The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-07-03
THE LAST RESORT.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.


1t was sunshiny afternoon in late
May. 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's forewoman, looked up
with 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 n fashionable
dressmaker in Montagu street. Miss Gill
was second in command, and there were
six young girls who sewed in a 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 a curtained
recess by window, checking off large
order from the South. Miss Gill stood
behind the counter, and a pale, pretty
young women, dressed in mourning that
had lost its first freshness. was talking
earnestly to her.
$50 you have no vacancies at all2" said
she.
Miss Gill shook her head.
"None," she replied. But l think il
you were to apply at Severel's, next
door"
The pretty girl colored wildly.
IGUko ,,1,,a x.o,,Il not e,,,+ $40 i
she. "The fioor-walker-"
And then she stopped suddenly.
"Yes, l understand" said Miss Gill
''He is rather disagreeable. l wonder, >
she added, within herself, ''if this is the
girl I've heard of, that old Fitch, the
floor walker, was determined to marry,
whether she would or not. She is very
pretty. And I'm sorry for her, poor
thingm
81 don't know what to do" wistfully
added the girl. 81 am very poor, SC
very poor, and there are so few ways fol
a woman TO earn her living. If one coulC
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 il
trudged a stout, elderly woman, with /
black felt bonnet, and short gray curlg
blown into sad confusion by the riotoui
spring winds.
''Is this Mrs. Aramis's placel" de
manded she.
Miss Gill bowed courteously.
"Ive heard a deal about it, said tht
elderly woman. "Mrs. Judge Jexon, ou
our way, bought a maroon silk dree
here once. 1t was dretful tasty. AnC
/ was calculating to buy a black sill
dress myself. We hain't no good dress
makers at Eventown, so / sort O. though
I'd buy it ready made. Got any mic
| ones2n
Miss Gill came out from behind tn
counter. 1t was true that the oil
woman's bonnet was cheap in material
and ancient in make, and her genera
attire entirely deficient in effect; bu
these eccentric people were often the bes
customers.
Miss Gill drew forward a handsom
costume, above which was wax fac
simpered with perpetual smiles.
'How do you like thisf" she said.
Old Mrs. Blinn started
81 most thought it was alive, at first,
she said "That's an awful pretty dress,
peering through her spectacles at th
loops and puffs and lace cascades tn;
decorated the rich material. "What
the price9"
1--WE could sell this" said Miss Gil
making a mental calculation, ''for oI
hundred and twenty-five dollars. 1t
worth more, but"
Again Mrs. Blinn started.
"a hundred - and - twenty-five
dollars ln she echoed, "Why, that's mo
than Blinn's best team o. horses cost.
couldn't think O. giving that for
dress.
Miss Gill pushed the wax-headed fgu
back, not without some scorn in h
movement, and took big pasteboal
box from drawer.
"Here is bargain" " said she.
Mrs. Blinn pricked up her ears at t
word.