The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-07-25
COSTLY FEATHER DRESSES.
Live Butterflies on Bonnets of Real Flow.
ers-Some Tricks in a Remarkable Trade.

"Don't sit there; there's big beetle on
the chair. Here, I'll get you seat. What,
something there also? Oh, that's only my
big spider. Here, I'll flop him off," So
spoke worker In feathers to Sun reporter
he had invited to look at what he called a
new folly In dress. He took from q band
which depended two strings, and which the
possessor was willing to take oath was bon
net. ayes, it's q carriage bonnet. As it
appears now there is nothing remarkable
about it, but 1t Is not ready yet. One mo-
ment, and I'll show you," and from band
box on the shelf he took out a magnificent
butterfly, and by dextrous movement at
tached it TO the flowers on the bonnet, that
now looked like an ordinary bonnet with the
butterfly on the flowers.
81 am only experime nting," continued the
man, "but when the bonnet goes home II will
be ready for use, not with dead insects, but
live ones. Under the petals of the roses
have a very delicate set of claspers, each
lined with a soft wax, into which the feet of
the insects fit, so that the animal Is not hurt
In the slightest. When the bonnet is used
the insect is put in, and during the ride rests
naturally, raising Its wings as in nature. In
fact, the bonnet, when ready, will be made
of fresh flowers, set in and caught by the
springs of the frame. Oh, yes, they are ex-
tremely fashionable. You see every lady
can have her bonnet of violets entirely, and
/ have butterfly from South America that
will cost $50 to 20 with 1t as an exact
match.
"Alive? OF course. have the cocoons of
almost every kind you can think of, and can
bring them out whenever wish by increas-
ing the temperature of the Matching box. A
rich spring bonnet is made Of daisies, and
have seen one made of buttercups. l had
two sulphur-colored butterflies upon 1t of
the genus Colias. You see the bonnets arc
either for a single drive or for an evening
entertainment where the head dress is to be
worn. Some cost moro than one hundred
dollars, Just for one night, and you can make
them cost as much as you wish. Yes, AMI
mails of one kind or another are always In
fashion, and the more they cost the better
they suit. You know, among the people
who make money suddenly, the majority
Judge everything by this standard, and when
get one as q customer always make all
can"
"a lady of this sort called on me some
time ago. l knew she was little fresh with
her money, so when she asked me what l
would make such and such a garment for l
bowed and said $500. This was $3.50 more
than 1t was worth. As expected, she de-
INJURED, and I Immediately begged her to
pay what she wished. made the garment,
sent IL home and received check for S4OO.
made, as you see, $50. There are thou
sands like her. They won't buy anything
unless 1t Is expensive. Last winter lady
came to me and said: Mr.. -, there is
going to be masquerade in Cleveland next
month, and wish to have the handsomest
and most original dress there. Can you
promise to supply itr Il can,' said l. 'What
will be the character you would suggest
said she. Il think said /, shat madame
would-look we'll In a bird of paradise cos
tune She gave me the order, and l made
q train dress Of the feathers Of the red, su-
perb king, and other famous birds of para
disc that cost $500; that is, it cost her that.
I had bought the skins the day before from
man who got them from Mr.. Holland at
loss. Between you and me, they cost me
$50. But after all l came near losing her
as q customer. She had q friend, who /
imagine was something of rival, and sew
eral days sftsr received the first OF der she
came In aud told me about the same story,
and also wanted the best costume. 'Yon
know what some of the costumes are TO be,
don't you? she asked, looking me in the
eve. | confessed that / did. 'Well,' and
here she handed me bill, and big one,
this is retainer that am not outshined.'
You can wager that she was not"
"What was the costume" the reporter
asked.
at was made up entirely Of the breasts Of
humming bird, and was rich metal purple,
and / don't know how many skins l used In
1t. But 1t was considered the prize costume
or course, the other lady came TO me in
rage, and the only way saved my hair was
by telling her that her dress cost the most
and was the richest and in the best taste.
Feather dresses, of course, are not common,
as the cost is excessive. The Emperor Of
Brazil has a robe of state that cost nearly
ten thousand dollars, SO have been told.
On one side 1t Is made up of the selected
feathers of the cock of the rock, and on the
other of feathers from the hummer, SO rare
that there are hardly ten specimens In the
United States. .... GE
81 occasionally get an order for trogon
feathers. They are found In South America
and Mexico, and are Of magnificent green.
l made an opera cloak Of them for Mexi-
can lady last winter. We have found new
use for the English sparrows. They are sold
for about cent apiece. The body sells as
reed bird, and we take the wings, dye them
red, yellow and blue, and sell them as South
American birds. No one would know the
difference