The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-28
CAN'T AFFORD IT.

"I ten you, Uncle Josh, I can't affor,
| it,. Girls nowadays are SO extravagant
| that it fairly territies man contemplat
ing matrimony. There is your favorite
| Miss Hartley; she declared to me, II
strictest confidence, last evening, tina
she couldn't imagine how any one coult
exist without the opera. Aud not 9
week ago l know of her mentioning al
India shawl as O positive necessity fol
a lady's wardrobe"
"Mere girlish exaggeration, VIII. She
has always had rich father to pay he,
bills"
"And naturally will expect rich hus
band to do the same. If had Mr.. Hart
ley's bank account, the matter would b,
different; but though my salary is good
my income independent of that is small
II l provide India shawls and oper;
tickets without limit to the future Mrs
Stanton, l can scarcely meet expenses
if do not actually run in debt. Now
am quite resolved to save little every
year till l own home, and can start in
business for myself"
GA good wife would help you, WILL"
"But where is she to lbe toundr
Uncle Josh chuckled little at the idea
of his giving information on the subject
and the gentlemen having finished theil
preparations for departure started fol
their place of business.
Uncle Josh was the cashier, and hi
nephew the clerk, in large dry goods
store, but the elder gentleman possessing
ample means, employed his time, moi
from necessity, but from horror of idle
ness. He boarded, as did his nephew, at 8
fashionable clearinghouse in Brooklyn
crossed the ferry every morning for the
store in New York.
Handsome, well conducted and wei
educated, Will Stanton was favorite in
society, and the fact that his bachelor
UNCLE was fond of him was 40 draw back
to his popularity. Many girlish hear,
Josh was quite eloquent on the charms
of matrimony, and home for Will
where he might share the domestic Cir
Gle.
On the morning when the gentlemen
held the conversation recorded above,
VIII found his services required as 9
salesman, owing to the illness of one Of
the men in the silk department. He had
served in the same capacity before,
though he held more lucrative posi-.
tion In the counting-house; but stepping
behind the counter he found already a
few fair customers in the store. Two
ladies, young and pretty, required his
services at once.
"Evening silks, If you please" said
one, tall, very stylish-looking girl,
dressed in exquisite taste, and with rich
garments. "ShOw me some Of the new
shades"
Several pieces of the shining fabric
were unrolled, and Will noted the tact
that both ladies seemed equally inter-
ested in the choice of a dress. But the
of the stylish girl who had
first spoken was far more quiet than her
friend, in voice, manner and dress; while
every detail OF her neat walking suit was
perfect in finish, fitting her eXquisitely,
and was tasteful and simply elegant.
WHIPS experienced eyes told him that
the cost was less than half of the COM
panlol's, and yet she seemed equally
we'll dressed, setting aside that one item
of expense. A cloth cloak instead of a
velvet; dress Of fine French poplin, in
stead of silk; collar and cuffs OF en-
broidered linen, instead oil real lace; kid
gloves of dark serviceable tint instead
of pale buff ones, and furs less expensive
then the real ermine of ber friend, all lett
q large balance in her favor, while her
appearance was lady-liKe and refined.
"Oh, Vinnie," said her companion,
"this shade Of sage will suit you perfect
ly. l am not tair enough to wear it, but
it is a lovely tint for a blonde. DON'T
look any further for silk" ~,
81 am not goingto get new silk, Mar
cia."
'Not get new silk for Mrs. Hartley's
party? Why, Vim, it will be one of the
most dressy occasions of the season.
You have never been at one OF Floy
Hartley's partiesW
"No; Miss Hartley is recent acquain-
tance."
"Then take my advice and get a hand
some dress. You have no idea how much
they dress there"
81 can't afford it, Marcia"
"Oh, nonsenseW
"But it is fact. ] have been out 80
much this winter thatm allowance will
not last me- until spring unless am
very economical"
"Ask for more; l never pretend to
keep within my allowance"
IL am saving for a new piano, and l
can not afford any extravaganza"
''But what will you wearW :,
81 have new white organdie that
Aunt Kate gave me last summer, that l
did not need, so it has not been made up.
l shall make it SO that it will serve me
afterWard as au evening Dress"
go Vim! Vim! AS if your father would
not give you twenty new dresses ii you
asked tor themw
know he would, but he gives me a
liberal allowance, and find Insufficient,
with a margin for saving"
All the above conversation carried on
in low tone was apparently unheard by
the smiling clerk, whose quick ear had,
however, caught every word of it. He
looked again at the sweet-faced little
lady, resolving that Floy Hartley should
introduce him at the party for which his
card of invitation had already been re-
ceived.
sCome, Winnie, give me the benefit OF
your taste," said Marcia; ~ am tired of
all the bright colors that suit my In
dian style OF beauty. Is there not one
of those delicate tints that l could
wearW
'sThe peach blossom, Marcia, with
black lace. If you will come over will
show you a new fold tor trimming"
ooh, Madame B will make it up
never make an evening
dress, do your"
81 make all my dresses. l took les
sons of a first-rate dressmaker on pur-
pose."
s'You like the peach-blossom
81 do," boldidg it against her compan-
IONS shoulder. at is certainly becom-
ing. Not SO glaring as a pink, but as
pretty. Your black lace overdress will
n