New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-04-26
THE THREE POSTCARDS,


lived in q small detached villa, situated in
the outskirts Of q town which we shall call
Dumblewitch. Mrs. Brewster was the
widow Of q barrister; one of her brothers
was an Admiral of the Red, and another
had pretty estate in an adjoining county;
but stall, notwithstanding these claims to
gentility, che often found it puzzling mat
ter to make the two ends meet. A should.
or Of mutton, no matter how it was eked
ont in hashes or minces, with sippets of
tOasts and boiled rice, could not possibly
be made to last Mrs. Brewster, her two
daughters, and her maid, longer than four
days. She watched its rapidly decreasing
Dimensions with dismay; for were not
Thursdy, Friday and Saturday still to be
provided for, and breakfast suck price.
A. for the two girls, Bella and Rosie, they
had quite enough to do to look after their
clothes; they must appear like other people,
and boots and ehoes did wear out alarming.
fast, and they certainly could not make
them. 1t was comparatively easy to turn
out Rosie respectably, for she was small
ana slight, and Q cheap remnant went q
long way toward smarting her up; but
Bella-ah, yes indeed! there was the tug of
war: Bella was not only tall, but she had
good broad, shoulders and an ample, we'll
developed figure, and it was of no use to try
TO cover her up with skimpy jackets and
and badly made bodies; all the defects and
deficiencies Of the garments would stare out
with startling and painful distinctness,
beila's very projections, her height, her up.
right carriage, her tendency to embonpont,
al Of which would set off good Dress onlv
IL sde shabby clothes look still more re-
markedly and strikingly shabby: 80 one
day there was nothing for Mrs Brewster to
DO but to throw herself back in her chair
nd exclaim:
mo, Bella. my dear, really can not let
You 20 out in the streets such figure as
u am sure, mamma" answered Bella.
ruefully-"l am sure can't help my things
wearing out"
q! know you can't my dear; but still l |
wish You were as easily dressed as Rosie. |
She got her last spring alpaca dress dyed |
the other day, and 1t really. looks wonder.
fully well; now on you all the streaks would |
i ssSE sssTi0ly' you are SO very remarkable
"Yes, that's just II; REESE 10 90 small she
easily passes IN q crowd, ard no one oh. |
serves her much; but it is q different thing
with me, because am tall, and perbaDs q
little stout. Well, IT'S not my fault. 1 sup
pose ! must only 60 down to Smiths, and
see what he has got. He has Just bought
bankrrPts stock Of goods; all the papers
shouldn't wonder if might pick up q new
costume for next to nothing"
Nm. Brewster sighed. Those ready made
mp things wont answer for you, Pm afraid,
said she. "There il never enough of mate,
rial" But at the same time che took out
her purse and extracted from it two sover-
eigns. which she gave to her eldest born,
bringing back the right change.
In about IN hour Bella and Rosie re-
turned, radiant with glee. Bella had bought
. lovely ecru costume, all trimmed with
BLUM lace, for the surprisingly low sum of
one pound eleven shillings and ninepence
haif-penny. Never had such . bargain been
seen; it was really handsome, aud would
nst suit Bella, who absolutely required
handsome things. But Mrs. Brewster sighed
again as she put the eight shillings and two
pence halt penny, which WAS all that re-
named OF the two sovereigns, into her | !
wei-worn purse. bella, my dear" said |
'he, there is no use talking any more about
o yon really must bring Mr.. Simpson to
;. Now, aword must be said as to who Mr.. 8
simpson was. Mr.. Jacob Simpson was in | I
he national bank-head of his department.
ND supposed to be in the receipt of G6OO |
n .t1OO year. He was nervous. fidgetv.
usey ana cautious, rather small in stature. | q
Nth thin spindle legs and arms, a narrow | '
hest ana general air of skimpiness about g
im, as II he had not too much blood or
1usCie, Ut inueed TOO much Of anything. | d
lis SKIN was OF saffron hue; he had pale,
,anty hair of . feeble dun. color, He al. y
avs wore frock coat in the mornin gs. and n
ked to be thought business man. He a
as anxious to please every one; and
rough none of the stronger sex would listen Il
his opinions with any sort of Differences. a
1t he could generally command an audience q
nOng the fairer portion of the community, al
ii ho BOD for = hon, % L. ~ l :
unded by band of ladies who would an | Il
al to him. and say. What do you think b.
,out it, Mr.. Simpson Z" And then. with Il
uch solsmnity. he would proceed to I'M "
ID his pet idees ON the fearful progress of u
,ualisrl, on the Ashantee war, or On Mr.. hi
adstone's fxtureB .poliey.s About fuur it
ars before our steE oommcAcse he'had y
y 409 B6alA BrU1ster at aquiet <ea 4 re
rty, and ever sincA he had devoted him th