The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-09-08
THE GREEN HARBOR DRESS
MAKER.

most important parsonage IN the village
at Green Harbor, and there is no place SC
much visited as her shop, which is stu.
ated on the first floor of her own little
house at the corner. When my acduaint-
ance with the lady first began, suppos.
ed that she was single, Judging not only
from the fact that she was called Ms
Babsou, but because there was something
in the twist of her natural ringlets, and
in the tone Of her jews harp-Iike voice,
which suggested single -blessedness. But
/ [ soon discovered my mistake. She is
not one who makes her griefs unbearable
/ by conceaing them. She gives each new
customer the full particulars of her sever
al widowhoods, and talks as if burying
husbands were the chief occupation of
woman. She is q tall, rather plump
woman, of forty-fve, or there abouts.
Her mouth has a peculiar expression,
owing to habit of keeping it perpetu
ally filled with pins. Her reddish brown
hair grows down on one side of her pol
ished brow, after a fashion which is call
ed by her reighbors a lick. Her
pale complexion is delicately tinted with
green, and her light-grey eyes have a
gnttering brightness. A look of mourn
ful iiveiness pervades her whole counte-
nance.
She is not only the dress-maker of the
village, but fills various other important
positions with great credit. She makes
and trims all the bridal bonnets in the
region, though there is another outraged
millinery at the Landing who serves on
| ordinary occasions. As a nurse she is
| quite famous, though unless the case be
particularly attractive or extremely se-
we're, she does not feel justified in leav-
| ing her shop to the tender mercies of
Idelia Rosanna, the fightiest niece that
ever wise aunt was afflicted with, to de-
vote herself to the care of the sick. As
a doctress she is also highly valued; and,
as there IS no regular physician within 5
miles, her skill is often called into prac-
tice. When, as she phrases it, any one
is "called away" in the town, her SER
vices are always 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 agent for Butterick's patterns, the
proprieress of a celebrated eye-wash, and
| the general adviser OF both cid and young
| in the town, and several neighboring
towns as 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 make
a purchase or not, it is well worth the
while to visit it on summer morning.
To be sure, your entrance is likely to be
attended with some difficulty, as the gate
of the fower-flled yard in front is fas-
tened by unique sort of latch-an in
yention Of the latest-lamented, who GER
tainly must have been a genius, and one
which she piously retains in memory of
him, though some of her customers pre-
fer to climb the fence rather than at
tempt to make an entrance by solving its
mysteries. Then small dog, belonging
70 ornthor o,y,o,,tol al. l.,
ably to strangers. Once inside, through
the politeness of Idelia Rosanna or the
aid Of an experienced neighbor, you draw
a long breath of relief and prepare your
self to enjoy the situation. Through the
open doors and windows, on the breath
of whole souled breeze, comes the pun
gent aroma of the sea, which sparkles
not far away. You listen to its music
and the sleepy rustic of the wheat-field
opposite while waiting the shop mistress,
who is invariably detained by some
household duty and apologies elaborate
" for the untidiness of her personal ap-
pearance when she finally enters The door
III solemn haste. The sunshine dances
on the painted floor and peeps with eyes
as curious rs your own into the crowded
show case, from whose splendid abund-
ance Idelia Rosanna is bedecked as
maiden was never bedecked before. What
does it not contain within its crystal
clearness? Gorgeous flowers, the SEM
blance of nothing which grows in either
field or garden; amazing articles, design
Ell as ornaments for the neck, heaped to-
gether in many-colored splendor; accor-
dions, which share the palm with melo-
deons III Green Harbor ideas of melody:
cotton laces in rich lowered patterns;
dazzling display of iewe,ry, beads, brace
lets, necklaces, with great variety of
precious stones glIttering from elaborate
settings; scissors, pocket knives, pink
and white candy, spectacles, rattles, rain
bow ribbons, crocheted edging, cough
drops, collars, golden cement, dolls, and
fancy soaps, TO say nothing of patent
A-ANNN4NA-ASS sNiANl q S!14iIll dSSOEjID6ll OF
books, evidently chosen solely for the
elegance of their bindings. The well-to-
do sea-captains are building new houses
at Green Rarbor of late, and no new par.
ior Is complete without few gorgeous
books for the centre table. Outside the
showcase are also many fascinating
ugs,-bonnets, daintiIy covered with
pink netting as protection from the
flies; stamped patterns for rugs, in rich
and strange variety; Britannia teapots.
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
room is ALWAYS omen and reveals q cosy