The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1889-09-13

SAS"0t', "hu ooLIo 5o1O CoiU, hnu makes
one to suit her fancy. Her rugs are all
Of Brussels or velvet. I have an idea
she despises my homemade affairs; but
sne does not realize how much 1 save.
Her fancy-work materials must cost her
a great DEAL"
Have you ever spoken to her about
it?"
Yes; I have more than once offered
to show her how to use all her old
clothes, but she has invariably said that
she thinks they serve a better purpose
If given away. Perhaps they may do
some good; but ten chances to one
they're pawned for liquor. I'd rather
see the use of mine. OF course 1 have
never said very much o n this subject, for
l feared to make a breach between lis,
and for TOMS sake I must avoid that.
But perhaps you can manage a few
words of advice, Lizzie
Il will if an opportunity Offers" said
Lizzie. 0.
The opportunity offered very soon.
Only q week later Mrs. Arden was
spending the day with Toms wife, and
had brought her crocheting to keep her
fingers busy while she talked.
"Ithink Esther the most economical
woman I ever saw" she began, when
dinner was over and the sisters in-law
had II chance to get acquainted with
each other. "Now, this great ball of
red saxony was a shoulder cape she used
all last winter; but Henry does not like
red, so he presented her with a blue
one, and the red was raveled out at once
to use for edging. There is enough to
trim a good many skirts"
Grace glanced up, but made no re-
mark, and went quietly on with her
work of outlining" a pattern on a
splasher with red silk.
Mrs. Arden feeling not exactly at
ease, but mindful of her promise to de-
liver those few words OF advice, con-
tinued:
"That's q splasher you're doing, I
see. Now, all the splashers in Esther's
house are made of pieces of old. lace
curtains, lined with some color"
Yes, I have seen them," said Grace.
"She puts everything to use. The ques-
ton to consider is whether it is the best
use. | have never argued the matter
with Esther, for I know she is almost
f~antical on the subject of her economy;
but l think it almost wicked to turn her
old dresses into cushion covers that she
don't need, her cloaks into slumber rugs
that are seldom used, and Henry's clothes
into rugs that conflict with every carpet
in her house. She considers a garment
given away simply wasted; but think o.
the poor people suffering for clothes
} Lizzie! 1 know all about them, for
visit their homes very frequently. Only
} last week a poor woman with five chill
t dren, who takes in washing, told me how
much she would like to go to church
| but she has no decent dress and only q
rag of a shawl. Think how glal she
would have been to have that old fur.
J lined circular of Esther's, and the alpaca
dress used to cover a cushion! And !
saw a little girl yesterday on the street
selling matches, no shoes on her feet, no
wrap of any sort about her. She was
shivering and blue with cold. How great
would have been her Joy had that red
worsted cape been given her! o, I can
find good use for all my old clothes; a
better use than turning them into cush-
ion covers and rugs. 1t is so easy to find
the deserving poor. Why, Lizzie, I can't
look at those portieres at Esther's parlor
door without a sinking at my heart. TIC
make them she cut up for months and
months all the old garments of worsted
and silk she could beg. Dresses, rib
bons, silk stockings, even a shawl, went
into that mill. She is proud of those
portieres, but I am glad they are not
mine. Esther thinks me extravagant be-
cause l buy woods and embroidery silks,
) and 1 buy no more than I can afford
) and they are bought of a poor girl who
keeps a little shop at the other end o!
{ town, and is struggling to support her
| self. Every penny spent at her counter
is a help to her. I only wish I could
spend more"
Have you ever spoken to Esther Of
| these things" asked Mrs. Arden.
| "Not as I have to you; I could not.
l She does not see her economy as / see
it. To lie it is all wrong"
' When Mrs. Arden went back tc
l Esther's house that night her admira'
. ton for the large, braided mats in the
hall and the "crazy" portieres at the
) parlor door was not as keen as it had
. been. She even sighed as she took the
thick, soft folds of the portiere in hel
5 hand.
. "Did you get a chance to give Grace
that little lecture I suggested" asked
: Esther, at the supper-table.
= EYES," answered Mrs. Arden, and then
spoke freely Of Grace's views on the
subject of the economy of old clothes.
: But she failed to convince her hearel
. that these views were sound; and Mrs
. Fame, one of a vast army of women who
share her opinion that charity begins al
. home, stills makes her old clothes into
= rugs, and is in a fair way to provide
. every chair in the house with a cushion
-ChriStian Union.
Q he COULD NOT SEE THE JOKE.
h (which would you rather have" SAID
I Jones to Brown, "a fve-pound note, OF
five sovereigns?"