The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-08-03
A POOR WOMAN.

1t was a stormy day in January, Will
the housetops all cased in armor Of
glittering icices, the sleet driving
steadily from the east, and the pave
ments a 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 satir
painted screen held up between hel
face and the too ardent glow of the
Goals, was chatting with Mrs. Peterson,
a dear particular friend, who had dared
the inclemency of the weather to dis
cuss the importance of coming ball
and is alternative toilet.
Mrs. Sutherland was in pale-blue
cashmere, faced with quilted silk, and
edged with a foamy line OF swans
down. Mrs. Peterson wore seal-skin
and velvet with Paris hat and gloves
that fitted like the skin itself. And the
apartment was decorated with deep
blue brocatelle draperes. carpet of
blue Administer, and all the tiny eases,
jardiniere, shell-shaped easy chairs,
and painted China dragons that are
nowadays deemed absolutely necessary
for the furnishing of modern room.
And, strange as it may seem, the topic
upon which these ladies were convers.
ing 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.
'Fm ashamed--yes. positively
ashamed-to tell You how little the
girls ball-dresses cost" went on Mrs.
Sutherland. "But l told this Mrs
Wharton-thats her namo that I
should pay so much and no more. She
could take the fob 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. Twas
gratitied 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 let them think
you re going to empty your whole purse
into their hands"
I'm be very particular" said Mrs.
Peterson, land I'm SO much obliged to
you dear!'
'Pray, don't mention it love-" said
Mrs. Sutherland; aud these allies kissed
one another good-by with affection ate
eifusion.
MRS. Peterson departed in a 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 a small suburban house, Mar
garet Wharton, with a shawl around
her shoulders, was stitching away,
Dreathlessly anxious TO complete the
work She had undertaken for Mrs
sutherland; while Elsie, her pale little
daughter, was quilting white Spanish
lace into the sleeves and neck Of the
satin bodice.
Mamma" said Elsie after long
pause, aren't these ladies richp"
81 suppose 50, dear" Mrs. Wharton
answered with sigh. take care.
DO sure you keen the edges of that
blonde perfectly even, my dear"
"Ihen why don't they pay you as
much as Madame Rapp's customers
pay herp"
Because Madame Rapp is famous
dressmaker, DEAR" Mrs. Wharton 70.
Piled, land | am only a poor seam.
stress"
but you sew so beautifully man.
ma" urged Elsie; land Madame r
herself used TO consult you about the
trimming Of the dresses"
Mrs Wharton sighed.
Things are strangely ordered in thi,
world! said she. 81 think. Elsie
DEAR we must have lamp. The LIGHT
IS 80 imperfect to-day, and nv ewes are
wearied with sewing so late last niphtr'
Elsie looked piteously at her mother
Mamma" walled she. ~ vour
eyes should fail--if. mamma-wba; ~
the world would become of uspn ""' ="
Margaret Wharton burst into tears
''Oh, Elsie. child, that is Just what
have been thinking Of myself" admit.
ted she. but /. is idle folly TO 90 and
meet trouble before it comes. Livht
the lamp, dearest; must not stop Tor
y momentp" 44
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 youp"
Yes" her mother admitted, with
sigh. They are very deliberately
trimmed"