, dears, am going to sew on the
machine all day; so we can have nice time
together"
Little Alice hung over her chair min
ute, admiringly, and fingered her buttons,
as she said, with smile of deep content in
her eyes:
A" You look nice, mamma"
Mrs. Montgomery smiled as she thread
ed 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 eclips-
ed her rival.
"I'll 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 plea
sure. 1t made excellent Innings for new
one, and is often preached its old sermon
over, as it hung, wrong side out in the
closet.