Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-04-09

YOU will never know where to stop. You
could easily spend all your husbands
salary in dress, and then not keep up
with the demands of the times"
"I am sure James can afford me
new silk. 1t will not &C st much"
"Do not think of it, child. Be pru-
dent, careful and contented, and when
James is rich, you may do different.
Mrs. Bradley was satisfied, after con-
siderable more demonstration on the
part of her mother, that she could get
along without the new silk. But it was
hard to give. up the idea of competing
with Mrs. Farmer, whose husband was
no better off than hers.
CHAPTER II.
James Bradley and John Farmer were
clerks in large house in the city, and
both resided in neat little cottage In
the suburbs. Their fortunes had been
thus far very much the same and per
haps they might have continued the
same through life, but for the different
character of their wives.
Mrs. Bradley had been brought up
to live within her means. A careful
mother, who realized the responsibility
of her position, had rigidly inculcated
the principles of a sound economy, and
trained her up to habits of prudence
and thrift. And all these practical
qualities she had brought with her into
her domestic relations, when she en-
barked in new sphere of life.
Mrs. Farmer, on the other hand.
though her parents were no better off
in the world, had brought her up to be
a lady-to wear fine dresses, and play
the piano in the parlor. Her knowledge
and experience of householy duties was
very narrow and super fetal, and her
husbands thousand dollars year would
hardly support them. They were
obliged, in order to dress her as her
habits and wishes required, to " scrimp"
in many of the real comforts of life. The
provision bill was kept at the lowest
possible figure. Mrs. Farmer thought
beefsteaks were unhealthy in the morn
ing. and John found it necessary to be
of her opinion. Six dollars a season for
ice would buy new bonnet hence ice
was the cause of great many COM
plants that prevailed in summer.
The comforts of living were sacrificed
to the Injuries of dress. Beefsteak at
twenty cents a pound was unhealthy ;
but new bonnets at ten dollars piece
were necessaries of life. Mutton-chops
at fifteen cents pound caused the dys-
pepsia, but silk dresses at dollar and
a half yard, were not only healthy,
but indispensable to the happiness of
the lady.
All the salary was spent was intend
ed to be spent-and the only question
was whether it should be put in the
body or on the body. The habit of OK
travagance was there, and all the thrift
and economy which Mrs. Farmer knew,
was to save money for new dresses.
She and Mrs. Bradley were on init
mate terms with each other, and. as
may be readily supposed, the subject
of dress was frequently discussed.
A few days after the conversation of
Mrs. Bradley with her mother, her
neighbor was making "call." Mrs.
Farmer could talk of nothing but dress.
1t was the study of her life-what she
lived for-what she most hoped for In
the future. As usual, the conversation
Immediately degenerated into dress-it
was all Mrs. Farmer knew.
"How do you like my new raw silky
asked she, after several adroit passes,
in order to introduce this matter.
at is very pretty, indeed. You come
out in a new dress almost every Sunday,
Ellen" replied Mrs. Bradley.
81 wish I could"
81 wonder how many nice dresses
you have in your wardrobe ?"
Il have only one that is fit to wear,
replied Mrs. Farmer, indifferently.
"Only one ]"
"That is fit to wear anywhere.
"You have at least three silks.
"All Observation-Disclosures last fall
and all out of date. 1 tried to make
John give me berage, but he would
not"
81 am sure if / had your dresses, /
should think / were a Princess.
"Pshaw If my husband don't give
me another next week, 1 shant go to
church but once a month.
eff l had your dresses, Ellen, ]
should not think of another, for year,
at least"
"Why don't you dress better, Sarah?'
''I can't afford to do so"
"Pooh y
"My mother thinks I dress well
enough"
"Why, you have worn the same dress
to meeting every Sunday for year."
land probably shall wear it every
Sunday for the next year."
"I wouldn't, if l were you"
81 can't afford a new dress every
month. / was speaking the other day
about having one more dress, but moth
er said so much against it, that gave
up the idea.
"Tied to your mothers apron-strine
yetp' sneered Mrs. Farmer.
81 am too thankful to get my moth
er's advice to reject it.
But get the raw-silk, do it viii
become you so well /; and then We shall
have little respite from that everlast
ing fawn color"
"No, have made up my mind no
to have it.
''Put the money into your stomach
instead, and get the dyspepsia into til
bargain" said Mrs. Farmer, as she too
her leave