Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1880-05-12

to missionaries, aud were bent upon
engrafting the multifarious iniQui
ties of the modern and Christian
wonan's garb upon the scautily.
clothed trunk of AshaDtee, or Pa.
puyan, or Root.digger fashions.
At first our heroines were annoy.
ed, then diverted. In less than
three monthsthey ceased to think OF
the babble at all, in their growing
interest in their active, varied home.
life.
just year from the March night
on which Mrs. Hitler had used 90
many nautical figures in her speech
and reverie, two cards were brought
up to the academy of useful arts, y
as the fair students therein persist.
ed in calling large room at the
back OF the house. 1t was airy and
sunny, aud, to. day, was full Of life
and enjoyment, for mother and
daughters were gathered there, and
the chirping was like that of q
happily crowded robins nest.
"The ladies say, do let 'em run
right up, without CEREMONY re.
ported the servant.
"'Arethusa Payne and Marietta
Sibthorpe,'" read Blanche from the
cards. "Ask them to walk up to
the work.room. Jane. Mind that
you say the work room.'D As the
amused girl left the chamber, the
young lady continued: "An In.
spection Committed Let them
come! Won't make them open
their eyes, thought"
81 had no idea you were engaged
with q dressmaker. am afraid
we intrude," simpered Miss Payne,
tiptoeing, like n cautious hen, be.
tween Blauche's wOrkstand, piled
with bonnet frames and Innings, and
Imogen's, down which flowed q riv.
er Of silken founces, half. gathered
at the top; noting likewise, by turn.
ing her sharp face to the right, then
the left, as she stepped (still like
an inquisitive Partlet), that Emma's
tall desk, with ledger open upon
il, Was in a corner.
Mrs. Hitler was ripping mp a
black silk dress; Emma was pulling
u velvet hat to pieces.
"Only practicing our trades a
little in furnishing up things; giving
a spring. fish look to hats and
gowns" rejoined Blanche, with
saucy pOliteness. "One gets 30 sick
Of winter clothes!"
"Dear me, how convenient! What
D source of amusement it must be
TO have that sort of knacKt" said
Miss Sibtborpe, self.compassionate.
y. at is q genuine talent, isn't it
nowf downright genius! And can
you actually make q hat, Blanchef
couldn't put a bit of ribbon on
mine to save my life!r
"But We are professionals" put
in Imogen. "You have no idea
how we have worked to acquire the
artistic touch. We had Miss Tip.
tops forewoman with US at the
cottage We rented last
summer, all the "dull season. on
purpose to teach me dressmaking,
besides the lessons I had in town.
Blanche run down to the city every
week for an all.day lesson"
"But how very odd!7 CALCULATED
Arethusa.
THAT people should pay such
exorbitsnt n,illiners' bills all their
ives, when they could learn the
business with one fourth the labor
and in one. tenth the time music
Blanche said, in wilful
misunderstanding, setting her head
Oh QUE side, and holding her unfin.
shed hat Of at arms length to
examine the effect. alt is queer,
Is you say. ri be generous, girls.
III gire you instructions, if you
vish-take you as my apprentices.
should enjoy it hugely"
Both laughed shrilly and affect.
,dly, to disguise the offence her
proposal gave them.
81 haven't the least taste for such
said Arethusa.
"You are very kind, but my so.
,ial engagements are so numerOus!-
pleaded Marietta. "Honestly, what
10 you do it fort You cant really
ike il! 1t seems sO-so-very ne
'uliar! such a queer within, you
,now!'
THAT is just what everybody
'ays-such queer within! You
get 80 much talked about, you
snow,' subjoined Arethusa. "And
{ is 30 excessively disagreeable to