The Portland daily press., 1878-02-09
From Harper's Bazar.l
The Brides Stockings.

Inc cardinal had enormous revenues and
spent fabulous sums in furnishing his art gal.
leries. No work of merit was ever offered
him in vain, and every traveller who has been
through his great palace in Rome can testify
how discriminating his Judgment was and
how unique his taste. The cardinal had a
niece, as all Rome knew. He had given her
rare opportunities for education-the best
masters in literature and art in constant at
tendance; and now, at the age of 20 years,
she was sought in marriage by prince. II
was well known she would be heavily dow
cred by her uncle. 1t was well known, too
that the princes estates were heavily encum.
bered, and he was naturally anxious to retain
his family possessions. He was, however,
young, accomplished, noble; the pretty Bea-
trice, who was of gentle, loving disposition,
was most happy in her engagement, and al
together it seemed fitting match. At any
rate, the old cardinal made no objections to
1t, and gave Beatrice carte blanche in the
matter OF trousseau, trusting, he said, to the
good taste and discretion that should attend
her finished education and perfect training
that her purchases would be in every way
suitable to the high station she was about to
I'LL. Beatrice kissed the dear old uncle with
efusion, and set about the business of the
trousseau, resolving, as she told the cardinal,
to make it worthy of a princess. The uncle,
.
Beatrice mia, we shall see if you know what
Is worthy of princess"
The cardinal, with all his generosity, had a
violent temper, was severe toward any one
who offended him, and implacable toward
those who violated his artistic or aesthetic
convictions. 1t was said that an unlucky
fellow, who once pertinaciously asked him to
buy some work of art that his eminence
thought unworthy of consideration had felt
vrai of hic aar1a fol Eat
ceeed, in short, that his eminence, though a
benefcent patron, was man whom it was
dangerous to offend. While he had been
kind and affectionate toward his Niece, he had
always governed her strictly, and, though pro-
viding for her literally, he provided nothing
but what seemed good in his own eyes, and
gave bis attention to the smallest details of
her life. Now that, for the first time, she
was left to her own judgment in an impor-
she did by having her bills sent to him in
person.
Beatrice gave out orders for the trousseau
In royal style, and gradually they began to
come in. Rich dresses all gorgeous with en-
broidery, laces rare and curious, wrought ex-
pressly for the fortunate bride, the finest
linens for underwear, and even jewels passed
unchallenged. But one day there came from
celebrated French mandatory bill that
aAooS VIZ Sokdihdi . OlQ ldCc WIlukl6 up lQGO
great many queer puckers-four dozen
pairs Of stockings at two hundred scudi per
pair. Nearly ten thousand scudi for stock.
ings! After an ejaculation not taken from
any OF the church offices, he sent in haste for
Beatrice. She came such vision of youth
and happiness as might melt any layman's
heart; but the churchman's heart was not to
be laid at any woman's feet; so it had but
little considers ton for her stockings.
"Beatrice, here is BILL"
Yes, uncle DEAR" as she slid down like
sunbeam, and shone up at biz: from low
stool at his feet.
"Stand up, Beatrice
She stood up, hands behind her, as when
she was little girl.
IA bill for-stockings."
'Yes, uncle"
"Four dozen pairs of stockings at two hun
dred scudi EACH"
SIS it too much P"
"Too much! It's the price Of this gem
that will live forever, and speak and teach
men as long as it lives" he said, taking up
an exquisite little picture that he had lately
bought. 1T Is the price of that beautiful
marble theresa beautiful it brought tears to
the eyes OF young Artist who saw it the
other day, and be went home and worked
the better for it. Too muchW and he nearly
fell into one of those calculations not out OF
the prayer-book, again.
Il only sent, uncle, for the finest-the very
finest stockings that could be made.n
bring the stockings here TO me.u
"Beatce obeyed, returning with a small
parcel. The cardinal ordered, "Open it,,
Trembling she opened it, and taking out a
pair OF stockings, slipped one of them over
her hand to show the fneness of the texture,
The cardinal slipped the other over his
hand.
"Now, why did you spend ten thousand
scudi for these cobwebs? or, more to the
point, what do you want of such things at
alp"
"Why, uncle, to cover my feet, to be
sure"
"But they don't cover your feet. They
are delicate as veil. | can see every blem-
ish on my hand through them. Now, then.
answer, what was your idea P' he questioned
sharply.
"If you please, uncle" his niece faltered,
you didn't object to the dresses, nor the
laces, nor the Jewels and
The dresses are beautiful, and lend state
nness 10 your presence; the laces are wrought
Win ART, ana VIII last long, and be curious
objects even when they are old. have
costly collection OF old laces that I prize.
jewels are not for the moment; they please
the eye for centuries. The abundance of
linens, soft and cool, accustom your touch
every day to what is soft and dainty. You
have thousand ornaments and trimmings,
odds and ends, ard pretty nothinss, that
make your fairness fairer. There's nobil-
lily In the extravaganza that can do any
thing for us-delight the eye, educate the
taste, elevate the senses-but extravaganza
that Is only for the sake of spending and
abusing is merely vulgarity."