The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-08-05
A POOR WOMAN.


II was a stormy day in January. with
tho housetops all cased in armor of
glittering icicles, the sleet driving
steadily from the east, and the pave
mcnts glaze of ice-just one of the
days when the streets look most dis
NAL and the home hearthstone seems
most desirable. And Mrs. Sutherland sit
ting costly by the CRATE. with a satin
painted screen held up between her
face and the too ardent glow of the
Goals, was chatting with Mrs. Peterson,
dear particular friend, who had dared
the inclemency of the weather to dis
cuss the importance Of a coming ball
and its alternative toilet.
Mrs. Sutherland was in pale-blue
cashmere. faced with quilted silk, and
edged with foamy line of swans
down. Mrs. Peterson wore a scal-skin
and velvet. with Paris hat and gloves
that fitted like the skin itself. And the
apartment was decorated with deep
blue brocatelle drapercs, a carpet of
blue Administer. and all the tiny easels.
jardiniere, shell-shaped easy chairs,
and painted China dragons that are
nowadays deemed absolutely necessary
for the furnishing of a modern room.
And, strange rs it may seem, the topic
upon which these ladies were convers-
ing was-ecOnOmy.
"Of course. my dear" said Mrs.
Sutherland, "when one has three
daughters in society, one must study
ones own interest, and ! do assure you
I've found the cheapest dressmaker,
out at Evanston, who trims and fits ex-
quisitely for song-a mere song"
Dear me-" said Mrs. Peterson.
"rm ashamed-yes. positively
ashamed--to tell you how little the
girls ball-dresses cost" went on Mrs.
Sutherland. "But l told this Mrs.
Mathematics her name-that I
should pay SO much and no more. She
could take the job or she could let it
alone. And she's very poor. and has
a sick daughter. and Of course she was
glad to get money on any terms. was
gratiiied to hear. afterwards, that she
was one Of Madame Rapp's work.
women. Madame Rapp, you know.
never employs any bunglers. Here's
her address; and mind you don't pay
her any more than I've been doing
thirty shillings for the three dresses.
1t just spoils them to lot them think
you're going to empty your whole purse
into their hands"
..rll DO very particular" said Mrs.
Peterson, ''and I'm SO much obliged TO
YOU dearr'
"Pray. don't mention it love-" said
Mrs. Sutherland; and these allies kissed
one another goOd-by with affectionate
eii'usion.
Mrs. Peterson departed in satin
lined coupe; Mrs. Sutherland ringing
the bell for her cup of frOthing chOco-
late and bro:led quails for lunch.
While in the scantily-furnished back
room of small suburban house, Mar
garet Wharton, with q shawl around
her shoulders, was stitching away,
brcathlessly anxious TO complete the
work she hal undertaken for Mrs.
S1thcrand; while Elsie, her pale little
daughter, was quilting white Spanish
lace into the sleeves and neck OF the
satin bodice.
Mamma" said Elsie after a long
pause, "aren't these ladies rich?"
81 suppose so, DEAR" Mrs. Wharton
answered with sigh. Take caro-
be sure you keep the edges of that
blonde perfectly even, my DEAR"
Then why don't they pay you as
much us Madame Rapp's customers
pay herr"
because Madame Rapp is famous
dressmaker, DEAR" Mrs. Wharton re-
piled, "and l am only poor seam
stress"
..But YOU sew 80 beautifully man.
ma" urged Elsie; land Madame X
herself used to consult you about the
trimming of the dresses"
Mrs. Wharton sighed.
Things arc strangely ordered in this
worldr' said she. II think, Elsie,
dear, we must have lamp. The light
is so imperfect to-day, and my eyes are
wearied with sewing so late last night"
Elsie looked piteOusly at her mOtheH
"Mamma." walled she, ''if your
eyes should fail-if, mamma-what in
the world would become of usp"
Margaret Wharton burst into tears.
..Oh, Elsie, child, that is just what I
have been thinking Of myself" admit
ted she. ..But it Is idle folly to 60 and
meet trouble before it comes. Light
the lamp, dearest; must not stop for
q mOment?"
"Mamma." protested Elsie. who. al
though only fourteen, had quick sense
of Justice, "yOu have been nearly two
weeks on these three dresses, night and
day, haven't yOu?"
ayes" her mother admitted, with
| q sigh. "They arc very elaborately
trimmed"
"And they only pay you three dol.
lars. They would have paid Madame
Rapp thirty dollars ut least. 1t isn''
| right, mamma; it cheating your
awe poor people must content our
selves with what we can get" sait
Mr.. Wharton, sadly. 81 shall finist
1 these dresses TO night. Elsie. Mrs
Sutherland will pay me tomorrow. ant
/ can settle about tho rent and the
grocer's bill. and perhaps pay the baker
little on his account. And then
will go back to Madame's. You will b'
we'll enough to stay by yourself mex
week, Elsie, will you notp"
"Oh, mamma. yesI' cried the child
But Madame Rapp was in grea
rage when Margaret Wharton presented
herself q few days afterwards.
ut is against all the rules and regu.'
lations for my hands to underbid me.
she said, tossing her head until all tn
false puifs and frizzes quivered like
capillary mountain. 'You will con
slider yourself permanently discharged
Wharton, from this establishment"
"Madamer' gasped the poor dress
maker.
"Ah, you need not look so innocentP
screamed Madame Rapp who. like mos
French women, was very excitable. =
am not dupe-I have heard It ALI
how YOU make ball-dresses for Madam
Sutherland and Madame Peterson TO
J | nothing - absolutely nothing! The