The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-03-20


ne, but so skillfully wele these defects
remedied by the adjustment of hair and
dress that they were scarcely noticed,
and she was considered by all who knew
her-ber husband not excepted-to be
an attractive and charming woman.
Mrs. Harding spent the greater part
of the morning in the attic overhaullng
a chest that had belonged to her hus-
bands aunt, apparently well repaid for
her trouble by garments ished up out Of
its dark depths, and which she carried
to her own room. Out of one of these
he fashioned dress similar in style to
the one for which her husband had ex-
pressed so much admiration.
II hate to disfgure myself sop she
thought as the straight folds fell lankly
around the tall, thin form, aking it still
more tall and thin, shut nothing else will
cure John, and il he keeps on he'll drive
me frantic
Then she proceeded to take down hei
heavy brsids of hair and, combing il
smoothly from her forehead over the
ear, arranged it into a pug low at the
back Of the head. t.s
$50 I'd gracious! / don't suppose
anything could make me look so muct
like fool!" CALCULATED Mrs Harding al
she noted the change it made 10 her ap
pearance "But no matter; it's only fo
this once, and l guess can stand it i
he can.
Taking round, DAT hat, very much il
vogue few years ago, and whose only
ornament was ribbon around tn
crown, Mrs. Harding went down int
the parlor.
She did not have to wait; ten minutes
later John came up TO the door in al
open pts on drawn by the we'll matchec
grsvs that we're the pride of his heart.
Running up the steps he opened th
door of the room where his wife sat.
He stared at her for a mo ment ir
dumb smszement.
"Heavens and earth, Mary, is tina
youi l thought it was-I don't know
what. What have you been doing will
yourself. .....-.
81 have been irving to carry out th,
hints you gave me this morning in regarC
to dress. l hope it suits you and yol
admire its effects.
"Well, no." responded Mr.. Harding
taking critical survey of the odd-look
ing figure before him. IL can't say
do. To speak plainly, you look like 8
fright"
II must say, john" retorted his wift
with an injured air, "that you are d ffi
cult to suit. have spent tho create
part Of the morning in following the
suggestions you gave me at breakfast
and still you find fault. What is 1t now
I'd like to know2 Here is the unhro.
ken sweep of the skirt. the classi,
outline of the head-I think that il
what you call it, And you surely can
not say that this is too high, or thai 1t:
elegant simplicity quote your words
lis destroyed by any superabundance
Of flowers, feathers and ribbons
Mr.. Harding turned very red.
"That is all nonsense, Mary. hac
only three hours at my disposal and it,
now $50 thought l should find yor
ali ready"
II shall be ready in half a minute,
responded his wife tying on her hat.
Mr. Harding looked at her in horri6ei
astonishment.
"Do you think that l am going te
take you out in such dress as that
Why, you look like an escaped lunaticT !
Just here the dcor-bell rang.
"It's Judge Howe" said Mr.. Harding
as he listened to the voice in reply to tGs
servant who answered it. "He's com,
ing expressly to see you. For pity:
sake go up stairs and put on something
decent. / wouldn't have him see you il
that dowdy thing for any considera
ton"
"Will You promise"
.I'll spromise anrthing.' interposet
Mr.. Harding drawing his wife to ware
the door which openel into the bacl
parlor, and through which she disap
peared just as their visitor was announc
ed.
In an almost incredibly short space o
time Mrs. Harding entered the psrlor
where her husband and their guest were
seated. looking so different that no ont
not intimately acquainted with her woult
have recognized her
Mr.. Harding drew long sigh OF re
lief as he looked at the pretty, tastily at
tired woman of whom he had so offer
spoken to his friend, Judge Howe, ant
to whom he was so proui to present
her.
In the gay and animated conversation
that followed, and all the pleasan
thoughts to which it gave rise, he forgo
everything else. Not so with Mrs Har
ding As soon as The door closed afte
their visitor she turned her laughing eye
full upon her husbands face.
"Now, John. let US have clear ant
fsir understanding. l want to suit you
il it is possible thing Which of ;hosl
two STYLES of dressing do you wish MI
to adoptp''
IL shouldn't suppose you'd ask such
1 question, Mary. Seeing you in The pc
culiar costume you assumed is quit
enough for me, assure YOU
81 assumed it 10 please yon-don
forget THAI
You failed in your object then. T,
speak frankly, | didn't suppose it posi-
BILE for you 10 look so downright ugly il
anything"
"You are over complimentary" laugh
ed Mrs. Harding. "But no matter
you're satisfied l am. Don't look s.
crestiallen, John; you are not bit NOR
inconsistent than the rest of your sex
who give ours so much sage advice i
regard to matters they know nothing
about. II the wives and daughters o
these modern Solomons should dress a
/. they advise other peoples wives an
daughters to do, they wouldn't be seel
ia the streets with them"
"I'm so glad Easter is coming" sal