, 1881-06-17
BORROWING DRESSES.

When my father discovered the fact
that l had pledged my hand to Tom
Houghton, his nephew, frank easygo-
ing young man, who possessed very little
beyond q fair practice in an adjoining
village, he was very indignant. He could
not understand how a woman of my
quiet nature. to use his own expression,
lever came to fancy such rollicking
careless fellow" He forgot that people
always like their opposite.
No amount of reasoning could con-
vince me that had chosen unwisely and
that it was possible for me ever to regret
giving up the gayety of the city for a
life in Grayridge as the wife of country
attorney. Tom loved me, and was de-
voted to him. This was enough.
AS soon as my father became convinced
that remonstrance was useless, he re-
luctantly yielded his consent to our un-
ion and generously presented me with an
expensive and elaborate trousseau. l
never dreamed of the impression made
by my wardrobe Immediately subsequent
10 my marriage, hntil years after, when
circumstances brought to life the fact
that the handsome dresses (which had
stored away carefully in cedar chest
in one of the upper rooms of our cottage
for future use when the little girls who
call me mother might appropriate them)
were remembered by the more observant
ladies of the village.
Tom and had both sons and daugh-
ters, and as our income was moderate, /
did not attempt to keep up with the fit
full whims of fashion, and had adopted a
style of dress more commensurate with
our means. -
We had been married just ten years
when the Centennial burst on the country.
One bleak morning in February 1 was
surprised by a visit from two young
girls, respectively fourteen and sixteen
years of age. knew them both by
sight but between their mothers and my
self there had never been an interchange
of even the most formal calls. polite
1y asked them to be seated. The elder,
Miss Weems was the first to speak
Mrs. Houghton, she began, ''the
girls are going TO give Martha WASH
ington leap-year party" f., .--
Yes" interposed her companion Miss
Smith, land we are going to send cards
TO the young men, and we intend to take
them in rockaways and buggies, just to
cut them for letting us walk when they
take us to parties"
at go out so little, / said, "I seldom
know what is going on. L had not
heard of the party. When and where is
it to be?"
1t occurred to me that possibly these
girls had been commissioned to invite
Tom and myself. 1 could think of moth
ing else to which to attribute the unex-
pected visit.
MRS. Biedsoe has offered to loan us
her house." began Miss Weems, but she
was again interrupted by Miss Smith who
said:
''And Jim Bledsoe didn't half like it,
but you know his wife always has her
own way if she chooses"
Miss Weems pulled at her glove and
exchanged glances with her friend,
and finally said, with crest deal of en-
barrassment:
Mamma told me to ask you, Mrs,
Houghton, to please loan me your green
silk dress with the white fringe and bead
heading. You know we've all got to
wear old-time dresses, like them the
ladies used to wear in Gen'ral Washing
toms day"
was thunderstruck, but replied I'M
cOncernedly:
al am afraid the dress you allude to is
not sufficiently ancient for centennial
occasion" / wondered as / spoke how
her mother knew Iowned such dress.
"Oh, can alter it. she responded.
Mamma said you wouldn't mind, be-
cause it was out of date"
was glad Mrs. Weems selected the
dress IN question. as priced it less than
either one among those contained in the
cedar chest.
''Ill take the best care of it." contin-
ned the girl, her face aglow with pleas
ure at the prospect of wearing green"
like the fabled milk-maid
Just then Miss Smith touched her
elbow. and Miss Weems added, "Oh,
yes, I forgot! Mamie, here, wants the
loan of your 'byadeer' with the galloon
trimming to match"-a nudge from her
companion and o suppressed whisper
caused her to add; ''Sure enough! I
mean wide black lace trimming. Mrs.