Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-09-20

wine-colcred cashmere dress which mad
faded and was so cut up with rutf1es
that it couldn't be remodeled. 1 made it
thick and warm by using my old fur
circular to line it. The fur was so worn
in several places that had to give up
wearing it, and Henry gave me plush
jacket, which is ever so much more con-
venient that the cloak ever was. But
the old thing was just what [ needed
for my slumber rug. There are dozens
OF other things I could tell you about,
but it isn't worth While There isn't a
room in my house that hasn't some
thing of my contriving. Inever waste
anything. Even my old straw hat was
turned into wall pocket to hold
grasses, and hangs in the hall. And l
save all my old flannel skirts for mop
cloths. Flannel wrings out nicely;
there's nothing like it. I even 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 and
gives me credit for much OF our pros
peritv."
"And you deserve it," said Mrs. Az
den, warmly
We'll, now to speak of Grace. If
she wants cushion shn buy, FIELD or
plush, lot of embroidery silk or
crewels, aud some gold cord: and makes
one to suit her fancy. Her rugs are all
of Brussels OF velvet. have an idea
she despises my homemade affairs; but
she does not realize how much / save.
Her fancy-work materials must cost her
great deal"
Have you ever spoken to her about
it?"
"Yes; 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 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 have
never said very much on this subject, for
l feared to make breach between us,
and for TOMS sake I must avoid that.
But perhaps you con manage a few
words of advice, Lizzie"
Il will if an opportunity Offers" said
Lizzie.
The opportunity offered very soon.
Only week later Mrs. Arden was
spending the day with Toms wife, and
had brought her crocheting to keep her
fingers busy while she talked.
Think Esther the most economical
woman I ever saw" she began, when
dinner was over and the sisters in-law
had Il chance to get acquainted with
each other. "Now, this great ball of
red saxony was 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 Is good many slirts. I"
Grace glanced up, but made no re.
mark, and went quietly on with her
work of outlining" pattern on
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 a 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. I have never argued the matter
with Esther, for know she is almost
fantical on the subject of her economy
but / 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 Henrys clothes
into rugs that conflict with every carpet
in her house. She considers 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 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 Esthers, and the alpaca
dress used to cover cushion! And [
saw 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; q
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 sinking at my heart. To
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