Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-05-14
q 9leasant Storp.
THAT BROWN DRESS.

think its about time | had new
dress" said Mrs. Torrey to her husband one
day, when he was counting over the money
he had just brought from town, where he
had sold a load Of wheat "Suppose you
give me one of those new bills, John, next
time you go TO town, and let me go with
YOU" The coaxing smile she gave him
failed to have the desired effect, however.
"a new dressln exclaimed Mr.. Torrey,
evidently as much surprised Ms be had ever
been in his life. "Wby, Sarah, | thought
you had plenty of good clothes don't see
what you can be thinking of when you plan
to spend money these hard times on new
dresses, when you have more now than Won
know what to do with"
:" don't know what you arc thinking of
when you say that" answered Mrs. Torrey.
" have had just two calico dresses In year.
! have the enormous number of six dresses,
at present, in different stages of wear One
calico dress is quite good. Two caicoes are
half worn out. That old brown dress has
done duty for two years as my good dress,
and this one "--holding up frayed sleeve
for his nspection--"shows for itself. I've
mended II until there's nothing left to mend
1t with, and II won't hold together much
longer"
" Well, that's only five" said Mr.. Torrey.
The sixth happens to be a lawn, which
would scarcely be appropriate for winter
wear" answered his wife. "Pve worn that
brown dress so long that hate the sight OF
il. No matter where go, that has to go too
! don't believe the neighbors would know
me If they saw me away from home with
anything else on"
"Pm sure shouldn't care for the opinion
Of the neighbors," answered her husband,
loitily 81 always thought you looked ex-
tremely well with that dress on. It's warm
and comfortable isn't itY'
Yes, and 50 is Il blanket" answered Mrs.
Torrey.
81 don't approve Of the practice SO prcya-
lent among some of the farmers wives, now
adays, Of buying new dress every time they
take notion into their heads that they'd
like one" said Mr.. Torrey, very imprcssively.
We've got TO economize IL we ever expect
10 get out Of the present financial difficulties.
five all bought needless things the countryd
soon be bankrupt. | don't suppose you
understand il, Sarah hut it's extravagance
that has made the hard times" And Mr..
Torrey tried To look AZ wise as n professor Of
political economy.
Not extravaganza ON my part" respond
ed his wife, who WAS not much impressed
with his arguments 81 want n new dress
because need one, and there II no extrava-
gance about II. have earned one, | think
but II you don't think 50, you had better
keep the money"
Mrs. Torrcy's temper was up Whenever
her husband was in one Of his extra.cconom.
ical moods, he never failed 10 rouse her
spirit She knew that she was careful.
prudent woman, and she felt that new
dress-and half dozen new dresses, for that
matter-had been fully paid for by her econ
omy in little things during the year.
But If he begrudgcd her the money, why,
she'd go without, II she had TO stay ut home
all winter. She wouldn'tcoax him for what
rghtfully belonged to her II his sense Of
justice wasn't strong enough 10 prompt him
to do the fair thing, she'd fall back on the
old brown dress, and make that do for an
other season."
"Idont zee much force In your argument"
said Mr.. Torrcy. "If had six suits Of
clothes, or even three, I'd bc more than sat
isfcd."
lie folded up the money Us II that decided
the matter, and put Il back In the pocket
book
"You poor old brown thingw Mrs. Tor
rcy said next day, when she was airing the
closet where she kept her clothes, you've
got 10 b. Sunday best for another winter"
and she held up the dress tO the light and
inspected II cloSely.
The folds were faded q good deal, the tim.
ming was out of date, and Il had kind of
genieel-poyerty look about II generally.
" know what III do" she said. with u