New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-05
THE MISTAKE VAS PARDONABLE.
NETWORK FASHION IN MAINE WOODS ALMOST
BROKE UP THE BALL.

NETWORK FASHION IN MAINE WOODS ALMOST
BROKE UP THE BALL
A pretty country girl who has come to spend the
Christmas holidays in New-York among relatives who
had made midsummer visit TO her fathers farm In
the woods Of Maine brings an Interesting story 10
town, which makes her friends laugh heartily
at the ignorance Of the butt though most men. when
they hear It, excalm No wonder" and sympathize
with her.
In the country village near the Maine girls home
there exists good deal OF rivalry among the daughters
Of the farmers 10 who shall be the Acknowledged
belle OF the country side. The rivalry Is keen, and
two or three Of the competitors are pretty evenly
matched for first place. Lizzie Brown, however
the Maine girl tells the story TO her friends, laid
her plans to Guido them all at the ball on Thansgv-
ing eve A rich old aunt Of hers who lives in New
York had sent her q present OF handsome gown. j
think now that some one must have made II present
TO the aunt and she, having no use for the new
tangled thing had sent It to Lizzie for lack OF some
thing better.
@Lizzie said not word about 1t to any one. Her
mother knew about it, OF course, but she, too, was
ambitious for her daughters success and too deter
mined that no girl should copy hey szzies dress or
take of the edge OF Lzzes triumph to lessen the sur
prise by saying anything about 1t. When the ball
was fairly under way Lizzie sailed into the room and
quito took our breaths away by her beauty she
Is pretty girl, blonde OF beautiful complexion and
the gown became her wonderfully. 1t was OF black
surah silk, cut "yo shape before and with Vatican
effect behind and trimmed with real creamy lace,
and Il lust did look lovely. Lizzie sailed around In
IL as proud as peacock and turned all the rest OF us
green with envy, for none Of us could approach her
gown I'm stylishness of cut or richness OF material
I'VE all asked her where sheVgo II, of course, for
we knew she could not ford to buy it. When she
told us that 1t came from her wealthy aunt In New
York. who had said in the note accompanying it, that
II was in the latest STYLE admiration and envy were
increased and Lizde's triumph was coTespondingiy
heightened One girl, however, was bold enough 10
nsnuate that she did not think was the very latest
STYLE She said that school teacher from New-fork,
who was in poor health, had that day come to pay n
visit to the Jones family and that she was coming 10
the ball with Jennie Jones, and that she might DC
asked to pass judgment Oh the dress.
Lizzie was not at all alarmed at tne prospect
She invited inspection and defled Criticism inc
school teacher from New-loK was late, ana Lizzie
had .cut out several of the girls before she came and
was carrying things with high hand. Finally tIe
teacher arrived and before she could get her wraps
off, was told AL about the gown Sile peepeu ouI VI
the dressing door at Lizzie and as soon as she
saw the gown the Queerest expression came over er
10 Sit down. When she was able to answer our
inquiries, she exclaimed:
a'Whyi It's a nghtgown'!
ga night-gOwn squealed In chorus. 80,
"sYes' she answered '0ne Of those new-fashl oned
elaborate night that great sweS and actresses
wear - Oh my ny! That should ever nave seen 0n'
.When Lizzie heard the verdict, she tainted: the
men nearly died from laughing and the whole nelgDor-
hood will talk OF little else for month"