Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-03
MODERN MOURNING.
A Conversation Retvg cen the Envel.
one and a Sheet OF Paper

'Dear me- said the Paper ~ feel awfuily
queer, SO stin round the edges. What is this
"Hush!S said the Envelope don't you know,
Her husband Is dead"
Nv elr?" said the Paper.
Well said the Envelope, "how stupid you
are: The black is mourning for him, that's
Good grccious!" said the Paper, ..does she do
1t like this? Do you suppose 1t comforts her 10
see black edge on her stationary? How very
'It's the proper thing to do, at any rate" said
world, evidently"
"But it is not my idea Of grief" persisted the
Paper. III l were sad, Iwould go away nom
everybody, and keep quiet"
'You are very simple minded, said the En-
velope. WHO would see you If you mourned
like that? knew a widow once who was very
angry because she found card with a wider
Tiffany TO send the widest that was made, and
here was one wider. She almost cried and
measured the edge to make sure. That was
Was it, indeed?" said the Paper. "Well,
times have changed, l 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 weakness and
suothed away by ignatia.n
n" Oh people feel, i suppose" said the En-
velope. little ashamed, but, really. there
are SO many things expected OF one now when
ones friend passes away that there isn't much
day. Ats the undertaken came, upon mat
ter most painful 1t was-well, the mount
ing on, the casket. She was going to have
hysteri'', but couldn't, because he was wait
Ing her decision. Then the florist lme to know
about the decorations for the house. Then Nine.
Lameau, with boxes upon boxes of dresses,
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 becomtngly. Then came the jeweler,
n inf a nd fay nnYodc
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 SER
wants new mourning lvertes and carriage hang
ings were selected. When dinner was served
our our lady was SO exhausted by all this that she
life. Now should like to know W hat time she
has had for grief, poor thing!'
Don't say no time for grief" said the Paper
rustling with indignation. ''say no soul for it,
and you will be nearer the truth. When wo-
man can choose bOnnetS and tewelry, her hus-
band lying dead in the house, there is not much
sadness in her heart. see that she needs the
black edged paper to express herself. She might
as well give up all this miserable farce and en-
joy herself at once Let her give ball instead
OF a funeral, and show her diamonds in their
new claws"
''Oh! dear me, do hu5h!" said the Envelope
"a ball in crepe and Jet jewelry; you are not
very decent; you don't seem to to understand
things at all" -
q don't, that's true" said the Paper, s.and
hope never will. When women have got to
mourning by sending out black edges and wear
ing the latest things in jet, give them up. I
never shall understand"
Emotional people always make difficulties
for themselves" said the Envelope coolly. 81
accept things as they are, adapt myself Hush.
she is coming, and crying, too, declare, after
ALL"
"Well, really, Lkette," said a voice broken
with sobs, ''you are very thoughtleSS. How
should l remember. in my distracted 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. l am alone-for-
iorn-desOlate," and here the sobS redOubled"
Poor thing" said the Envelope.
What hopeless grief" said the Paper, pity
herr IhiladelDliG Press.