The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-04-22
ALESSON ON DRESS.

Just out of the bandbox. Cora was belle
Among the number of these was young
man named Edward Douglass, who was
very sphinx of neatncss in all matters
pertaining to dress, and exceedingly par
ticular in his observance in the little pro-
prieties OF life.
I saw from the first that If Douglass
had pressed his suit, Cora's heArt would
be an easy conquest, and SO it proved.
"How admirably thay are fitted for
each other" remarked to my husband
on the night Of the wedding. "Thcir
tastes are similar, and their habits so
much alike that no violence will be done
to the feelings OF either in the more init
mate associations that marriage brings.
Both are neat in person and orderly by
instinct, and both have good principles"
"From all present appearance the
match will be a good one" my husband
replied.
There was, I thought something like
reservation in his tone.
"Do you really think sof' said, ht-
tic ironically; for Mr.. Smith approval Of
the marriage ives hardly warm enough to
suit my fancy.
ooh, certainly. Why not:' he re-
piled.
felt a little tretted at my husbands
mode Of speaking, but made No further
remark on the subject. He is never very
enthusiastic nor sanguinc and did not
mean, in this instance, to doubt the fit
ness of the parties for happiness III the
ctofo 1,o1f
myself, I warmly approved my friends
choice, and called her husband lucky
fellow to secure for his companion
through life a woman so admirably fitted
to make one like him happy. But VS.
it which paid Cora one day, about six
weeks after the honeymoon had expired,
lessened my enthusiasm on the subject
and awoke some unpleasant doubt It
happened that called soon after break
fast. Cora met me in the parlor, look
ing like very fright She wore soiled
and rumpled merning wrapper, her hair
was in paper, and she had on dirty stock
ings and pair of old slippers down at
the heels.
"Bless me Cora!' said, ''vhat IS the
matter? Have you been lll?''
''No. Why do you ask? Is my disha-
billie rather oDI the extrcme?"
"Candldly, I think it is, Cora,' was
my frank answer.
ooh! we'll, no matter" she carclessly
replied, tiny fortunes made.'
II don't clearly understand you,' l
said.
I'm married, you know"
Eyes, l am aware of that fact"
dress now; for didn't just say" replied
Cora, 'that my fortunes made? I've got
hus band"
Beneath an air Of jesting was apparent
the real earnestness of my friend.
"You dressed with careful regard and
nealness in order to win Edwards love-"
said I.
"Certainly did,
"And should you not do the same in
order to retain it?''
"Why, Mrs. Smith, do you think that
my husbands affection goes no deeper
than my dress2 I should he very sorry
indeed to think that. IIc loves me for
myself"
mo doubt OF that in the world, Cora;
but remember that he cannot see what is
in your mind, except by what you do or
say. If be admires your taste, tor in
stance, 1t is not from any abstract appre-
citation ot it, but because the taste mani
tests itself IN what you do; and depend
upon 1t, he will find it very hard mat
ter to approve and admire your correct
taste in dress, for instance, when you ap-
pear before him every day in yonr pre-
sent unattractive attire. If you do not
dress we'll for your husbands eyes, for
whose eyes, pray, do you dress? You are
as neat when abroad as you were before
your marriage"
'As to that, Mrs. Smith, common de-
Cency requires me to dress we'll when I
60 out into company, to say nothing of
the pride one naturally feels in looking
WE'LL"
''And does not the same common decen-
cy and natural pride argue strongly IN
favor of your dressing we'll at home, and
for the eye of your husband, whose
approval and admiration must be dearer
to you than the approval and admiration
of the whole world2"
"But he doesn't want to see me rugged
out in silks and satins all the time. A
pretty bill my dresamaker would have
against him in that event! Edward
has more sense than that, l fatter my
SELF
"Street or ballroom attire is one
thing, Cora, and becoming home ap-
parel another. We look for both In
their place."
Thus argued with the thoughtless
young wife, but my words made no i'm
preston. When abroad she dressed with
exquisite taste, and was lovely to look
upon; but at home she was careless and
slovenly, and made it almost impossible
for those who saw her to believe that she
was the brilliant beauty they had met in
company but short time before.
. But even this did not last long. I no.
tlced after few months, that the habits
Of home were not only confirming them
selves, but becoming apparent abroad.
Her fortune was made ana whv should
she. now waste time or employ her
thoughts about matters of personal ap-
pearance2
The habits of Mr.. Douglass, on the
contrary. did not change. He was as Or
dely as before, and dressed with the same
regard to neatness. He never appeared
at the BREAKFAST table in the morning
wtuout De1ng shaved, nor dld he lounge
about in the evening in his shirt sleeves.
The slovenly habits into which Cora had
fallen annoyed him seriously, and still
more so when her carelessness about her
appearance began to manifest itself
abroad as we'll as at home. When he
limited anything on the subject she did
not hesitate to reply in a TESTING manner,
that her "fortune was made:3 she did
not trouble herself any longer about how
she looked.
;I>> Douglass did not feel very much COM
i plimented, but he had his share of good
sense, he saw that to assume cold and
offended manner would do no good.
;. IF your fortune is made, SO is mine,"
~ he replied on one occasion, quite coolly
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