Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-07-05


spectacles directly on the girls face.
Il make gowns-yes. s.
Mrs. Blinn paused, with her foot on
the muddy wagon step.
And" added Miss Frederick, Il
can undertake TO make you nice,
plain black silk dress for twenty
eight dollars
I'm willin' to pay that much, said
Miss Blinn. when can you measure
me?'
"To-morrow," said Miss Frederick.
"At No. -, Sixth Avenue, at ten
O'Clock. | will see about the material
at once
I'll come, said Mrs. Blinn. Its II
sort O bother Iacketin in and out OF
the city, but there's to be a wedding
in the family, and want the dress to
wear week after next.
1T shall be ready" said Miss Fred
erick.
She watched the creaking vehicle
Jolt down the street, and then went
straight to the neat little room of
friend of hers, who had just opened
an unpretentions milliner's shop at
No. - Sixth Avenue.
Jenny" said she, Il want to bor-
row your room for an hour to-mor-
row. I've got a customer, and can't
take her to the dark hall bedroom
where | hibernate. And | want to
paint little sign, and tack it above
yours-for this occasion only
MISS FREDERICK, Dressmaker. y
You shall, and welcome - said kind
Jenny Plympton. -
Mrs Blinn came, and was duly fit
ted.
Miss Frederick showed her sam
pie of silk, which Mrs. Blinn looked
at this way and that, raveled out, and
rubbed between her thumb and fin
ger in knowing manner.
Its good silk" said she.
Yes" said Miss Frederick, lit is
good silk"
when can you have it ready?'
by Saturday night"
I'D sort o like to try it on afore !
pay for il" hazarded the old lady.
II will bring it out myself and try
it on you" said Miss Frederick.
Mrs. Blinn frightened up at one.
Twill your said she. I'll send
the farm boy in for you, then, with
the wagon, an p'raps you'll stay over
Sunday with me? You look sort o
pale. Mebbe it would do you good
to breathe the country air"
II should like it Of all things" said
Miss Frederick, eagerly.
She arrived on Saturday night, with
the dress carefully pinned up in brown
paper.
She tried it on, and Mrs. Blinn, Ma
omi Blinn and Susanna Blinn all pro-
nounced it "a perfect fit"
such rich silkr' said the old lady.
"a deal better quality than Mrs.
Judge Jexon'sr'
Such pretty jet bangles all over
it, said Miss Susanna.
Such stylish cutr' cried Naomi.
Ma looks dreadful ladylike in it! /
wonder if Miss Frederick would make
me one?"
"A black silkg" cried Susanna, in
credulously.
NO, TO be surer' said Naomi IAN
alpaca, or challi, or something-Eh
what's the matter? Is she sicky"
For, even as Miss Frederick was ad-
justing the sash drapery Of the new
gown, she sank fainting TO the floor.
Il think it must have been because
| was so weak" she murInured, when
at last breath came and sense re-
turned to her. Il have eaten moth
ing but bread and water for a week
Mrs. Blinn who, good soul, thought
a deal of her breakfast, her dinner
and her supper, uttered cry Of dis
may.
Il am dreadful hypocrite!n said
Miss Frederick, smiling family. II
may as we'll tell you the whole truth.
I'm not a dressmaker at all-only a
shop girl-only used always to help
with poor maInma's dresses and my
own when-when We had money.
Mamma is dead now. This" glanc-
ing at the silk gown, was her best
black silk, that | never could make
up my mind to pawn. She only wore
it half dozen times, and / sponged
and turned it all carefully. It's not
new, but-but-Oh, / am such a
wicked fraudr' and she burst into
tears
Don't fret, dearr' said kindly Mrs.
Blinn. folding her in her capacious
arms.
'aThe dress is beautiful. Didn't i
say what fine quality it wasf and a
good deal nicer than the money would
have bought for me anywhere else
-
"And the fit,n interposed Naomi
Its just like the fashion plates"