The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-03-13

more dingy than over beside them. Some.
how, the contrast between her appearance
and that of her neighbors struck Mr. Tor
rey quite forcibly, but he was sure il
wasn't on account Of her 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
between their pretty garments and her
own was considerably to her disadvantage,
and her husband did not fail to notice it /;
but
"Tll warrant their dresses cost FIVE or
ten dollars apiece, aud | can 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, aud twice during the
week il was on duty.
Mr.. TOrrey began to gettired of brown,
but he wouldn't say so.
He stood it for a month. During that
time the inevitable garment was worn no
less than ten times. 1t was at Mrs. Bax-
ters sociablo that Mr.. Torrey capitulatod,
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 a nice-looking woman,
| think"
"Yes, was the reply; "and she d look
ever 70 much better if she could dress as
other folks do. 70 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 neighborhood six
weeks, but I've never seen her in any
other dress, and I've met her a good many
times, too"
Mr.. Torrcy began to perspire freely.
"lt's the only dress she has that's fit to
wear away from home in the winter" was
the reply"
sis her husband poor?" asked the
other.
"Oh, no; only economical was the an.
swer, with little laugh that made Mr.
Torrey tinglo to the tips of his toes. 81
suppose he's worth as much as most of the
farmers in the neighborhood
"Aud she hasn't anything better to
wear than that p exclaimed the Other
lady, indignantly. AT Mr.. Torrey were
my husband, aud obliged me to wear one
dress three years, IA"
Mr.. Torrey didn't stop to hear the sen.
tencc finished. lie never knew whether
the ladies knew who the mau was thai
made such IN undigniied dash for the
side door or not, but he has never met them
since without getting intentionally warm
"Sec here, Sarah, | want to make bar,
gain with you" he said, next morning
looking very foolish and red in the face
"Ill give you fifteen dollars if you'll prom.
Use 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? I'm sure its
good enough for anybody"
lis it bargain ?" asked her husband
holding up the money.
"Yes, answered she; and then her lord
and master beat hasty retreat to the
barn, where he huppeuOd to remember
some work needed doing very much.
The next Sunday when Mrs. Torrey
walked up the isle at church, her husband
was really proud Of her. Her new black
dress fitted beautifully, and the sacquc
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
i've years younger than she had done in
the old hat she had worn with the brown
dress.
"fou dou't say you got that dress aud
this sacque arrangement, and this bonnet
for that money!" he asked, when they
were going home.
eyes, did, she answered. al saved
considerable by making them myself and
part of the ribbons aud, fringe had be.
fore. | do believe like this suit better
than the brown dress"
"Harg the brown dress !" exclaimed Mr.
Torrey; 81 hope you'll never mention il
again"
AoE AND YouTH.-There is dignity
in age which should command resneet