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

III was SullSulllN dlleIlOOli III iuto
Nav. 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
overhead the sky was blue and bright,
all dappled with white clouds, and
Miss Gill, Mrs. Aramis's forewoman,
looked up with a sigh, and thought OF
the old farm in Ulster county, where
she used to live many, many years
ago, when she was girl.
Mrs. Aaron Aramis was fashiona-
BILE dressmaker in Montagu street.
Miss Gill was second in command, and
there were six young girls who sewed
in a big back room, and a couple of
filters" to superintend.
The spring fashions were advan-
tageously displayed upon various wire
forms and waxen dummies around the
showroom. Mrs. Aramis was in a
curtained recess by window, check
ing off a large order from the South.
Miss Gill stood behind the counter,
and a pale, pretty young woman
dressed in mourning that had lost its
first freshness, was talking earnestly
to her.
80 you have no vacancies at all p
said she.
Miss Gill shook her head.
None" she replied. But l think
if you were to apply at Severells, next
door
The pretty girl colored vividly.
THE place would not suit me, said
she. THE floor walker
And then she stopped suddenly.
Yes, | understand, said Miss Gill.
'He is rather disagreeable. l won
der" she added, within herself, IF
this is the girl I've heard of, that old
Fitch, the floorwalker, was deter
mined to marry, whether she would
or not. She is very pretty. And I'm
sorry for her, poor thing"
Il don't know what to do" wistful-
yadded the girl. Il am very poor, so
very poor, and there are so few ways
for a woman TO earn her living. If
one could drown ones self and be done
with it. But starvation is such a slow
death.
At that moment the creak of heavy
footsteps sounded on the stairs, and
in trudged a stout, elderly woman,
with black felt bonnet, and short
gray curls, blown into sad confusion
by the riotous spring winds.
'Is this Mrs. Aramiss place. de
manded she.
Miss Gill bowed courteously.
I've heard a deal about it, said
the elderly woman. Mrs. Judge Jex-
on, out our way, bought a maroon
silk dress here once. 1t was dretful
tasty. And l was calculating to buy
"a black silk dress myself. We hain't
no good dress-makers at Eventown,
so | sort O thought I'd buy it ready
made. Got any nice onesF'
Miss Gill came out from behind the
counter. Ii was true that the old wo-
mans bonnet was cheap in material,
and ancient in make, and her general
attire entirely deficient in effect; but
these eccentric people were often the
best customers.
Miss Gill drew forward handsome
costume, above which was wax face
simpered with perpetual smiles.
How do you like this?'' she said.
Old Mrs. Blinn started.
Il most thought it was alive at
first" she said That's an awful
pretty dress peering through her
spectacles at the loops and puffs and
lace cascades that decorated the rich
material. What's the price!'
I'VE could sell this" said Miss Gill,
making a mental calculation, for one
hundred and twenty-five dollars. 1t
is worth more, but
Again Mrs. Blinn started.
"A--hundred-a twenty-five
dollars" she echoed. why, that's
more than Blinn's best team o horses
cost. i couldn't think o giving that
for a dress"
Miss Gill pushed the wax-headed
figure back, not without some scorn
in her movement, and took a big
pasteboard box from drawer.
Here is bargain" said She
Mrs. Bl:nn pricked up her ears at
the word.
"a surah silk, richly trimmed with
Jets, which we can afford to sell at
seventy-five dollars"
Mrs. Blinn's countenanee fell.
..Tain't no use talkin'," said she
II can't afford no such price as that. =
Miss Gill closed the drawer with a
bang.
May l ask" began she.
ssT-l Gva dol