The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-01-22
Gables porttolto.
d Mourning.
A CONVERSATION AN ENVELOPE
AND A SHEET OF PAPER.

A CONVERSATION ETWEE AN ENVELOPE
AND A SHEET OF PAPER.
Dear me-" said the Paper, 81 feel aw-
fully queer, so stiff round the edges. What
is this black band for =
Hush - said the Envelope, don't you
know Her husband is dead"
"WeI =" said the Paper.
'sWelI," said the Envelope, 'how stupid
you are I! The black is mourning fol hlm,
that's ALL"
.sGood gracious ~ said the Paper, ''does
she do it like this Do you suppose it
comforts her to see a black edge on her sta
tionery How very funny ~
Its the proper thing to do. at any rate
said the Envelope sharply. "You haven't
seen the world, evidently"
but it is not my idea Of grief" persisted
the Paper. If l were sad, l would go
away from everybody and keep quiet
"You are very supplemented, . said the
Envelope. ''Who would see you if you
incurred like that | knew a widow once
who was very angry because she found a
card with a wider black edge than her own.
She said she had told Tiffany to send the
widest that was made, and here was one wi
der. She almost cried, and measured the
edge to make sure. That was grief, now"
HWas it, indeed 2 said the paper.
s'Well, times have changed, l suppose.
Once when a 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 weakness, and soothed away by
ignatia."
Obi! people feel, [ suppose" said the
Envelope, a little ashamed, but, really,
there are so many things expected 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 9 the underta-
ker came, upon a matter most painful. 1t
was-well, the mounting 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 decora-
items for the house. Then Nine. Lameau,
with boxes upon boxes of dresses, wraps,
hornets, etc, and although our lady did
sigh when she saw the deep black-tears
spoil crepe, you know, and, madam quickly
diverted her mind by showing Lisette how
to drape the long veil becomingly. Then
came the jeweller, with the latest design in
Jet, and her diamonds have to be reset now,
you know, in black claws After this the
mourning stat q larry 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
WSIeS ClSClcO. "HCu dluhCA was SClNCu
our lady was 50 exhausted by all this that
she felt faint and ate a really good dinner
to sustain life. Now l should like to know
what time she has had for grief, poor
thing p
don't say no time for grief y said the
Paper. rustling with Indignation, ''say no
soul for it, and you will be nearer the
truth. When a woman can choose bonnets
and jewelry. her husband lying dead in her
house, there is not much sadness in her
heart. see that she needs the black-edge
paper to express herself. She might as we'll
give up all this miserable farce and enjoy
herself at once. Let her give a ball instead
of a funeral, and show her diamonds IN
their new claws"
sOh, dear me, do hush - said the Enve-
lope. "A ball in crepe and jet jewelry :;
you are not very decent you don't seem to
understand things at ALL"
II don't, that's true,'' said the Paper,
''and 1 hope I never will. When women
have got to mourning by sending out black
edges and wearing the latest things in jet,
l give them up. never shall understand"
Functional people always make difficult
ties for themselves, said the Envelope.
coolly. Il accept things as they are, adapt
myself-Hush she is coming, and crying.
toe, l declare, after all"
well, really, Lizette,' said a voice
broken with soGs, you are very thought
less. How should l remember. in my dis
tracted state, to say twelve-buttoned gloves?
and here they are only six buttoned it is too
bad. But every one takes advantage of me
now. | am Observation-Disclosures" and
here the sobs redOubled.
Poor thing" said the Envelope.
"NVbat hopeless grief" said the Paper,
pity her."-PhIddelphia Press.