The Republican., 1898-06-09
Three Leaves in the Wind
r DECLARE our old machine is the
By E. NJ. DE JARNETTE.
sweetest in the world, said Dor

81 VI leu bCSSg lnO
"The dear old thing only knows how
TO hem and sew a straight seam," con
tinued Dora, always about to give
its last gasp, yet here we are, three
girls, all properly stitched and trimmed;
bcgathered and tucked for our lovely
trip to Richmond as soon as the mater
comes back from her jaunt."
II love it, love it," sang Bess, 'the
old armchair! Though it has absolute
ly no attachments of its own-and
that's pun, although you two geese
can't see one if it's fired out of a
cannon"
One of the geese, the Engaged One,
said: "You can't fire a pun out of a
cannon"
Our old machine is as crazy as a
June-bug," continued Bess; "notched
up with length measures; patterns
marked on the leaf with scissors, and
scratched over with family memoranda.
There's the birthday of Julia's baby.
and Sue-Sue-here's the 18th of No
vember! Somebody's wedding day, l
declare"
The Engaged One blushed guiltily;
at isn't this November; l meant next
November" she said, ''and-and he
marked that there himself"
won't we have fun hunting fnery
in Richmond? | wish the mater would
come along. My money is burning a
hoe in my pocket. Fifteen dollars of
my own! I'm going to buy "a"
"Comp'ny comin'!'
This announcement was fired in by
little black thing with kinky topknots
ali over her head, wrapped with knit
ting cotton. Il see 'em gallinuppin'-
des kickin' up dus'. y within an
black'n!"
In effect, a white horse and black
one were dashing and prancing along
the avenue, drawing a mongrel sort Of
wagon filled with objects draped in rub
Der cloth. The driver was nice blue
eyed young man with white teeth and
curly hair.
Dora's lip curled with a nice scorn.
Agent" she muttered and scampered
back upstairs.
The voice of Bess in return to his
graceful salutItion was cold as the
icebergs famed by the wings of Boreas.
"Thanks; we will not trouble YOU.
We already have one; the best in the
word" She said.
"Troupie?' echoed Blue Eyes. at
is the only pleasure in life l have. l
don't expect to sell one-I never do.
Am only paid to show them. Do allow
mel"
Il have not time to look" said Bess.
positively.
81 don't want to see Don't bring
that thing in this porch" she command
ed, angrily.
Blue Eyes had unscrewed one and
lifted it half way up the steps.
Excuse me, lady; l don't hear very
well. Did you say in the porch, or shall
4 carry it into the hall?"
He had the cover stripped off, and
open in a jitfy, and long strip of red
silk under the needle accordion-plaiting
it on to a blue quilted velvet back
ground, binding it with a ruffled ruche
that stood out in crimped scallops, the
whole thing tucked, futed, embroid-
cred, hemmed in three different vare-
ties, and lace sewed on at the same
time.
"Tip-py-tip-py-tip-py!" went the
needle, swift as CREASED lightning and
soft as lovers sigh. Blue Eyes even
sang song:
All that l heard
Was this little word:
I-love-you"
lie was now shirring pink satin col
larette, with scallops bound in mashed
strawberry gauze, felled and braided
with old gold, plated on to a red null
shirring, gathered between two bands,
edge-stitched with piping on French
folds, in Mexican points and Washing
ton squares, Sewing uneven surfaces
just as well as plain"
"Tip-py, tip-py-tip-py-tip-py-tip-
py!"
'You are taking a great deal of un-
necessary trouble" This from Bess in
tones like melted ice cream, as she held
the sample in her hand.
at is my JOY and my duty" replied
Blue Eyes. "Will you kindly select the
combinations for the next sample of
work?"
"Ah-cream and violet. What taste
you have! This now will turn out
dainty confection indeed. Will you
suggest, please? Knife plating? All,
yes"
"Tip-py-tip-py-tip-py-tip-py!"
"Try the next on blue and amber for
me-" suggested Dora, over Bessie's
shoulder.
"rll take my sample in pure white"
whispered the Engaged One over Dora's
shoulder.
"Tip-py-tip-py-tip-py!" went the
needle, pricking its way into the fem
inine hearts.
"Dora!" said Bess.
"Bessie!" murmured the Engaged
One.
"Did you ever in your born days?"
"Did you speak, ladies ?-unfortu-
nately, my hearing is imperfect" said
The Agent
"SiXty-five dollars!--is it not an ex-
orbitant price," screamed Bessie.
Gas you say, lady-'not an eXorbitant