The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-09-15
The DRESS.MAKER AT GREEN
HARBUR.

Mis- Babson. the dress-maker. is the
most important parsonage in the village
at Green Harbor. and there is no place
so much visited as her shop, which is
situated on the first floor o. her own
little house at the corner. When nv
acquaintance with the lady first began,
l supposed that she was single, Judging
not only from the fact that she was
called Mis- BabsOn. but because there
was something in the twist of her
natural ringlels, and in the tone of her
jews harp-llke voice, which sug-
gested single-blessedness. But soon
discovered my mistake. She is not
by concealing them. She gives each
new customer the full particulars of
her several widowhoods, and talks as if
burying husbands were the chief occu-
patton of woman. She is tall, rather
plump woman. of forty-five or there.
abouts. Her mouth has peculiar ex-
preston, owing to Il habit of keeping
it perpetually filled with pins. Her
reddish brown hair grows down on one
side of her polished brow, after fash
ion which is called by her neighbors a
cowlick. Her pale complexion is deli
cately tinted with green. and her light
gray eyes have glitteriny brightness
A look of mourntul liveliness pervades
her whole countenance.
She is not only the dressmaker of
the village, but fills various other i'm
portant positions with great credit.
She makes and trims all the bridal bon
nets in the region. though there is an
other outraged pill,ner at the Landing
who serves GU ordinary occasions. AS
a nurse she is quite famous. though, I'M
less the case be particularly attractive
or extremely severe, she does not feel
Justified in leaving her shop to the ten
der mercies OF Idelia Rosanna. the
ilghtiest niece that ever wise aunt was
afflicted with. to devote he self to the
care OF the sick. AS doctress she is
also highly valued; and, as there is
no regular ply stefan within five
mics. her skill is often called into
practice. When, as she phrases it, any
one is called away in the town, her
services are alwa S required for making
the shroud and preparing the body for
burial. Then, she IS the very efficient
President OF the Ladies' Sewing Society,
the leading soprano in the church choir,
the proprietress of celebrated e, e.
wash, and the general adviser of both
old and young in the town, and several
neighboring towns rs well. OF late
years the Harbor has been crowded with
summer visitors. and she has taken
these on her hands. also.
1t is fascinating place, that little
shop of hers. and. whether you wish to
maze purchase, or not. it is well worth
the while to visit it on a summer MORN
ing. To be sure, your entrance is likely
to be attended with some difficulty, as
the gate OF the ilower-filled yard in front
is fastened by a unique sort of latch,
an invention of the latest-lamented,
who certainly must have been genius,
and one which she piously retains in
memory of him, though some of her
Gus omers. pre- er to climb the tence
rather than attempt to make an en-
trance bv solving its mysteries. Then
small dog. belonging to another la
mented, objects considerably to suran-
gers. Once inside, through the polite
ness of ldelia Rosanna or the aid of an
experienced neighbor, you draw long
breath of relief and prepare yourself to
enjoy the situation. Through the open
doors and windows, on the breath of a
whole sOuled breeze, comes the pungent
aroma of the sea, which sparkles not
far away. You listen to its music and
the sleepy rustic of the wheat field OPP
posite while awaiting the shop-mistress.
who is invariably detained by some
household duty and apologies elabo-
rateiy for the untidiness of her personal
appearance when she finally enters the
door in solemn haste. The sunshine
dances on the painted floor and peeps
with eyes as curious as your own into
the crowded showcase, from whose
splendid abundance Idelia Rosanna is
bedecked as maiden was never bedecked
be ore. What does it not contain with
in its or, stall clearness? Gorgeous
flowers, the semblance of nothing
which grows in either field or garden;
amazing articles, designed as orna-
ments for the neck, heaped together in
many-c0lored splendor; accordions,
which share the palm with me odeons
in Green Harbor ideas of melody; cot
ton laces in rich lowered patterns; a
dazzling display of jewelry, beads,
bracelets, necklaces. with a great vari-
ETY. of precious stones glittering from
elaborate settings; scissors, pocket
knives, pink and white candy, specta-
Giles, rattles, rainbow ribbons, crocheted
edging. cough-drops, collars, golden
cement. dolls and fancy soaps. to say
nothing of patent medicines and small
assortment of books, evidently chosen
solely tor the elegance of their bindings.
The we'll TODD sea-captaihs are building
new houses at Green Harbor of late. and
nc, new parlor is complete without-a few
gorgeous books for the comfortable.
Outside the showcase are also
many fascinating things-bonnets,
daintily covered with pink net
ting as q protection from the
flies; stamped patterns for rugs, in
rich and strange variety; Britannia tea
pots. shining like the sun over shelf
piled with new prints, and in close
proximity to these an odd collection of
boots and shoes.
The door which leads into the sitting
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