Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-02-27
Temperance.
A C0nSecraled Velvet Dress.

home made bright by freight She wal
talking to her cousin, Mary Allen, upon ,
subject of importance since fig leave,
were first worn for covering. The dis
cussion concerned new dress, whether il
should be silk or velvet. Mrs. Arthur was
conscientious woman. and in the smalles
purchase was guided by her sense of right
so the matter of the dress had to be looked
at on all sides. Her husband wished her
to dress handsomely, and always talked
with his wife Of their finances, so she
knew what was prudent. Love of dress
| had never been her weakness, indeed she
| could see where she had failed in this
direction. not in neatness. but in dropping
social duties, because not prepared 10 meet
them.
Does not inclination sometimes clothe
itself in the excuse of IA sacrifice that we
may quiet disagreeable suggestionsp
When we are told to "be in the world,
hut not of it," | think part of the meaning
is, not loving it. So when quiet life suits
rs best, we do not understand part of our
duty is to purify what is right and proper
in itself, only wrong because buses have
come in. American women have this
phase of life socially to accept, and their
duty is plain in tho positions ia which
God la, piaond each one.
The question of how far II WAS li5ht to
expend money for dress had been vexed
one for years to Mrs. Arthur while the
proper amount of sacrifice to be used in
giving had caused many a wakeful hour.
though never liking parties. or indulging
in round dances, and when in year after
marriage a little daughter came to gladden.
the home, then delicate health she gradu.
ally withdrew from any but quiet family
gatherings. In these years the struggle
came concerning dress with all the pros
and cons. But light dawned at last, partly
in study OF temperance matters. When
the national w. G. Il. U. met in Louisville
in '93 comments upon the fact that the
women dressed well proved one Of Mrs.
Whital Smiths "eye-openers.' 1t proved
80 many things TO Mrs. Arthur that she
felt that consecrated dressing might
assume proportions of great importance in
the work. Upon the evening of Mrs.
Barnes report, when Mrs. Barney and Miss
Wadsworth spoke with so much power,
the call to take up the work came to this
Christian woman and here she determined
to give up the best of heart and head to
the temperance cause. 1t was her nature
to work earnestly so it was no wonder to
friends who knew her that it became the
tally thought and prayer Of her life. Her
lot was cast with the young women and
hen came the question whether society
should not be taken up again for the sake
If the cause. The work must be aggres
,lve and storm ihe enemy, opening the
way where many will follow but not lead.
And so we reach the discussion concern.
ing the velvet dress. 1t was decided to
be more u,licous than a silk, because less
varving in style and always elegant, while
he lighter goods grows shabby. but in
@ purchase it was dedicated 10 temper
ance.
Dear friends, in all honor to the noble
who will wear plain gloves, and
20 without in warm weather, that our
reasury may replenished, we ask do We
not have the opposite side of the question
To consider also, for the advancement of
he causc9 If in no other way we c.n
contribute TO the fund believe it right to
m axe this sacrifice, bu, / do think such
hings may become So excessive as to be
sentiment. We must try 10
trike the happy melium. and that desire
has prompted this article. 1t is true, that
f we arc outre in dress we c,nnot be as
attractive to our friends rs when conform.
ns TO proper customs nor cin we avoid
repelling many We nigh. win. Right here
he quesiDn s-tted itself for me, and my
friend Mrs. Arthur agrees with this con.
clu.ion.
With her con5ecratel velvet dress she
lried to win the Joung cousin, Mary Alien,
by showing the waJ 10 good work need
not make her peculiar in this line.
The Y. w. G. L. U. wanted to 90 into
society to establish its position as social
factor, SO New Year recep ion was
chosen us the proper way to make the
debut. 1t was to be held at Il private house,
with the names of the ladies announced as
in any other ease, and everything done TO
make it charming IN Il simple way. The
girls entered INTO it with zest, and kindly
made the labor light for the president.
No one bought dress for the occasion,
but all managed to look wonderfully well
and 10 be so charming to each other and
heir guests that soma gentlemen reported
i the most ceightful reception of the day,
which was wretched enough outside TO
make the warmth and light within very
INVITING. Plants were about the rooms,
7. w. G. I. U. in smilax on the mantel
10 mbrequin met the eye from the door,
while just above stood dish of pure white
lowers. Hand painted temperance pledges
we're scattered about for souvenirs, 10 any
who wished them, while Two copies of
Woman and temperance, laid on tables
o be taken up in leisure moments. No
temperance talk was INDUCED in, unless
he guest opened the way. The refresh
nents were simple, but all Of the best, and
we'll served salad, bread, pickles and
,offee, two kinds of ices, cake and fruit.
The number of guests was not so large
Is it will be another year, because many
gentlemen expected to be attacked if they
ouched wine. But one hundred and fifty
lad the courage TO come, many men of
distinction in the professions, while the
'eal society men came together Qor self
and then did not want ito leave,
ome staying an hour. The dear girls all
wore white ribbons, and one gentleman
begged for one as distinction of honor.
OF this band of girls, Mrs Arthur is lead
n, and as she received the guests in the
velvet dress her society friends
,ould find no lack of care for any womanly
Ways of old, though her soul was in her
work. and she had spoken in public
Meeting. 1t was altogether victory for
he Y. w. C. T. u, and there footing is
,ecure now.
To the presidents heart have come
many loving thoughts of the girls who so
,ravely took their stand, and when they
eft her, no word of envy or jealousy had
,een spoken to mar the day. This report
would be incomplete without saying Mr..
lin graced the reception with his pres
nee. So one Y. W. c. 7. U. has entered
ociety.
EMPLOYMENT ESSENTIAL TO HAPPINESS.
1t may be laid down as an inconlrover-
ibe principle that no family can be happy
Without mployment-regula diversified.
ontinuslly recurring employment. Thsre
nay be the possession of wealth, there
nay be an ample and beautiful domain.
here may be everything externally 10
ninv hnt unlass thara ha an opnronriata