Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1893-06-24
TALE OF A BALL GOWN,

Before begin my story want you to
look closely at me- See my patterns
silver oak leaves and acorns on white
ground. Now examine my texture-ahi
they don't make such brocades nova
days. Be kinl c1ongh TO bear in mind
that am al heirloom
| was woven in France and brought to
Newport, where | was made up to be
worn at a colonial ball | was trimmed
with point lace ruffies then, and my mis-.
tress' hair was powdered and decked with
ostrich feathers
She wore "A coach and four of court
plaster on her forehead and other CO.
quettish patches on her cheeks Her
daughter wore one when sine danced a
minuet with Lafayette and her grand
daughter when she threaded the mazes
with Aaron Burr
After the Aaron Burr episode | was
carefully pinned in lavender scented
sheets and packed away in a cedar chest,
where for many years lay in undis.
turbed seclusion uncomfortable The
combined perfume Of cedar and lavender
was grateful to my senses.
One day | received rude shock.
heard a click above me. the linen cover
ings were torn away. and was literally
dragged out and violently flung upon a
chair, while a silvery voice cried: "Oh,
look here Sue isn't this stunnerY'
Then two young wonen-who were.
l must confess. reprehensibly pretty,
though their manners lacked the patri.
clan repose of my former mistresses-ex-
amined me with great delight, pointing
out my beauty and suggesting so many
ways OF utilizing me that my lace rufiles
shiyered with indignation.
From their conversation, which was
extremely difficult to comprehend, so in.
terlarded was Ii with extraordinary
words, gathered that they were grand
nieces Of my last mistress The old New
England home, where for many years
had peacefully rested, had come into
their fathers hands and they were ran
sacking it for heirlooms
My existence in New York began with
quarrel. Fannie and Sue fell ont over
me. Both wanted me--the one for anna
teur theatricals, the other for a bah
gown, to be yeiled in tulle. A compro-
mise was at last effected and was hand
ed over to Sue
| must not dwell on the physical suf-
fering ! was forced to undergo when
Sues dressmaker shipped and clipped and
ripped me-the subject is too painful
felt the cruel scissors and. most terrible
of all, was constantly put through an
engine OF torture. which ran with
ceaseless click
At last was again Joined together
all but one breadth, which the dress
maker put away to make sofa cushion
for herself-and then they draped n lot
Of fluffy stuff over me, packed me in a
great box and sent me to Sue
maid took Inc and laid me tenderly
on lace covered bed, where for few
hours ! lay in utter exhaustion.
Then | was lifted from the bed and
slipped over my new misstress' head and
hooked and fastened about her. When
was fairly adjusted and my last fold in
place, she stepped back bit. took long
look at herself. and said;
I'm simply deliciousr
blushed for the audacious little bag
gage. as did later, when. having sent
thS itAAO lut utAA IObIl iNE ftT
bouquet, she said as she drew on her long
white gloves
"lf this gown doesn't fetch Jack I'm
sure shall give up in despair
fetched Jack. That evening in the
conservatory he put his arm about me
and drew ne close to him and told Miss
Sue that he wished her to be his wife
And shei Why. she interrupted him.
In my day maidens were more shy But
Sue needed no hesieging She did not
look down, blush and sigh, bat only
snuggled more closely to the bold young
man and said, YES, Jack"
She wore me once or twice again
Then, pronouncing me a perfect rag, she
hung me ignominiously away IN dark
closet
Some time later hand clutched me
aud brought me forth 1t proved 10 be
that OF Fannie, to whom sue had given
me. Fannie, | soon lound. was stage
struck. ] learned that her father left
very little money. and she was preparing
to elevate the dramatic profession by en-
tering il.
OF course she made her debut in Juliet,
and, equally Of course. appeared with
her. l was furnished with bands nf
snowy feathers and some long, dropping
sleeves believe they called them angel
sleeves-were fastened to my shoulders
Thus renovated went in ON the potion
scene.
Eapnie made hit So | gathered
Hs4 ber conversations with her leading