South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-08-02
One Must Economize r
BY HELEN FOREST GRAVES.

F., teaity OOut KNOW WHAT Su3ll 10
about 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 her
mind lay ON chair opposite-a soiled
white silk dress. with the cores out of
fashion, wine stain on the front
breadth, and the long train bearing svi.
dences Of considerable wear.
mo, l really DON'T" continued Mrs.
Peveril. surveying the garment. with
her head on one side. "It's too passe to
wear, and yet it's too good to give away"
"Why don't you sell it?" said Miss
( Sally Siphon, briskly.
"Scll ;t2"
Mrs. Pcveril opened her blue eyes in
surprise.
YES" nodded Miss Sally. "People
often do. know very respectable
woman who makes a regular business of
buying ladies' cast-off dresses and she
gives you good price for EN-, and you
know that's so much toward q new one.
One must economic 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 Ior.
ace." said Miss Siphon, in q whisper.
Il WON'T" said Mrs. Peveril.
"Shall l send Mrs. Isaacs to you, my
dear?"
dol" said Mrs. Peveril.
Miss Sally Siphon took her leave. &C.
oordinglyi aud Mrs. Peveril folded up
the silk dress and laid it carefully away
in bureau drawer.
sits avery stylish looking dress yet"
said Mrs. Peveril to herself, "and l
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 a
profusinn Of greasy black hair, waved in
| stiff scollops over her forehead. She
wore dyed silk dress. an imitation In
dian shawl, and plated gold necklace,
witch locket as big as q tea saucer:
81 understand that you have some.
thing in my way. ma'am," said she,
courtseying and smiling. nM;ss Siphon
mentioned"
Yes said Mrs, Peveril. 81 white
silk dressp'
:'Dear me, ma am" said Mrs. Isaacs,
Il could have wished it had been black,
or garnet, or plumb color, or some o. them
neutral tints. White is the unsalablest
color as we has in stock, But I'll look
at it, ma'am. | never refuses anything
in the way of trade"
And Mrs. Isaacs 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 glance
at her eve: "old-fashioned, soiled, and q
good deal worn -
| The fashion is only year DID, said
Mrs. Peveril, feeling the color mount to
her face. 1T may be slightly soiled,
but have only worn it about dozen
times
IL knows lots of ladies as only wears
their dresses once or twice, and then
/ gives EN- to thoir maids" said Mrs.
isaacs. Then we can afford to pay q
good price for EN-"
"What will you give ne for this ?" in.
terrupted Mrs. Pevoril, shortly.
She was beginning TO be tired of the
discussion.
Il couldn't say more than ten dollars"
said Mrs. Isaacs, with another display
of The white teeth. "Ifit was plum color
or myrtle green"
Ten dollars - echoed Mrs. Peveril,
"but it cost a hundred"
when il was new" said Mrs. Isaacs.
but one can really get nothing for Sec
ond-hand goods. / shall lose on il Mt
ten dollars, but would like TO obtain
custom for the future, and"
take it," said Mrs. Peveril, abruptly.
She was almost sorry that she had sold
the dress when Mrs. Isaacs had court
seyed herself out Of the house, with the
bundle projecting itself beneath the imi-
tation shawl, and she was little 9sh9m-
ed. But there was the ten.dollar bill,
Sc she could have one Of those exquisite
IIoniton lace bibs, like Mrs. CHESTERFIELD
st. Johns with deep cuffs TO match.
"And I'll coax another white dress out
Of Horace" said she to herself. Good
ness me, wouldn't he he angry if he
knew had sold anything to one OF
those secondhand dealers1"
Dear !" said Mrs. Peveril TO her bus.
band that evening.
well. ducky~ responded the unsus-
piCious victim.
II want n new white silk dress TO
wear 70 Mrs. Jennings'5 reception next
week"
Mr.. Peyeril put down the newspaper,
and twisted himself around in the easy
chair TO obtain better view OF his wife's
smiling face.
Another white silk dross r. said he.
"WEy. you've got one already, haven't
your"
ooh, that's worn out long ago"
promptly responded Mrs, PeveriI.
Times are hard, RoSabel," said Dir.