, 1879-02-02


Detroit Free Press
While family from some one OF the back
counties Of Ontario were In Windsor yesterday,
on their way to this side, citizen OF that town,
who was never known to smile on the outside,
looked over the family, wagon, aud the long
huired ponies, and beckoncd the wife aside. She
was the driver Of the team, and it was easy to
see that she run the family.
"Going oYer to America, supposca" began
tic citizen as she followed him to the walk
ayes, going right over now.'' she answered
"fou have heard Of the new law, Of course!
You will have to set q value on your husband
and s9a},; pa} duty OF 10 per cent on him.
"Fact. The law just went into force yester-
day. How nuch do you value him atH'
"Well," replied the wife after some hesita-
tion' "John hain't OF much account and that's
a fact. He's lazy, and he can't plan, and bar
gain, and get along. II I've got to set = price
on him, shall put him in purity low. Let me
call him."
The lathy-leggcd husband came down off the
wagon at her call, and she explained the case to
him and added:
Now, John, you know you wouldn't bring
six shillings it you were put up At auction, and
you can't expect me to put you in for any great
sum-"
'sWaal, Helen," be slowly answered, ~ know
I'm kinder sick. and tired, and lazy, and don't
suppose I'd bring much of price these hard
times, but Pm the father o. them three chill
dreu, an you can't say was ever Cross and
mean to you. kinder hate to be valued same
as scrub calf, and yet I hain't worth as much
rs good coft-H
The woman seemed to turn the whole case
over in her mind, and finally said:
"John, kinder like YOU In spite Of all, and
the children all like you, but when it comes
down to business and 10 per cent that's another
thing. I'll split the difference with you; I'll
put the price in at s. AMI add two more for
sentiment Isn't that fair2n
THAT'S plenty,-more'n expected" be
thankfully replied. and there was sweet smile
Of satisfaction on his face ns he drew his long
legs into the wagon over the tailboard-
BEAUTY AND THE BIRDS.
The London fashion journals announce that in
Paris as well is in London "Fashlon now draws
largely on natural history for her ornaments.
A few years ago it was considered doubtful
taste to wear small caterpillar on an artificial
flower, but such scruples have vanished, and
lizards and flies OF all descriptions are seen on
bonnets and muffs; even miniature SQUIRRELS
and mice are in, preparation for ornamenting
various accessories of the toilet, and large birds
serve as motifs for the decoration OF evening
dresses. The peacock dress is one Of these nov
elites; the material is white satin, and the pan
icrs take the form of two wings, embroidered
with silk and chenille the design being peacocks'
feathers; the train is OF the same form as
the tail of the handsomest bird in crea-
tiou; the front is ornameuted at regular
intervals With plaits alternating with rows OF
fringe. and the Iow-poiuted bodice Is made with
embroidered bretclles; the heal-dress is q
diamond peacock, with outspread tail sparkling
with cmeralds and rubes. The SWIM dress is
another novelty made Of white satin, and made
with paniers embroidered with white chenille,
and lavishly. trimmed with white lace. This
Copenhagen fetes. The same dressmaker has
likewise introduced the butterfly dress in the
paIest blue Leyantine silk with tablier Of old
gold silk, and the panicrs embroidered with
muiticolored jet, the design OF butterflies being
carried out in the most delicate manner, with
the smallest beads. If well carried out there
is marked originality about such dresses.''
All this is very we'll; but there is another not
SO pleasing side to thc picture, as appears from
the following letter published III the London
1Yorld of Jan. i: II can hardly believe it!
But l have before rue 4 letter, written By
gentleman Of good faith and position, to
local paper in the Western country, crying
shame on lady who appeared on the 30tn Of
December last ut a fancy bali artired as Win
ter :; the emblem Of winter being robin skins
sewn on to " bite dress garnishel with fur and
holly! Is it possible to conceive such senseless
cruelty or such want of tastel It is lucky
ball in such a costume. Assuming it to be true,
the pets OF our children anu homes must have
been decoyed and brutally butchercd to make
coquette's holiday. I suppose the next thing
AIRY, aud every cockney snob vino can fire
goon will be prowling about our rivers pits
anu islands. May Riparius be there! Every
body has seen the frequent appeals OF 'The
Baroness for hospitality to our young feathered
friends And yet the incident I quote took
place not 20, 900 miles away from her Iadyships
iavorite seaside winter resort! Down With
these, what Gentham called, Phthisozoics ~