The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1889-09-13

turned into . wall pocket to hold.
grasses, and hangs in the hall. And I
ave all my old flannel skirts for mop
cloths. Flannel wrings out nicely;
there's nothing like it. Ieven sew my
odd pieces of silesia and cambria to-
gether for busters. When washed they
are very soft. Henry thinks my econ.
omy and thrift really wonderful aud.
gives me credit for much of our pro.
perity."
@And you deserve it," said Mrs. Ar
don, warmly.
well. now to speak Of Grace. II
she wants . cushion she buys felt or
plush. q lot Of embroidery silk or
crewels. and some gold cord, and makes
one to suit her fancy. Her rugs are all
of Brussels or velvet. I have an idea
she despises my homemade affairs; but
she does not realize how much I save.
Her fancy-work materials must cost her
q great deal"
"Have you ever spoken to her about
it?"
sYes; 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 o 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 on this subject, for
I feared to make o breach between us,
and for Toms sake I must avoid that.
But perhaps you a manage a few
words of advice, Lizzie"
II will if an opportunity OFFERS" said
Lizzie.
The opportunity offered very soon.
Only u 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 aver saw" she began, when
dinner was over and the sisters in-law
had u chance to get acquainted with
each other. Nov, 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 q blue
one, and the red was raveled out at once
to use for edging. There is enough to
trim q good many skirts"
Grace glanced up, but made no re.
mark, and went quietly on with her
work of @outlining" o pattern on q
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 . 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.n
Eyes, I have seen them" said Grace.
"she puts everything to use. The ques-
ton to consider is whether it is the best
use. I have never argued the matter
with Esther, for I know she is almost
fantical on the subject of her economy;
but 1 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 q garment
given away simply wasted; but think of
the poor people suffering for clothes,
Lizzie! 1 know all about them, for I
visit their homes very frequently. Only
last week a poor woman with five chill
dren, who takes in washing. told me how
much she would like to go to church ;
but she has no decent dress and only a
rag of a shawl. Think how glad she
would have been to have that old fur
lined circular of Esther's;. and the alpaca
dress used to cover a cushion! And /
saw o 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 oil my old clothes; a
better use than turning them into cush-
ion covers and rugs. 1t isso easy to find
the observing poor. Why, Lizzie, I can't
look ut these portieres at Esther's parlor
door without a sinking at my heart. Tc
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 o shawl, went
into that mill. She is proud of those
portieres, but I am glad they are moi
mine. Esther thinks me extravaganza be
cause l buy woods and embroidery silks
and I buy no nor than I can afford;
and they are bought of a poor girl who
keeps q little shop at the other end o.
town, and is struggling to support her
self. Every penny spent at her counter
is help to her. I only wish I could
spend MORE"
sHave you ever spoken to Esther o
these thinRs?" asked Mrs. Arden.
sNot as I have to you; I could not
She does not see her economy as I Sc,
it. To me it is all wrong"
When Mrs. Arden went back t.
Esther's house that night her admira
ton for the large, braided mats in th,
hall and the .crazy" portieres at tn.