National Republican., 1878-04-11
Lichen for Spring.

How they vie with each other those cum
ming dry.goods men, with their dainty array
Of spring styles, their tempting bands of en,-
broidery, so maryelously cheap that one invo!.
UNFAIRLY signs to think Of the poor compensa-
tion for which they must have wrought
those deft fingers across the ocean. And the
pretty gloves, laid coquettishly OH fans whose
downy beauty or ivory elegance moves each
womanly soul to covetous longings, not TO
speak Of tho lingerie cuffs, collars, bows,
sleeves, ribbons, and what not, jOstling each
other in studied contrast and the charming
robes, delicate percaes, lovely lawns, and
soft.tinted fabrics that reach your heart and
go through your pocket at the same time.
Are You woman OF limited means but good
taste? You will be careful TO avoid the business
thoroughfares Of the city during these early
spring days or go walking without your purss,
for there are a thousand snaros in wait for
you, aud you can no more escape them all
than you can fly or coin lawful money, and
you know that way down in your secret heart
you have sometimes wished you could. These
temptations assail your pocket through your
eyes, your nose, your palate; YOU bcstow but
single thought upon the shccny folds Of 'hat
rich silk in the window, for YOU do not covct
it nor the bcwildering lace beside it both ara
out Of your reach, and you have too much
good sense 10 want dress or shawl that would
jeopardize your reputation, SO you enjoy and
look at them with something akin to the emo
tion awakened by the brilliancy Of the evening
star or the beauty of our own moonlight nights.
Half dozen steps farther on, and milliner's
plate glass windows invite your willing eye.
What buds and leaves and roses You truly
smell those violets, and the lilies Of the valley
breathe whole volumes Of the romance that
may be felt but never written.
How perfectly those ribbons match the
sprays Of flowers and that hat-not one Of the
flowers and silk.laden monstrosities which
disfgurs the showcases Of nine and half
tenths Of the fashionable milliners resident of
Washington, but dainty chip of delicate
shade, with q circlet of brown and pearl
hued leaves! You surrender at once; that hat
is just the thing for you, and you purchase it
for-well, 1t really is nobody's business what
you have paid for 1t, only 1t Is rather provok-
ing to have that hat up stairs all the season.
and not dress suitable to wear with it, plain
as 1t looks. All madame, beware Of those
imported hats for the Old Serpent himself Is
not more guileful with their deceptive sim
plicity they seem to suit any costume till they
arc put on with 1t, and then they have a way
Of staring unpretending dresses aud economi-
cal polonaises entire out Of countenance and
making the wearer ridiculous. Mayhap you
were not too greatly tompted; confident in the
ability Of your old Leghorn to stand
another pressing" you admire, regret, and
turn your gaze upon other articles not abso-
lutely necessary to your toilet, but which you
are acutely conscious would enhance its effect
upon your general appearance. You shake
your head at these and pass on with the stoi-
cism of au anchorite, only TO fall into tempta-
tOn again, prostrated by the odOr from for
lists windows and dOOrs-shade of Flora EN-
treating with callas, tulips, magnolias, pinks.
vcrbenas, carnations tuberOses, yiolcts, azaleas,
primroses, japonicas, shrubs, ivies, baskets Of
the freshest, greenost moss, filled with cling
ing vines, bright with every variety of ger
anium, all the dainty sorts which are your
especial favorites, pots Of mignonette and
heliotrOpe; you want SO many you cannot
choose; you dare not begin to purchase; you
do not smile this time, you scarcely sec for
the mist which seems to eNudG from tho COW
ctcd plants; you pass on once more and
you walk faster now. The next millineI s stock
has no attraction for you. When did artificial
flowers ever look like real ones, 1t is a
shame not to be able to have even flowers
when one wants them You vow vengeance
on your half dozen heus and their broOds.
What are chickens good for but to scratch
out Of the ground, aud keep tho
back yard in state Of, tab. that delightful
breeze watts ou its wings the fragrance of
tropical fruits; you think Of tho children, aud
uyoluntarily turn toward the wagon, you are
lost The huckster has seen yOu,h groups pine
lpules oranges, lemons, bauanas; aud the
iIty cents which should have hall-svled Tommys
boots paid half days ironing is gone aud
YOU do not realize it, Till, burdened by the pie
.horic brown paper bags containing your pur-
.hases, you have hailed II passing ear and
gndden upon the sensitive toes OF some prOtune
nan ia your efforts to reach u seat without
,hutimg your extended elbows into the highly
uuus cUuntenauce vi the young woman
~ your left, whose patent OF nobility is Ou.y
.isihle when worn upon her back. What does
he lucaur You don't care. She don't know
,uu YOU never saw her before, aud you do not
are iig for her; but flashes OF heat make
yoUr whole tvdy uncomfortable, and you have
an unpleasant consciousness that dlsgustS
while it annuyS you. You don't envy one, but
you do wish the good things Vi thi, life wero
more evenly distributed; you resolve to make
~ effort To earn money; you are dreaming
the dreams OF your glrIhoOd, when wealth
came in response to effort, aud everything
seemed pnS,ibp to ambition. The car stops,
and AN animated bundle OF dilapidation tot
trrs in. The dream is over; you are far re-
moved from this-thauk hs'vcn, yes! The
poor We have with you always mercilul
Iiod, il il mig ght not Do tOr only little while!
If the sun might Look down Tor only n day
with everybody comfortable and happy
I.N