Huntsville gazette., 1892-09-24
MENDiNG AND CLEANING.
What Made Mrs. Philip Glenn So Proud
of Her Sex.


What Made Mrs. Philip Glenn So Proud
of Her Sex.
The city was crowded with visitors,
likewise Emery g. Bros" silk counters
with rare barg AIMS" shining and soft
fabrics, which attracted a ''crush' of
shoppers. The day was sultry, and a
pretty young matron had been beguiled
into wearing, for days shopping in
the city, her handsomest gown of lace
and silk. The shoppers" crowded and
elbowed each other; consequently the
wearer of the ''perishable" material,
after the mischief was done, looked
with CONSERVATION upon half a dozen
rents.
TOO badr' said a pleasant faced
young woman at the gros grain counter.
1--WE ruined it. 1t was grandma's
shawl, and at least fifty years DID," re-
turned Mrs. Philip Glenn, despairingly.
81 think Grandma Ford or Clarice
could mend your lace. They do such
work beautifully. You'll find them at
number four hundred and twenty, just
around the corner" explained the clerk,
as another rush" claimed her atten-
tion.
In window of an old-fasioned house
Mrs. Glenn read: ''Laces Mended, But
tons Sewed on, Gloves Cleaned, ETC."
Mrs. Philip Glenn, vexed and impa-
tiept that she must spend time in hunt
ing out this style of women no doubt
''greasy and Unlocking old women"
who might, perhaps, draw together"
those gaping rents, which must answer
until she reached home, ran up the
stairs and with scant ceremony sought
out the ''mending bureau"
''Did you wish to see grandma?" in
quired Clarice Ford, slender, graceful
young girl, leaning upon crutch.
''I-I-think have made a mistake,
I was directed to the mending bu-
reau--"
''You were rightly directed. Clarice
and myself will undertake your work,
if it is possible to do it," said one of the
softest-voiced and most refined old la
dies Mrs. Glenn had ever seen.
The lace mending proved to be diff
cult task, quite beyond Clarice, and
would require time as well as patience.
me, as / can, in SO little time, only
temporarily repair the damage" said
Mrs. Ford, inspecting the torn places.
''ln other days, / wore a lace shawl
similar to this one. but went out into
society great deal, and it perished in
the using. All, yes l was, in those days,
shielded from rough winds blown by
poverty" continued grandma Ford.
Sixty-two and eighteen, two frail
women, the last of large family, and
poor, yet happy, and able to earn
shelter, plain clothing, and honest bread.
An accident, when sixteen, lamed Clarice
for life, and ended her hopes of filling
a lucrative and pleasant situation, and
we were proud We Fords have been
well born, and in comfortable circum-
stances.
"When Clarice was able to get about
again with the aid of her crutch, we
knew that we should soon lack bread.
Our hands were weak. and many are
wanting work A kind-hearted laund-
ress timidly suggested one day, that we
do the foine mendin, promising to bring
the 'worruk, if we wanted it. She did
secure d qudntity VI uiCHuiuS, WHICH
we were glad to do, and our small
venture encouraged Clarice to paint
our sign,' rent this bright room, and
once more set up for ourselves a home
nest.
During my young girlhood, the girls
were carefully taught mending. 1t was
a source Of pride to me, when able to
darn bad rent in fathers best coat, so
neatly that he must hunt to find the
place. To-day that accomplishment
nets me dollars Gentlemen bring to
me handsome dress suits which need re-
pairing, and elegant gowns find their
way into our bureau
Memory carries me back to the days
that were reluctantly spent in learning
to do fine mending, The open-work
embroidery, tufted work, netting,
knotting and fancy knitting was vastly
more attractive than taking the stitch
that saves nine. We have two assistants,
three days in each week, when the
gloves and ribbons are to be cleaned.
Small profits? Yes"
docs it pay to clean ribbons and
gloves, or mend ordinary wearing ap-
parel, when one can buy SO cheaply?"
.sThe stitch in time saves nine, to-
day, as it did when purchasing facil-
tiles were not SO great Mend half
worn or soiled articles with new ones,