The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-10-27
GIRLS AND THEIR CLOTHES,

of their clothes. They wear the las
new dress, not only on the steeet
but at home lounging in it; and wher
they finally take it off, throw it dowr
in heap, or at the most hang it ur
without brushing or shaking.
Gloves are treated in the same
way-the last new pair are pulled or
for shopping or visiting, it matters
not which, are soiled or defaced
often the first time of wearing, are
dragged off and thrown aside in a
string, and never recover from the
wrinkled old age thus prematurely
forced upon them. Hosiery and
shoes are selected for color and pref
tleSt without reference to more ser
viCeable qualities, wear out quickly,
and are not worth mending or resol-
ing; in fact girls who are dependent
on the work of some one else's hands
for daily bread and for every item OF
expenditure would elevate their noses
in the air if such an idea as mendins
their hose or having their boots re-
soled were suggested to them yet
this is what the Princess of Wales
did as girl and this is what some
women do who earn good living
tor themselves and others.
The care of clothing is one of the
surest marks of a lady. 1t shows
that she is accustomed to nice thirgs,
and to their proper treatment. 1t is
no excuse to say that the clothing
one possesses is not very nice, and
therefore it does not matter whether
It IS taken care of or not it does
matter. If a nice silk or all wool
dress is better for brushing and shak-
ing out, before hanging up evenly
by its loops in the wardrobe, or on
the nail behind the curtain, the cot
ton or cotton and wool dress needs
it all the more, and will not only last
longer, but look better to the last for
the care that is taken of it. There
is much closer connection between
animate and inanimate things than
we have any idea. See how they re-
spond to kind treatment. Take off
your handsome cloth or all-wool
dress when you come in from out-of-
doors. Shake it out, brush the dust
from the folds, hang the skirt by two
loops affixed to the inside of the belt,
and the waist by loops attached to
the inside edge of the sleeves. Or
you may fold the bodice, and lay it
on the top shelf of your wardrobe
or in drawer preserved for the pur-
pose. Mantle, gloves, hat, should
also be cared for. Draw the gloves
off, pull them out gently, and lay
them straight. If the bonnet has
strings, it is good plan TO roll them
round cork or spool occasionally,
to make and keep them smooth and
fraa fro -, ,,,~;,,1,loe
This sounds fussy and "old maid
ish" to American girls, but it is pay
ing old maids very high compli-
ment to say so. There is great
pleasure in keeping ones belongings
beautifully, no matter how simple
and inexpensive they are it gives
them an added value. There are
girls who have this without being in
the least prlm, fussy, formal, or any
thing else that is disagreeable in the
modern girls eyes. One such |
have in mind, lovely and sweet as
flower, gentle and attractive in man
ner, and simply considerate and ap
preciative OF everything and every
body ; it was that which made her so
care Ill. For she was not naturally
methodical, it was hard work for her
to train herself to put things in their
places and always at the time when
it should be done. But she was so
grateful to those who gave her any
thing, so fond of whatever was good
or pretty in any way, that she must
Immediately house" it, and keep
it free from hurt. Her books, her
pictures, her little ornaments, none
of them costly, took on an added
grace from the way in which she
placed and cared for them and her
clothing and personal belongings
seemed never to take soil or sign of
wear and tear.
When such a girl comes into, and
goes out of, the life of household,
out OF mothers, fathers, sisters
reach, what a blank she leaves A
place never filled, because so few
possess, or try to cultivate nowadays,
these simple, natural, womanly quail
ties.
Do not. dear young girls, be dis
couraged. because it is not easy for
you to remember or to be regular in
your habits of order, and careful and
considerate at first. Take care of it,
put it always in its place, and, keep
adding others. Cultivate thoughtful
ness. 1t is our business to remember
not to forget-and to say we " for
got" is no excuse; it only shows
want of conscience in details, thought
lessness where it is a duty to be
thoughtful, and willingness 10 put on
the shoulders of others the response
bilities which belong to our own.
Utilize spare moments of time, and
in this way embelish your wardrobe
with pretty things little crocheted
vests. collars, or cuffs, such as Aus
trian women trim their plainest
dresses with, and make them look