The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-04-01
kind of genteel-poverty look about il

Il know what I'll do" she said, with
twinkle in her eyes. I'M wear it
everywhere, and I'll go out every time
can, and I'll make him as sick OF it as
am. Last winter l wore that old gray
delaine part Of the time, but since that
departed this life I'll have to make this
do double duty"
Next Sunday she came down arrayed
for church in the brown dress.
I'm sure that looks well enough for
anybody" her husband said. "If you
always 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
on neat new dresses, and her brown one
looked more dingy than ever beside
them. Somehow, the contrast between
her appearance and that of her neigh
bors struck Mr.. Torrey quite forcibly,
but he was sure 1t wasn't on account OF
her dress. That was "good enough for
anybody"
Mrs. Perkins had quilting Wcdnes.
day afternoon, and the men were in
vited 10 tea. Clad in her brown dress,
Mrs. Torrey made herself very con-
spicuous among the other ladies during
the evening. The contrast between
their pretty garments and her own was
considerably to her disadvantage, and
her husband did not fail to notice it;
but
"I'll warrant their dresses cost five
or ten dollars apiece, and | can't afford
that" he thought, and tried to forget
that there wele such things as dresses
in the world.
The next Sunday the brown dress
went to church again, and twice during
the week it was on duty.
Mr.. Torrey began to get tired of
brown, but he wouldn't say so.
He stood it for month. During that
time the inevitable garment was worn
no less than ten times. 1t was ut Mrs.
Baxter's sociable that Mr.. Torrey capit-
ated, and that was the last time the
brown dress made its appearance in
publ C. He was sitting in corner, be-
hind two ladies, when one of them made
this remark to the other:
Mrs. Torrey is nice-loolling
woman, / think"
YES" was the reply: land she'd
look ever so much better if 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 it as she
does" asked the other lady. You
know I've only been in the neighbor-
hood six weeks, but I've never seen her
in any other dress, and I've met her a
good many times, too"
Mr.. Torrey began to perspire freely.
It's the only dress she has that's fit
to wear away from home in the winter"
was the reply"
"Is her husband poorP" asked the
other.
"On, no; only economical" was the
answer, with a little laugh that made
Mr.. Torrey tingle to the tips of his toes
| suppose he's worth as much as most
of the farmers in the neighborhood."
And she hasn't anything better to
wear than thatP" exclaimed the other
lady, Indignantly. "lfMr. Torrey were
my husband, and obliged me to wear
one dress three years, I'd"
Mr.. Torrey didn't stop TO hear the SEN
tence 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 getting uncomfort-
ably warm.
"See here, Sarah, ! want to make a
bargain with YOU" be said, next morn
ing, looking very foolish and red in the
face. IN give you fifteen dollars if
you'll promise never to wear that brown
dress away from home again" II
Whym exclaimed Mrs. Torrey,
with a twinkle of triumph in her eye.
81 hope your haven't got tired of itP
I'm sure it's good enough for anybody"
" Is it bargainP" asked her hus-
band, holding up the money.
Yes" answered she; and then her
lord and master beat hasty retreat to
the barn, where he happened to remem-
ber some work needed doing very much,
The next Sunday when Mrs. Torrey
walked up the Isle at church, her hus-
band 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 to 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 you got that dress
and this sacque arrangement, and this
bonnet, for that money!" he asked,
when they were going home.
Yes, l did," she answered. "Isaved
considerable by making them myself
and part of the ribbons and fringe I-bad
before. | do believe / like this suit
better than the brown dress"
Hang the brown dress!" exclaimed
Mr.. Torrey; II hope you'll never men
tion itagain."