Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-08-31
A STRUGGLE FOR APPEAR
ANCE.

8 HAVE tickets for the concert to-
night, Annie" said James Henley
coming into the sitting-room, where
his wife was working the sewing-ma-
chine with a busy whirr.
g Oh, James, how [ wish I could
.gor'
The light died away from the hus-
bands face in a second.
Wish you could go, Annie! Why,
Of course you can 60"
g can't, James. [ must finish these
three dresses before Sunday, and it
will take every minute"
''Three dresses ?''
: For Jennie, Susan and Lottie. All
the spring things are ready but these
dresses"
But this is only Wednesday,"
:" know, James, but look at the
work. There are overskirts to each,
and ruffies on all the waists. Jennie's
has three tlounces. All the children
in the congregation are well-dressed,
James. You cannot afford to put the
sewing out, SO l must do it,
LET the children dress more sim
ply, then. Come, Annie, stop that
buzz for once, and come to this con-
cert"
Cant you go?'
And leave you? / should not en-
joy it, if | knew you were stitching
here. Come"
With heavy sigh, as if James were
eXacting sacrifice instead of giving
her pleasure, Annie left the room,
and went to her own apartment to
dress for the concert.
All through the evening. while her
husband drank in the sweet sounds
in which he delighted, Annie, with
here face all polite interest, was think
ing Of the unfinished work.
"Was it not delightful" James
said, as they walked home in the soft
spring moonlight.
delightful! [ am glad I went,
James; Mrs. Gordon had on her new
spring dress, and ner dresses all
come from London. The trimming
on her basque is quite new style, and
[ am sure [ can put Jennie's on in the
same way"
Sunday morning shone clear and
cloudless. Mrs. Henley had put the
last stitch into Lottie's dress as the
clock struck twelve, and she Weakened
with pain in her chest and headache,
but feeling of triumph. Her chill
dren would wear their new things,
that had cost nothing but the mate
rial. Nothing! Mrs. Henley did not
estimate the hours spent over the ma
chine, the WEAKNESS, the neglect of
many little duties. There has been no
actual money laid out in dress-making,
SO it was clear gain on the material.
Very pretty the children looked
when they were ready for church.
Jenny and Susan, twins of ten years
old, were dressed alike, in delicate
pearl color, trimmed with blue, and
hats of the newest shape and blue rib
bons. Lottie wore cerise color, with
cerise trimming, for Lottie was bru-
nette of seven.
The charges at starting for Sunday
school were:
" BE sure you lift your overskirts
when you sit down; don't lean back
upon the Streamers of your hats, and
walk where you will not spoil your
light boots. Don't strain your gloves"
" Overdressed, Annie" remarked
Mr.. Henley. Your own dresses are
not more elaborate
1t is the fashion now to cut child
ren's dresses like ladies'. But YOU
ought to be proud of your child
rem, James. Everybody compliments
me upon the taste with which dress
them
Anniel Mr.. Henley said, sudden
", leading his wife to a mirror. slook
at your own face"
" Well" she said, wondering what
he could mean.
: our cheeks are as white as chalk
there IS heavy line under your eyes,
and your whole air is that of woman
worked to DEATH
James, what nonsenseI'
1T is not nonsense. [ wish it was.
Five years ago you had the complexion