Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-01-09
Modern Mourning---A Conversation Be-
tween the Envelope and a Sheet
Of Paper,

Dear me-" said the Paper" [ feel
awfully queer, so stiff round the edges
What is this black band forP"
"Hushp' said the Envelope, "don't
you knowP Her husband is dead"
"WellP'' said the Paper.
"Well," said the Envelope. "how
stupid you are. Tho black is mourning
for him, that's ALL"
Good graciousr' said the Paper,
docs she do 1t like thisp Do you sup
pose IL comforts her to see black edge
on her stationery How very funnyr'
It's the proper thing 10 T., at any
rate" said the Envelope, sharply.
You haven't seen the world, evi.
IDENTIFY"
"But il is not my idea of grief" per-
sisted the Paper. "If 1 were sad l
would go away from everybody and
keep quiet"
You are very simple-minded," said
the Envelope. Who would see you
If you mourned like thatP l knew
widow once who was very angry be-
cause she found card with wider
black edge than her own. She said
she had told Tiffany to send the widest
that was made, and here was one
wider. She almost cried, and measured
the edges to make sure. That was
grief, now"
"Was it, indeedP" said the Paper
"Well, times have changed, suppose.
Once when woman lost her husband
her eyes were so full of tears that she
could not see how to measure black
edges. This is the age of reason, am
told. All feeling is treated as weak
ness and soothed away by ignatia."
80! people feel, [ suppose" said
the Envelope, little ashamed, "but,
really, there are so many things ex-
pected of one now when ones friend
passes away that there isn't much time
for grief. just look at our poor lady
to-day. At nine the undertaken came,
upon a matter most painful. 1t was
well, the mountings on the casket.
She was going to have Mysteries, but
couldn't, because he was waiting her
decision. Then the florist came to
know about the decorations for the
house. Then Madam Laneau, with
boxes upon boxes of dresses, wraps,
bonnets, etc, and although our lady
did sigh when she saw the deep
black-tears spoil Grape, you know,
and Madam quickly diverted her mind
by showing Lisette how to drape the
long veil becomingly. Then came the
jeweler with the latest design in let
and her diamonds have to be reset now,
you know, in black claws. After this
the mourning stationery was sent with
the crest in black, and all sorts of cards
and letters had to be written. Then
the servants new mourning liveries
and carriage hangings were selected. |
When dinner was served our lady was
so exhausted by all this that she felt |
faint and ate really good dinner to |
sustain life. Now l should like to know
what time she has had for grief, poor
hing
Don't say no time for griefr' said
he Paper. rustling with indignation;
. say no soul for it, and you would be
nearer the truth. When woman can
choose bonnets and jewelry, her hus-
oand lying dead in the house, there is
lot much sadness in her heart. | see
hat she needs the black edged paper
o express herself. She might as we'll
,ive up all this miserable farce and en-
oy herself at once. Let her give ball
instead of funeral, and show her dia-
nonds in their new claws"
go! dear me do hushr' said the En-
'elope. "a ball in Grape and jet jew
Try; you are not very decent; you don't
eem to understand things at all"
81 don't, that's true" said the
'aper, 81 and / hope never will, when
have get to mourning by send.
ng out black edges and wearing the
atest things in jet. give them up.
ever shall understand.
Emotional people always make diff
culties for themselves" said the En-
elope, coolly. II accept things as
hey are, and adapt myself-hush! she
coming, and crying, too, declare,
fter all.''
"Well, really, Lizette," said voice
roken with sobs, "you are very
noughtless. How should remember,
1 my distracted state, to say twelve
uttoned glovesP and here they are only
tx buttoned; it is too bad. But every
ne takes advantage of me now. am
Observation-Disclosures and the
Obs redoubled. ,
Poor thing" said the Envelope.
"What hopeless grief" said the
aper, 81 pity her. "-PhLladelphia
reSS.