The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-25
THE WORKINGS OF A NEW
p ENGLAND C0SCIENCE.

fro. Rocking was helpful 20 thinking, and
just now she was perplexed.
1t was a question of conscience, New
England conscience at that moreover it
began with a capital c.
I've got 1t in the house and 1 might
as we'll make 1t up" she unused,
TT was dress, a silk dress, a relic of
days gone by
ITS been lying there all these years."
she went on "and It seems real kind of
sinful packed away there and not doing
a soul a mite Of good. 1t amt right to have
things put away where moth and rust
can corrupt"
She quoted this Bible authority with sat
isfaction.
And twill look awful handsome made
up. l guess 'twould be becoming, too"
She blushed guiltily as if the thought
were too vain for contemplation.
And it would save me buying, too" she
added hastily. My old alpaca isn't very
good. I've turned and washed 1t till it really
amt decent and 'twould cost considerable
to buy a new one. And this dress all right
In the house and costing nothing.
Il e'pose folks would think 1 was terri
1 guess if give the money I'd take for a
new black dress and give 1t to the mis-
sionary society and wear the silk instead,
nobody can find fault. but then, l amt
obliged TO tell EN- anyway.
They don't know how much I give TO
church purposes, and they couldn't say
nothing even IL 1 bought the silk outright,
But then, amt doing that.
It's really saying. And it's awful hand
some, too" she added in an undertone,
Miss Hannah surveyed herself in the
small mirror. She readjusted the light and
then moved it from one side to the other
that she might see the image reflected
more clearly. 1t was a very neat little fig
ure that she saw. somewhat wrinkled
face, yet with a touch of youth, and a
pleased light in the steel blue eyes
The golden brown silk shimmered and
shone and reflected the rays of light. II
shall look better than any one there" she
said half aloud.
LAS well as any one" she corrected.
And / sha'n't tell any one that it's an
old silk made over That amt necessary.
You needn't tell all you know. Aunt Jane
used to say, and I'm sure she was a very
good woman"
She smiled happily as she gave one part
ing glance and turned away.
There was a perceptibie stir when Miss
sister-in-law, entered the parsonage.
Hannah Davis s got d new dress,
some one whispered loudly as she passed
through a little knot of women ON the way
10 the bedroom to lay aside her wraps
And it's silk one too"
The eyes of the entire assembly were on
her as she emerged from the little room
and sank down into the nearest empty
chair without making the usual round of
handshaking.
"She feels stuck up" one woman whls-
pered to her neighbor. "Well, l guess a silk
dress don't make her better'n the rest of
US" The speaker reared her head and
spoke across the intervening sewers to Miss
Hannah.
I'VE were just talking about a sub
scription, Miss Hannah" she said In very
audible tones. TITS for the Leavitts. You
know them They've had awful luck late
ly. and there's a lot due on the mortgage
and we thought If we could just give
them little lift 1t would be real Christian
like"
Il think 'twould be real nice" Miss
Hannah asseuted warmly. "Ill be glad
to give something. though I can't give
much you know
She blushed as she spoke. All eyes
were on her IN the most uncomfortable
way. Why did they kind of smile?
They must know she didn't have much
money.
Could she afford to give 80 cents, she
wondered.
well, how much Will you give?"
The voice came with startling distinct
ness.
Five dollars say?"
Miss Hannah started visibly. What
were they thinking of? Her hands fell
into her lap. They touched the smooth
silk. 1t must be the dress
TITS an old" she started to say, but
the words died on her lips.
What did you say?" Her tormentor
leaned forward
The minister's wife was standing In
the door, smiling.
Miss Hannah shut her lips tight.
Yes, you can put me down for five"
she said, in a metallic voice
A thrill seemed to pass through the
room Then some newcomers entered,
and eager attention was turned TO them.
1T hope you realize that you are prop
erly punished for your sinful pride, Han
nah Davis" she said, as she locked the
door of her little room that night, and
hastily took off the offending dress.
ut was vanity all the time that made
you do It, and you knew it, but tried to
salve your conscience with saying 1t
was economy"
She spoke rapidly.
IF you was so terribly anxious about
being economical" scornfully, why didn't
you make over that magenta delaine?
'Twouldn't have been half as becoming,
but 'twould have been just as economical.
But you didn't think of that, did your"
A pause.
And then you tried to hush your con-
science by saying you'd give the money
new dress would cost to the missionary
society.
"And now-now you've gone and given
So to that woman for her subscription,
and you couldn't afford 1t and you knew
you couldn't afford IL, and it's a sin to
spend money you cane afford"
She stared hard at the dress.
"And then you was scared into II be-
cause you was proud, and pride is an
other sin. You didn't want them to
think but what you could buy the dress
and give away money, too. That makes
three sins"
She closed her lips tight, then resolutely
crossed the room and wrapped a clean
piece OF cotton about the neatly folded
dress.
Then she went to the little davenport