The Somerset reporter., 1898-04-14
Here and There. No. 4

III Inc spring 1OiloWluS tho Sifii Wal
there was dearth of brightness in many
a home where luxury had once been in
full blossom. But beautiful, gay and
thoughtless spring was quite as tempt
ing with her delicate pink and green
tints, and the equally urgent sunshine as
OF yore. There was much planning and
eontriving over the puzzling, but always
fascinating dress question. The stores
of velvet, silk, ribbon and lace, could
not be found now in the deep chest or
large bureau drawer, for they had been
fast dwindling, in the four years when
shopping was not delight. But the
quaint, stiff, pasteboard boxes of another
generation were taken down from the
high shelf, with much care lest corner,
| already having been mended, should
show cause for more attention-the
grandmother box where she kept some
of her treasures, bought before the war,
that she remembered.
The boxes were searched for the
wherewithal to make bright and jaunty
the proposed gown or hat. The gener-
Gus folds and facings of fine velvet and
the eapes of the same rich material,
turned their silken backs upon the gay,
Haunting, ne-dollar-a.yard piece, that
wisely decided to face the hesitating
shopper. Likewise the soft, firm thibets,
with rich colors, and the dainty linen,
lawn and organdie dresses could not be
blamed If they were perfectly aware of
their Importance. They surely needed
naught for trimming save bit of velvet
or fine, dainty lace.
II simply called together what had
and did the best could with the things"
said Mrs. s. as she sat in her pretty
morning room in New England city.
The room looked directly into beauti-
full garden, and the creator of the taste
full bonnet was truly fair to look upon.
The brisk, CHEEKY fashion of her speech,
perhaps, helped to fix the pretty thing
itself with the clearness usually found
with things higher and not as perishable.
One could not help thinking of the
harmonious gown that it would ac-
company, and of the certain fine air
both would wait to receive from the lady
who honored them in the appropriation,
and for the entire spring that charming
bonnet would be ''in society,"" All, but
the pleasant remembrance of the pretty
combination of light straw and soft
toned silk with CLEAN of color, would
be rudely dispelled if the bonnet were
now present, for unlike that other work
of art picture, time does not improve it.
One trembles indeed many times for fear
of disenchantment, and all because of the
sternsfaced fashion, who bids you look
with complete delight upon the old time
gown, the older the livelier, but hurries
you on past the quaint hat of little
time ago. 1t is very true though, that a
gown of other days has to be rarely ugly
not to excite great attention, even
pleasure, while bonnet must be queenly
in elegance, yes, and have a well au-
thenticated history of its own, if it
would secure even passing glance.
Into the old time "band box the bonnet
must go, and there on the top shelf it
may safely be left if only we do not lose
the sentiment, which rings out clearly
even now amid the alarms of still another
possible war, 81 simply called together
what had and did the best could with
the things"
In our simple. grand New England
life with its rich heritage there should
be, it would seem, small danger of this
thrift sentiment being shelved. Quite
frequently the things called together are
meagre and sadly dull. Then comes
the grand opportunity for the artist to
rise to great ACHIEVEMENTS, putting her
soul to the work, as she would tell you.
The being able TO call together denotes
treasure, though it may be wealth of
various degrees, but there is such
wholesome sound to it as though one
had but to call and forthwith something
needed appeared.
In the early days of our New England
life all had rather scanty measure, as
to dainty furnishings for the willing
worker, and in every age there are many
who have much trouble in calling to-
gether various things needful, This
carries us step farther, but be sure
we are still on New England ground
where we find economy, she having
come, without dispute, in the very first
ship. Economy has only hard, stern
face for those who stand aloof, for with
her friendly aid much harm shall be
averted and the good gifts which she
dispenses, kings and their subjects in
every age and all chimes, have greatly
desired. Doing the best with the things
at hand, sent Reliance to her task with
light in her eyes and song in her
heart as she diligently wove beautiful
patterns in the clear blue and snowy
white counterpanes. The very sight of
the puzzling figures fill us with wonder
over the patience of the skillful Puritan
maiden. But it is very sweet doctrine
in this day Also and where is our New
England thrift more plainly visible, than
in the manifold devices for identifying
and sweetening life. Many woman
without thought of being an artist, or
q ual,ahle helner is after all real trne