Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-12-31
A POWER

How different people appear at differ
ent times, as, when We are sick or well
rejoicing OF mourning, laughing Of
weeping A few days since l met an OLD
lady who nodded very Familiarity to me
and yet hesitated to call her by name
lest should n,iscall it. She looked old
and yet young; soft and smiling, and
yet wore stern frowns. She was fair il
face, yet her hands we're iron. 1t seem
ed as if the wind would blow her away
and yet she moved with the strength o.
an elephant.
"Why, sir" said she, ''you seem tc
stare at me, though you have seen me 6
thousand times before"
"Ihat may be, madam; but / never
saw you so loaded down with all sorts
of things, 1 am curious to know about
them. Would it be rude if ! should ask
you few guestions?"
Not at all; ask away"
well, what are you going to do with
those small, thin, ladies' shoes%
"Why, make the ladies wear them, ia
be sure"
'Not in this cold, wet season? Why,
| can scarcely keep my feet warm in
these, thick, double-soled boots. must
have overshoes. How can they wear
such thin, catching shoes?"
"Oh, sir, l have only to bring them,
and the dear creatures put them on,
and never hesitate a moment. They
know me
"And those little half-dresses, hang
ing on your arm?"
"They are to put on little children, in
cold weather, or to walk out in-naked
at the knees, naked at the neck, and
scarcely covering half the body. You
can't think bow eager parents are fo1
these dresses
"What have you in this little tin
box?"
"LozeRges, sir-troches, hoarhound
candy-things that always go with thin
shoes and thin dresses. And this bright
red box, sir, contains what is called con
science-salve,' which I always keep on
hand to rub on the conscience when any
one feels that he has done wrong in
obeying me. It's in great demand, sir,
and a certain cure"
"What is in that bundle, madam ?"
This? A few knick- knacks, which !
sometimes distribute in the Sabbath
schools, in the shape of dialogues,
speeches--things to make people laugh,
and to prevent the school from feeling
too serious or thinking too much about
religion. You must understand, sir,
that I continually have to attend church,
to regulate things there, and see that
the bonnets are right, the rings are
bright, and the dresses complete; yet
religion itself l hate as poison And
here is box of the fnest-what shall |
call it? 1t is sort of wit and smart.
ness, whichI deal out to preachers, with
which they spice their sermons, and be-
come popular l sell them by the gross
They are growing in demand, and they
are a real saving Of conscience and
heartache. Warranted to keep in any
climate--a kind of sensation powder"
"Pray, madam, what are those screws
for?"
"Why, to pinch the feet and make
them look small, without regard to corns
and bunions. They can't wear those
little, dear little, shoes, except you have
these pincers to go with them"
"And that great heap of books in youl
arms ?"
"Those? They are the latest, most
exciting, and the weakest and most silly
novels. But I hand them out, and
shake my head with a smile, and crowds
read them"
"Well, madam, I'm very inquisitive, !
know, but do want to know what you
have in that great bag thrown over your
shoulder"
ga great variety of valuables-such
things as late suppers'-in great de.
mand, and which send people to the
grave early, and thus make room fol
more. Them there are late hours and
late rising and all manner of hair
dressing, and expensive dressing-things
that ladies must have, even if their nus
bands fail. Here are diamond pins and
rings - just the things to stir up envy
and create extravaganza. Here are gold
watches, cigars, meerschaum pipes, gold
headed canes, eyeglasses, and all man
ner of things to suit all manner Of
people. And I laugh and coax and
frown and command, till I get them tc
wear and use them, and do just what
please. Now, [ have just stopped tc
talk with you few moments, don't you
see what crowd have gathered round
me ?-low necks, thin shoes, muslin
dresses, tight boots; some on crutches
some coughing, some breathing short
all crowding to get near me and wher
I move you will see how they all rur
and rush and crowd after me. Oh, sir
I an the great power of the world.
rule kings and queens, beggars and phil
osophers. Don't you see%
"Truly, madam, truly And now may
ask your name%
'Name Fashion, sir; my name il
Mrs. Prevailing Fashion! 1 though
everybody knew mel"
------s--~----a---------------