Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-07-19

an EXPENSIVE GIRL

was sitting IN large splint-bottomed
rocking chair, rather gloomily Watching
mamma, who, amid little heaps of EN-
breidery silk, ard bits of bright satin, was
absorbed in that all engrossing mystery
called crazy work.
"And how did you find your uncle, my
deary" sne inquired, as she cut a piece OF
orange silk into some impossible shape.
"On! '5kip my dear uncle mamma l
exclaimed, impatiently, for herein lay the
secret Of my gloom. had Just returned
from an encounter with that parsonage,
and was ia consequence out OF humor.
NV uncle and / we're antagonistic. He
was bachelor, silent and superior; l
was young, ardent, and, SO he had said
this morning, extravaganza. This charge
which had met at intervals from my
earliest recollection, had this time
aroused my Indignation.
"Uncle,' said 1, rising and emphasizing
my words with my out stretched hand.
81 know you are fond Of calling me ex-
travapapt-in fact il has become so ven
erablo habit with you, that | fear it Is
useless to Try to uproot it, but you are a
reasonable being and | think | oan prove
to you that you arc wrong"
"Grace, stop one moment" he inter
rupted, with the quiet amusement which,
to my annoyance, l often provoked him.
"Whatever you are, do not be dramatic,
and never gesticulate. Your hands are
well gluved admit, but perhaps for that
very reason it is not the most powerful
argument in your favor, and when
brought into prominence it loses half of
its charms
My snubbed mousquetaires fell TO nay
side; but was not TO be 80 easily daunt-
ed. / continued, in subdued tones:--
~ have been told that figures do not
lie; aud figures toll me that | spend less
than any girl of nay acquaintance"
My uncle glanced at my costume. 1t
was new modish, and tasteful; ] smiled
complacenuy.
"This gown, sncle, will serve rs an illus
tration--it is simple and Inexpensive
"Your ideas of expense and mine may
not tally"
"That is true, and an wrong perhaps
in time saying That little has been expend-
ed on It, for il has cost some expense OF
thought. labor, and time, not TO mention
native skin. / hope 10 peases you, for |
cannot tell a he--l did it,
at does you credit admitted my
uncle.
"You know every one has some gift,
though II may be an humble one Mine
IL not ambitious, but it is useful. can
not charm the ear with my voice, nor the
eye with cunning strokes of the brush, but
| can save our modest income by being a
far of follower Of Worth. You know the
old poet said
'lly love Ia her attire doth show her wiz
s.That may DO, Grace" no replied, with
the placid smile which always drove me to
the verge of frenzy. "That may all be,
but am not poet, and to my practical
soul a woman's attire expresses the bias
of her mind. You may, and rightly, use
your Wit TO save your purse but you are,
nevertheless, essentially, an expensive
kind of girl. Every one will tell you so.
You show IL in your mien, your tone your
motiou,' TO quote the poet again
prayed for patience, and came home
in the mood before mentioned; for his
words had contained An unpelatable
truth. Every enc will tell you So
That was Just the worst OF it-that my
uncle but spoke the opinion OF others.
For among my circle OF friends, while l
was not slow to discover that was fav.
orite, was also quick enough to detect
that we were popularly supposed to be
living beyond our means.
ut seems little unjust, mama com
planned, after relating what mad oc-
Cured. interpreted wish appropriate re
fectious of my owu,-"that our principal
economy should pass for extravaganza.
And there Is no use IN trying 20 exchange
it. The world, for which my uncle Is
hot ~
which recognizes essential extravaganza
when II sees it,
rose and surveyed myself in the mir
Tor. ~ suppose there Is nameless
something about me which suggests lux
ury," | said plpuvely.
You certainly appreciate yourself,
Grace" remarked mamma,
"Of course / do, mamma OF rather,
my one tuleut-the ant OF making the
most of myself. You cannot deny that
my features require the exercise OF some
art" Mamma did not attempt 20 deny
it. How could shef
had TO begin with, the very doubtful
charm, a Hfs rstr0uSSc Now nose OF
that nature should be accepted and made
the best of mean by that, lt should
have an appropriate setting. Without
some ,ougrulty between dress and expires
sion q celestial nose becomes absurd,
celestial nose is not dympre, II is not re-
firing it is not heroic, nor does Il sug
gest noble aud lofty sentiments L IL
piqusnt if you VIII il is certainly SAUCE
and sometimes asserilye. 10 express. IN
measure, IT'S sentiment in my attire, was
my object In q word, -oye 10 dress
up to my moss. IL Is needless to say hat
this required some care, aud involved
many failures Not only was | obliged 70
avoid wha. more fortunately featured
girls could wear without thought, but
Otter my own designs failed me.
| stood, one dar, watching with enyi-