Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-05-14

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winter wore that old gray delaine part o
the time, but since that departed this life II
have to make this do double duty"
Next Sunday she came down arrayed fo
church in the brown dress.
I'm sure that looks well enough for any
body her husband said. "If you Away,
have as good clothes you won't have any
cause for complaint"
Mrs. Torrey frowned and then she smiled
Half the farmers wives at church had OF
neat dresses, and her brown one looked
more dingy than ever beside them. Some
how, the contrast between her appearance,
and that of her neighbors struck Mr.. Tore,
quite forcibly, but he was sure it wasn't OF
account other dress. That was good enough
for anybody"
Mrs. Perkins had quilting Wednesday
afternoon, and the men were invited to tea
Clad in her brown dress, Mrs. Torrey made
herself very conspicuous among the Other
ladies during the evening The contrast be-
tween their pretty garments and her own
was considerably to her disadvantage, and
her husband did not fail to notice IL; but
an warrant their dresses cost five or ten
dollars apiece, and can't afford that" he
thought, and tried to forget that there were
such things as dresses in the world
The next Sunday the brown dress went
to church again, and twice during the week
il was on duty
Mr.. Torrey began to get tired of brown,
but he wouldn't say so.
Hestood it for month. During that time
the inevitable garment was worn no less
than ten times. 1t was at Mrs. Bakers so.
ciable that Mr. Torrey capitulated, and that
was the last time the brown dress made its
appearance in public. He was sitting in a
corner, behind two ladies, when one of them
made this remark to the other:
Mrs. Torrey is nice-looking woman
think"
"Yes," was the reply; land she'd look
ever so much better il she could dress as
other folks do. TO my certain knowledge
this is the third season she's worn that brown
dress"
Mr.. Torrey felt very uncomfortable.
"What makes her stick TO II as she does ~
asked the other lady. "You know I've only
been in the neighborhood six weeks, but I've
never seen her in any other dress, and I've
met her good many times, too"
Mr.. Torrey began to perspire freely.
Its the only dress she has that's fit to
wear away from home in the winter" was
the reply.
as her husband poorS" asked the other.
"Oh, no; only economical was the an.
swer, with little laugh that made Mr.. Tor
rey Jingle to the tips of his toes. ~ suppose
he's worth as much as most Of the farmers
In the neighborhood"
Sand she hasn't anything better to wear
than that" exclaimed the other lady in
dignantly. "If Mr.. Torrey were my hus.
band, and obliged me to wear one dress
three years, I'd"
| Mr. Torrey didn't stop 10 hear the sentence
finished. He never knew whether the ladies
knew who the man was that made such an
undigniied dash for the side door or not,
but he has never met them since without get
ting uncomfortably warm.
"See here, Sarah, want to make a bar
gain with you" he said, next morning, look
ing very foolish and rcd in the face III
give you fifteen dollars If you'll promise
never TO wear that brown dress away from
home again"
"Whyw exclaimed Mrs Torrey, with a
twinkle of triumph in her eye. 81 hope you
haven't got tired of it, Pm sure it's good
enough for anybody"
as IL barganY" asked her husband,
holding up the money.
"Yes," answered she; and then her lord
and master beat hasty retreat 10 the barn,
where he happened 10 remember some work
needed doing very much.
The next Sunday when Mrs. Torrey walk
ed up the isle at church, her husband was
really proud Of her Her new black dress
fitted beautifully, and the sacque she wore
was as neat as any in the house. And the
pretty bonnet, with scarlet roses, that she
had fashioned at home 10 wear with her new
garments, made her look five years younger
than she had done In the old hat she had
worn with the brown dress.
"You don't say yon got that dress and this
sacque arrangement, and this bonnet for that
money!" he asked, when they were going
home
"Yes, ] did" she answered. ~ saved
considerable by making them myself; and
part Of the ribbons and fringe had before.
! do believe like this suit better than the
brown dress"
slang the brown dress exclaimed Mr.
forrey; 81 hope you'll never mention II
again"