Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-11
MODERN MOURNING.
A Conversation between the Envelope
and q Sheet OF Paper.


Philadelphia Press.
Dear me-" raid the Paper. II feel aw-
fully queer, 90 stiff round the edges. What
is this black band for 81
"Hush " said the Envelope, "don't you
know her husband is dead ?"
SWELL 2" said the Paper.
"Well," said the Envelope, show stupid
you are. The black ia mourning for him.
that's ALL"
"Good graciousw! said the Paper, "does
she do it like this? Do you euppose it COM
forts her to see a black edge on her station
cry? How very funnyw
"lt's the proper thing to do at any rate"
SAID the Envelope, sharply. "You haven't
seen the world, evidently"
"But it's not my idea of grief" persisted
the Paper. IF I were sad l would go away
from everybody and keep quiet"
"You are very simple.minded," said the
Envelope. "Who wo lid see you ii you
mourned like that. l knew a widow once
who was very angry because abe found a
card with a wider black edge than her own.
She eaid she had told Tiffany to send the
widest that was made, and here was one
wider. She almost cried, and measured the
edge 10 make sure. That was grief now"
"Was it, indeed?" said the Paper. "Well,
times have changed. I suppose. Once when
a lost her husband her eyes were , Q
full of tears that she conld not see how t.
measure black edges. This is the age Of
reason, 1 am told. All feeling is treated az
weakness and soothed away BY ignatia."
-"Oh! people feel, l suppose" said the
Envelope, a little ashamed, "but really there
are go many things expected of one now
when ones friend passes away that there
isn't much time fer grief. Just look at on,
poor lady to-day. At 9 the undertaken
came, upon a matter most painful. 1t was
we'll, the mountings on the casket. She
was going to have Mysteries, but couldn't be.
cause he was waiting her decision. Their
the florist came to know about the decora
tons for the house. Then Madame La
meau. with boxes upon boxes of dresses
wraps bonnets, ETC., and although our lady
did sigh when she saw the deep black-tealI
apoil crepe, you know, and Madam quickl,
diverted her mind by showing Lisette how
to drape the long veil becomingly. Tier
came the jeweler with the latest design il
jet, and her diamonds have to be reset now
you know, In black claws. After this the
mourning stationery was sent with the cresl
in black, and all sorts of cards and letter.
had to be written. Then the eervants' new
mourning ~liveries and carriage hanging
we're selected. When dinner was served GU,
lady was so exhausted by all this that she
felt faint and ate a really good dinner to
austain life. Now I should like to know
what time she had for grief, poor thipgw
Don't say no time for griefw said the
Paper, rustling with indignation "say No
aoul for 1t and you will be nearer the truth,
When q woman can choose bonnets and
jewelry, her husband lying dead in the
house, there Is not much sadness in hel
heart. l see that she needs the black.edged
paper to express herself. She might as well
give up all this miserable farce and enjoy
herself at once, Let her give a ball instead
of a funeral, and show her diamonds 10 theil
new claws"
"Oh! dear me, do hush ~ said the En-.
velope. "a ball in crepe and jet ~jewelry
you are not very decent; you don't seen
to understand things at all"
II don't, that's true" said the Paper, IAN,
hope | never will, when women 20 int,
mourning by sending out black edges ant
wearing the latest things in jet. [ Civ,
them up. | never shall understand"
Emotional people always make Difficult
ties for themselves," said the Envelop,
coollv. II accept things as they are, anc
adapt myself-Hush she is coming, and
crying, TOO, l declare, after ALL"
swell. really Lizette," said q voice brok
en- with sobs, you are very ,houghless. How
should I remember, in my distracted state
TO say twelve buttoned gloves? and her
they are only six buttoned; it is too bad
But every one takes advantage Of me now
l am Observation-Disclosures" and th
sobs redoubled.
"Poor thing" said the Envelope.
whist hopeless grief" said the Paper, /"
pity her"