The Southern herald., 1895-04-12
IN THE NEXT CENTURY.
The Oracle Tells a Story of Things
That Are TO Come.

The Oracle, who had been sitting
silent, not needing the conversation
that went on, suddenly broke out.
1t is the year l945. The scene is an
elegant mansion on Pacific Heights A
lady Is in the wide open hall, walking
up and down impatiently. She is in
the dress Of the period A tail coat Of
blue silk, such as negro Ininstrels wear
now, low-cut vest of delicate shade,
with diamond buttons; a frilled lace
shirt front, a white stand-up collar
edged with gold braid, white tie with
flower sprigs all over it; elegant silk
knee breeches, silk stockings and
delicately-tinted patent leather shoes.
She wears a rose-colored silk crush
hat, and she puts an eyeglass to her
eye as she looks up the broad stairs.
"Johnln
"Yes, dear"
Aren't you ready yet2'
"l1l be down in minute"
"Sainted Cecilial How long II takes
you men to dress I've been waiting
half an hour already"
"0nly ten minutes"
A tall, fne-loolsing girl IN livery
comes in.
'If You please, ma'am, the motors at
the door,"
John! Johnl are you not ready yet?n
'Please come and button the back Of
my coat"
'HolY Saint Annel Amt you any
further along than that2'
'The buttoning machine broke down,
and left me only half buttoned."
She turns to the girl In livery.
Go up and button the idiot. Do
hurry up, John, wen miss the first act. "
whats the play, dear?"
Don't you read the papers? Don't
you know it's the new version OF
'OthelloP"
II didn't know. You know never
get time to read the papers. What with
going visiting and men calling, never
get time to do anything"
"0h, for heavens sal1el Do come
along. want to hear the great scene
where Desdemona sauces her father
Before the duke?"
'Before the duchess This is the new
version, tell you"
"Marial'
"What is It, now?"
''Did | leave my handkerchief dowr
there?"
(which handkerchief?"
"The one with the Strawberries EN-
broidcred on it,"
Upon my word! You men dom
know where you put anything"
The husband comes downstairs. HI
is dressed in a silk waist, with ruffles
at tho wrists and around the neck, di
vided skirts of similar shade and slip
pers with buckles.
"Great Cleopatral John, you are no
going without your hat2"
"0f course | am. It's very swell
you know"
"No, John, that bald head would dis
grace me-"
81 can't help that, It isn't good form
to wear your hat at such q fashionable
first night"
John. you look positively indecen
without Tour hat. Go and put II on.
II know Jones Is not going to wea
his. His wife told him she didn't wan
him to-"
Jones, my dear, has head Of hair
Go and put on your hat"
"Why didn't you tell me beforeP
would have worn my other dress.
went and had my head mnnicured thi
afternoon Just for this affair"
John, you go and put on your hat.
won't take you to the theater II yo
don't. That's all there is about It."
II think it's real mean"
'Let me look at you. Why, you dom
mean to say you did not get you
whislxers curledP"
my dear, I've had them in papers al
highland al llmorning. They won't cul
worth cent"
II can'tstand thismuch longer, John
I'll have to dispense with your service
as husband"
~ tell you, Maria, If you don't hav
some more consideration for me I'll 2
home to my father"
"Go and put on your hat"
The husband goes mcelsly upstair
and comes down with q hat with wa,
ing plumes.
us that all rightP"
4 ''oh, yes, you'll have to do"
| They enter the family coach, coup
run by electricity in a storage batterJ
A handsome woman in livery is seate
behind; she turns crank and ava
they 60 at fifty miles an hour.
my dear" says the husband, you
really have to get me anew valet. Thi
fellow doesn't know how to take car
Of my dresses"
"You're always growing, Johr
Don't You know that we've got I
economic, anyway? My gold min
DOESN'T pan ont as well as expected
and that wheat deal nearly bursted M
Oh. by the way, / forgot to give You
Christmas present Here It is. Put
on your finger. outside Of your glove
want Jones to 80 It His wife negs
gives him anything
e isa beautiful ring, aet With half
llHHfFsa gems af EaFlaaa kinds