The Iola register., 1883-09-28
TRYING on A DRESS.

"There," said Miss Piping, the dress
maker, "let me ketch it up little on
this side" Then fishing pin out of
her mouth and sticking it into the cloth,
which she patted gently, as though
she were fsshioning biscuit, she con-
tinued:
There. now. that IS jest right-wait
a minute"-pulling out a basting
thread" there! Now look in the
glass. Mrs. Homespun, and see how
You like it. l want you to tell me Jest
what you think. 1 think it fits you
splendid"
"Don't you think" suggested Mrs.
Homespun, after going through series
of twists and turns which would cause
circus contortionist to grow green
are little too tightP''
''Not particle" replied the dress
maker, with emphasis; you'd oughter
seen Mrs. Showbody's sleeves, if you
think them tight"
Mrs. Showbody and I are different
persons" said Mrs. Homespun, still
looking at her sleeves. 81 suppose she
doesn't care how tight they are s long
as they are in fashion. want to be
comfortable; and with my little arms,
I'd look nice. wouldn't |, with tight
sleeves?"
"Oh, l can let them out, if you insist
upon it." said Miss Piping; ssbut don't
think they are bit too tight. What do
you think. Mary?" appealing to Mrs.
Homespun's niece.
IF anything, replied Mary, '.Idon't
think they are tight enough"
1T will do very well for you to talk,
Mary" said Mrs. Homespun, raising
her forefinger and dropping it into the
palm of the other hand to add force 10
her remarks; sit will do very well for
you to talk; you're young; but for an
old woman like me to try to make my
self like girl, it's perfectly ridiculous.
amt a-going to make ninny of my
self at my time of life. Anybody that
wants to jest because it's fashionable
can do so for all me; but 1 hope I've
got some sense left. What do you think
of them, Mrs. BrownP'
Il think they're just lovely" replied
Mrs. Brown mot bit too tight. They
look so to you, Nancy, because you've
been wearing that bombazine you've
had so long; but you'll get used to
them. Why. look at MINER
81 know. Hannah; you always was a
stylish body. But l believe I'd fly in
sleeves that 1 couldn't move my arms
in. DO you really think 1 look like a
fool in themp Come, tell me. don't
want to be laughing stock"
The trio assured her that they
couldn't see anything out of the way;
that they were just right, and they
never saw her look so well in anything
she ever had on.
Mrs. Homespun looked at the sleeves
with scowled brows, and finally said:
"Well," which, being interpreted,
meant that she was not convinced. but
would let the sleeves pass for the pres
ent.
Don't you think it sticks out too
much behindP" was her next criticism,
after nearly twisting her head off try
ing to look at her back.
"Why, aunt" exclaimed her niece.
"There!" interrupted Mrs. Home
spun. 81 know what you're going to
say. But you don't get any hustle on
to me. / don't want to look deformed.
When see folks sticking out behind so
Iwonder how they'd feel if they was
made U.''
s'Oh, but that isn't too much" said
Miss Piping. passing her hand down
the back breadth. Il should have made
it different, only you said you didn't
want it too full in the back But it
would set SO much better, now, if you'd
let me sew in piece of wigan. Let
me show you" And Miss Piping took
a newspaper. and, tumbling it up in her
hands, inserted it beneath Mrs. Home
spun's oyerskirt. There! how much
better that looksr' turning to Mrs.
Brown and Mary for their acquiescence.
"Ohi ever so much BETTER" said Mrs.
Brown.
why, auntie, you don't know how
nice you lookr was Mary's verdict.
ssTake it outr' commanded Mrs.
Homespun. "It's ho-rid.''
Miss Piping removed the offending
literature.
but you must have something in
it." she persisted; "when the stiffening
gets out of the goods, it will be IS fiat 5
a pancake. Let me tack a piece of
wigan in it. II you don't Like it, I'll
take it right out"
''Not so much as thati'' exclaimed
Mrs Homespun. Not more'n n half of
that''
"oh. dear. the whole of it won't be
too much"
81 tell you L won't have so much; 1
should never be happy in it,
"WeI, then said Miss Piping,
smiling; "Tll tear it in halyes.'' 2
After tacking and pinning and pulling
and patting, the thing is again ready
for inspection.
That's better. /" says the dressmaker.
"Much better" says Mrs. Brown.
Mary again thinks her aunt never
looked so well in her life.
"Idon't know, - says Mrs. Homespun,
hesitatingly. "Don't you think it's too
mueh?''
mot bit, /" is the woman's reply.
We'll, don't know" replied Mrs.
Homespun. adding, after pause, ..fH
keep the rest. so If it gifts too fiat, you
know" Then she takes smother look
at the background. Mary" she says,
81 wonder how one of them long bustles
would look-not one of those like yours.
all in bunch. If Ididn't think it would
make me look Like fool, perhaps
might git one"
LET me hitch it up little here"
said the dressmaker. "There, that's
it; now you want to have a bow
there"
Ne, won't have asbow. I hate
bows
1T would make it look SO much