The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-06-06
THE LAST RESORT.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES,

BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.
1t was a sunshiny afternoon in late
MR, The breezes that wooed apple
buds into blossom, far off in country
wildernesses, served but to send clouds
of dust along the city streets. But over
head the sky was blue and bright, all
dappled with white clouds, and Miss
Gill, Mrs. Aramis forewoman, looked up
with u sigh, and thought of the old farm
in Ulster County, where she used to live
many, many years ago, when she was a
girl.
Mrs. Aaron Aramis was fashionable
dressmsker in Montagu street. Miss Gill
was second in command, and there were
six young girls who sewed in big back
room, and couple of "fitters" to super
intend.
The spring fashions were advantage.
ously displayed upon various wire forms
and waxen dummies around the show.
room. Mrs. Aramis was in curtained
recess by window, checking off large
order from the South. Miss Gill stood
behind the counter, and pale, pretty
young women, dressed in mourning that
had lost its first freshness. was talking
earnestly to her.
$50 you have no vacancies at all3" said
she.
Miss Gill shook her head.
"None," she replied But think II
you were to apply at Severell's, next
door"
The pretty girl colored wildly.
"The place would not suit me-" said
she, "The floor walker"
And then she stopped suddenly.
eyes, I understand" said Miss Gill.
"He is rather disagreeable. l wonder, y
she added within he sa9 odd tAi s Is th htt
foor-walker, was determined to marry,
whether she would or not. She is very
pretty. And Pm sorry for her, pool
thing!"
II don't know what to do" wistfully
added the girl. ~ am very poor, Sc
very poor, and there are so few ways for
woman to earn her living. If one could
drown oneself, and be done with it. But
starvation is such slow death"
At that moment the creak of heavy
footsteps sounded on the stairs, and in
trudged stout, elderly woman, with a
black felt bonnet, and short gray curls,
blown into sad confusion by the riotous
spring winds.
els this Mrs. Aramis's place." de.
handed she.
Miss Gill bowed courteously.
'Tve heard a deal about it." said the
elderly woman. ''Mrs Judge Jexon, out
our way, bought maroon silk drees
here once. 1t was dretful tasty. And
was calculating to buy black silk
dress myself. We hain't no good dress
makers at Eventown, so | sort O. thought
I'd buy it ready made. Got. any nice
ones?"
Miss Gill came out from behind the
counter. 1t was true that the old
woman's bonnet was cheap in material
and ancient in make, and her general
attire entirely deficient in effect; but
these eccentric people were often the best
customers.
Miss Gill drew forward handsome
costume, above which was wax face
simpered with perpetual smiles.
"How do you like this?" she said
Old Mrs. Blinn started.
II most thought it was alive, at first, v
she said. "That's an awful pretty dress, "
peering through her spectacles at the
loops and puffs and lace cascades that
decorated the rich material. "What',
the price7"
"We could sell this" said Miss Gill,
making mental calculation, "for one
hundred and twenty-five dollars. It i.
worth more, but"
Again Mrs Blinn started.
"a hundred = and - twenty-five
dollars!" she echoed, "Why, that's more
than Blinn's best team O. horses cost. ]
couldn't think O. giving that for a
Dress"
Miss Gill pushed the ax-headed figure
back, not without some scorn in hel
movement, and took big pasteboard
box from drawer.
"Here is a bargain" said she.
Mrs. Blinn pricked up her ears at the
word.
IA surah silk, richly trimmed with
jets, which we can afford to sell al
seventy-fve dollars"
Mrs. BEnn's countenance fell.
"Tain't no use talkin'," said she
II can't affort no such price as that"
Miss Gill closed the drawer with !;
bang.
MAY / ask" began she.
"Td set my price at twenty five
dollars" said the customer. al DOM
want none O. your fancy fixin's. Some
thing good and plain would suit mel"
1--WE don't deal in any such quality o.
goods as that, !" said Miss Gill, elevatins
her nose and COMPRISING her lips.
81 might give thirty, if | was put t.
it."
"Quite out of the question" said Mis-
Gill. "0ur price for making up tn,
material alone is thirty dollars"
Mrs. Blinn sighed, took up her un
brella and alligator bag, and slowly with
drew. Miss Gill uttered sniff of dis
dain.
'tThe ideal" said she.
81 don't know what people expect,
observed Mrs. Aramis, from her recess.
Out on the pavement, however, as Mrs
Blinn was unhitching the horse anC
gathering up the time-worn reins, a pale
pretty young woman accosted her will
timid eagerness.