The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-03-05
A POWER.


times, as, when we are sick or well, rejoic-
ing or mourning, laughing or weeping A
few days eincc met an old lady who nod
ded very familiarly to me, and yet hesi-
tated to call her by name, lest should mis-
callit. She looked old, and yet young; soft
and smiling, and yet wore stern frowns.
She was fair in face, yet her hands were
iron. 1t seemed as if the wind would blow
her away, and yet she moved with the
strength of an elephant.
eWhy, sir" said she, "you seem to stare
at me, though you have seen me thousand
times before"
"That may be, madam; but never saw
ycu so loaded down with all sorts of things.
am curious to know about them. Would
it be rude if should ask you a few ques.
tions2"
HNot at all; ask away"
"Well, what are you going to do with
those small, thin, ladies' shoes?
"Why, make the ladies wear them, to be
sure"
r"Not in this cold, wet season? Why, l
can scarcely keep my feet warm in these
thick, double-soled boots. l must have
overshoes. How can they wear such thin,
coldcatching shoes""
"Oh, sir, ! have only to bring them, and
the dear creatures put them on, and never
hesitate moment. They know mol"
"And those little half-dresses, hanging on
your arn?"
"They arc to put on little children, in
cold weather, or to walk out in-naked at
the knees, naked at the neck, md scarcely
covering half the body. You can't think
how eager parents are for these dresses"
"What have you in this little tin box 2"
"Lozenges, sir-troches, hoarhound candy
things that always go with thin shoes and
thin dresses. And this bright red box, sir,
contains what is called "cCnscence- salve, ;
which ! 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 certain cure"
"What is IN that bundle, madam ?"
"rhis? few knick- knacks, which | some
times distribute in the Sabbath schools, in
the shape of dialogues, speechcs-things to
make people laugh, and to prevent the
school from feeling too serious or thinking
too much about religion. You must under
stand, sir, that 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 relg-
ion itself hate as poison And here is a
box OF the fnest-what shall call it? II
is sort of wit and smartness, which deal
ont to preachers, with which they spice
their sermons, and become popular. sell
them by the gross. They are growing in
demand, and they are real saving of con-
science and heartache. Warranted to keep
in any elimate-a kind OF sensation pow
der"
"Pray, madam, what are those screws
for Z"
"Why, to pinch the feet and make them
look small, without regard to corns and
bunions. They can't wear those dear little
shoes, except you have these pineers to 60
with them"
"And that great heap of books in your
armS1"
"Thossf They are the latest, most ex-
citing, and the weakest and most silly
novels. But hand them out, and shake
my head with a smile, and crowds read
them"
e"Well, madam, I'm very inqusitive, l
know, but do want to know what you
have in that great bag thrown over your
shoulder"
"a great variety Of ofyaluAbles-sucht things
as late suppers'-in great demand, and
which send people TO the grave early, and
thus make room for more. Then, there are
late hours and late rising and all manner
OF hair-dressing, and expensive dressing
things that ladies must have, even if their
husbands fail. Here are diamond pins and
rngs-just the things to stir up envy aud
create sxtravagance. Here are gold watches,
cigurs, meersehaum pipes, gold-headed
canes, eye glasses, and all manner of things
TO SUIT all manner of people. Aud laugh
and coax and frown and command, till I
get them to wear and use them, aud do
IIst What piaass. Netvr I havn i,,st s.,,,,,..l