National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1878-03-07

The Countess Dress.
Tho following "o'cr true tale" illustrates the
origin Of some modern fashions and shows how
things that are novel. however useless or ali
surd, arc liable TO b. considered nice IL dis
played by thosc in high position, and are sure
TO be apcd by todics.
Year ago. in the city of Paris, husband
and wife of noble birth might. have been seen
descending a stairway. Ny lady WIS simply
dressed in The then prevailing stylc-a skirt
Of nine Straight brcadths, short enough to clear
the ground gathered full and sgyn upon "a
plain round bodice. Having bCch come years
welded, my lOrd-aitPr the manner Of nen-
had grown somewhat careless, and hlundcr-
ingly trOl rron his wilr's dress, tearing ont
the gathers IN the rear, and ripping 1t from
the waist. ThCrcupOn his dutifml Spouse. IN u
fit Of passion hit him u savage whack with her
par,sol, breaking the handle of that useful
article.
"whpt shall we do now, yor brutc?" lie
said. with sob.
"Ill tell you, honey lovey." he replied. with
that cheerful attempt AZ cancellation peculiar
to husband, when they have hopClCS sly put
their foot in it -" drop YOU shawl down be-
low your waist, 81, covering the rent complete
ly, yon so, and there You are, rly roScy' p"-tT,
as good H. new
"lIow ridiculoua." she rioncd shedding
tears in sheets; Il shall look like fright.
boo-hon! and shall he sure 10 meet that odious
Lady Icullc q. the critical Lord Iit~poon"y
-hOo-hnp, ! shall never dare to appear upon
the streets again! on, hon-h0O! Won horrid
W.T. 'th N"h Nhi'rlluE monster sHh'' h''"t
talk ul the whole town.
N"II' Lazy MnliioA, II can h' h"lpe"' ana
we vc pui to get home some how rc"iaIt'n
the husband, with that sage philosupi" which
the married man knows so well how to assume.
WY new silk " mOancd the lady, wriuging
her hands: 1t will be ruined. The skirts viii
sweep on UiluiIcf'Ic MIN IL VIII "o 'v,dC't
WIN NINA hitl nut'shclls, anu t"b"rr" NlI'ir
and "u-t' ""h everything VA you H'"nhi,
""' person WI 90 stri'lSht 10 AhttltA an"
got " CiN"Icc. iou have ahnihlIhi'd me Tor
! vv,r
This desperate threat completely melted the
poor man. and he renewed his Efforts vt con-
ciIIltI"u. Nd1usting the shawl IN ia" manner
lie hGd proposed hc assured h"r thht inc rent
wa, C"n"Ilcd' ana inc ores looked a. II II was
made 50 On purpose. quite refreshing nov
city, IN fact. "Nud sec here. my love. lie
added, u am A. unfortunate IN YOU NrGrfe
how rrtculouS You have made TINS nat nat
! tring 1t al ont of shape with your paras"I'
III 1t looks Ike section OF l"aiS n5'h Nt"Ne-
| pipe. am ashamed 10 he seen III Inc street
with it,
| And this rar1sol,' she lamentrI; Tho
stick is broken oil nearly up to the sf4ir'
dave not <" without it, and II looks 50 absurd,
| Looping over like n damaged sunapwcr, that
| | shall he til" laughing stock oil the street
They were considerable distance from home
without their carriage, and IN portion OF the
city where public conv' yanccs ut that period
were lew. Then, the ludicroushc'S oi tn'lr
situation dawncd upon them, ana lhry
laughed long aud loud; this bHnShcd N"Na-
ton and restored them TO such good hnmor
that they became bold. Having Hnncd The
shawl securely So that no "hnhrc h'r2r should
DISPLAY the rent, tlty ui rChCt on into tho