Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-04-30
some Must EcOnOmize -
BY HELEN FOREST GRAVES.

II really don know what shall do a.
bout it." said Mrs. Peveril.
She was sitting on the arm of pink
and white chintz sofa, in her own room,
confidentially displaying the treasures
of her wardrobe to Miss Sally Siphon,
who had been her bridesmaid Just two
years ago. And the particular article
which inspired so much doubt in hel
mind lay on a chair opposite-a soiled
white silk dress, with the cores out ol
fashion, wine stain on the front
breadth, and the long train bearing evil
dences of considerable wear.
No, I really DON'T" continued Mrs.
Peveril, surveying the garments, with
her head on one side. "It's too posse to
wear, and yet it's too good to give away
"Why don't you sell it ?" said Miss
Sally Siphon, briskly.
"Sell it?"
Mrs. Peveril opened her blue eyes in
surprise.
"Yes,n nodded Miss Sally. "People
often do. l know very respectable
woman who makes regular business Of
buying ladies' cast off dresses and shs
gives you a good price for 'em, and you
know that's so much toward a. new one
One must economize in these hard
times"
"Oh, that would be charming!" said
Mrs. Peveril. "But-but I'm afraid
Horace wouldn't like it."
"Don't say anything about it to Hor.
ace," said Miss Siphon, in whisper.
II WON'T" said Mrs. Peveril.
"shall I send Mrs. Isaaos to you, my
dear?"
IDOL" said Mrs. Peveril.
Miss Sally Siphon took her leave, ac
cordingly; and Mrs. Peveril folded ur
the silk dress and laid it carefully away
in bureau drawer.
"It's very stylish-looking dress yet, y
said Mrs PeVaril to herself, 'sand ]
shouldn't wonder if got decent price
for it."
Mrs. Isaacs made her appearance that
afternoon-a blowsy, over-dressed wo-
man, with small, twinkling eyes, and q
profusion of greasy black hair, waved in
stiff seollops over her forehead. She
wore dyed silk dress, an imitation In.
dian shawl, and plated gold necklace
with a loeket as big as tea saucer.
II understand that you have some
thing in my way, ma'am," said she
courtseying and smiling. .'Miss Siphon
mentioned"
"Kes,n said Mrs. Peveril, "a white
silk dress ~
"Dear me, ma'am," said Mrs. Isaacs
II could have wished it had been black
or garnet, or plum color, or some o. them
neutral tints. White is the unsalables,
color as we has in stock. But I'll look
at it, ma'am. I never refuses anything
in the way of trade, ''S
And Mrs. lsaacs seated herself without
an invitation, smiling until she seemed
all white teeth and red lips, while Mrs
Peveril brought out the deprecated silk
dress.
"Oh," said Mrs. Isaacs, with glass
at her eye; "old fashioned, soiled, and q
good deal worn!"
"The fashion is only year DID," said
Mrs. Peveril, feeling the color mount te
her face. lit may be slightly soiled
but I have only worn 1t about dozen
times"
II knows lots of ladies as only wears
their dresses once or twice, and then
gives 'em to their maids" said Mrs
Isaacs. ''Then we can afford to ray 8
good price for lem = pa
HWhat will you give me for this? ?" In
terrupted Mrs. Peveril, shortly.
She was beginning to be tired of The
discussion.
II couldn't say more than ten dollars. )
said Mrs. Isaacs, with another display
of the white teeth. eff it was plum colol
or myrtle green { All
''Ten dollars! !" echoed Mrs. Peveril
"but it cost hundred"
"When it was new" said Mrs. Isaacs
''but one can really get nothing for sec
ond-hand goods. shall lose on it 6;
ten dollars, but would ike 10 obtain
cqatQm fas the futufe, and, =" ~ -
r.Take it, said Mrs. Peveril abrupt
w.,
She was almost sorry that she had sole
the dress when Mrs. Isaacs had court
lseyed herself out of the house, with tn,
bundle projecting itself beneath the imi
tation shawl, and she was little asham
ed. But there was the ten-dollar bill
and she could have one of those exouisit
HOniton lace bibs, like Mrs. Chester
field st. Johns with deep cuffs to match
"And I'll coax another white dress gu
of Horace said she to herself. '"Good
ness me, wouldn't he be angry if he knew
I had sold anything to one Of those sec
ond-hand dealers?" =
TX \
"Dear!' a said Mrs. feyerril feygerll! toQ, to, her hus
We'll, dncky ~ responded the unsus
piciohs victim.
ST. want "a new white silk dress tC
wear to Mrs. Jennings's reception mex
week.
Mr.. Peveril put down the newspaper
and twisted himself around in the eas
chair to obtain better view Of his wifd'
smiling face. u - y '''' -
uAnothar white silk dress !" said he
"Why, you've got one already, haven
"Oh, that's worn out long ago,
promptly responded Mrs. Preveril.
"Times are hard, Rosabel," said MI
Peveril, impressiyely,