The age-herald., 1898-02-13
Copyright. 1898. l

IL IS Qulle the newest IdSnlOn to pe truthful. In days gone by, if you or or our dearest friend or our bitterest en- emy wore a shabby gown, didn't go to the opera, gave up the carriage or was not seen on an ocean steamer that year, the explanation-a very weak one always was that i've didn't care to-" As if any woman would prefer wearing shabby frocks, as if any woman, wheth- CT she liked music or not, would prefer to give up the opera, or as if any wom- an--or any man, for that matter-pre- ferred to give up the good things of life!- But we used to be such fools about it. Weak as the explanation was. we pretended to believe that other peo~ pie believed us. Everybody knew that we were liars, and pretty poor ones. Nowadays we tell the truth and shame that worldly gentleman in black, and people call us noble. Madam Aristo- crat, who Is as stingy as ever she can be, goes visiting in a frock made in the days of the Medes and Persians, clasps her hands in a tragic way and says. T know I am sight, but I really cannot
 
 to be poor, though there are a great many people who are in fashion who would rather have more ducats and be less stylish. Still this truth telling fe- yer is not as bad as it might be, for it does give a reason, and sensible one, for a great many things. It makes it possible for mere ordinary everyday people to do as they should and keep out of debt and to be perfectly frank as to why they are not foolishly extrava- gant
 It is always the poor who are extrav- agant. The rich woman utilizes every scrap of material, has every gown made over and keeps rich because she is eco- nomical The poor woman is so desper- ately afraid of being thought poor that she goes into debt, does not give the proper wear to her belongings and car ' ries a burden on her shoulders that makes her old and ugly before her time J once had the pleasure of going into the wardrobe room of a very wealthy woman and that wardrobe room was an object lesson to me. It was large, light room on the top floor of the house, with wardrobes built around it on all sides, drawers being under these ward robes and with high shelves built above them to hold bonnet boxes. Here all gowns were kept. Those that were to be worn were ready for assumption. Those that had been worn came up to be brushed looked over and carefully put away Here all day long sat two maids sewing, brushing and making over, while the greatest care was given to each portion of frock when it was put away. Sleeves were stuffed with tissue paper to keep them in shape. Bits of colored tissue paper went over white lace to prevent it's becoming yell low Parasols were softly wrapped in thin white wool stuff. Boots, shoes and slippers were all on their trees and standing in the drawers. Every hat box had written upon it in big letters a terse description of the hat in it, so that one did not lose one's temper by going through innumerable boxes searching for one particular chapeau. Most remarkable of all were the boxes filled with gowns that had been ripped apart. When dress had done it's duty in life, the thrifty maid took it, ripped it carefully apart, made it immaculate ly clean and then sized. it's possibili- ties. The silk lining was folded, and on the paper wrapping it was written, Here is enough purple silk to make a petticoat." The brocade ..that formed : the dress was also carefully done up, its measurement described, and there was suggested in writing, This will make a handsome sofa pillow" or This may be developed into party bags or chair covers.'s The finely cut steel but tons were wrapped separately and box ed. The laces were cleaned and care fully pasted on sheets of colored paper and laid in large fiat boxes. Absolute 1y nothing was wasted. The conse- quence is when new dress is to be made, after some thought has been giv- en to it's general style, the maid will remind the modiste of the exquisite lace flounce already possessed, of the finely cut rhinestone buckle that was on the pink satin or of the set of steel but tons that appeared on another gown, and any one of these is ready to go for ward and do duty again. Feathers from bonnets are in special boxes. Flowers are carefully strengthened out and thought given to their possible use. Nothing is counted worthless unless it is so, and the consequence is that this woman can afford to be generous. She does not give away old finery, but when she wants to help she can afford to put her hand in her purse and offer money to whoever needs it.
 Apropos of giving, I laughed in. a half hearted way the other night My hairdresser, who Is a widow with four small children to support and an aged !. mother to care for, was lugging an enormous brown paper box as she en- tered the. Bab mansion. She spoke of her arm being tired, but said one of her customers had given her this box early in the day and told her it was full of some things that would be useful to her. Now, a good many heads have to be dressed to support a whole family; consequently everything must be val ued at itR proper consideration by this busy woman. I suppose she saw the curiosity in my eyes, but she told me that if would allow her she would open the box. as she would like to see her presents. realized as looked ex- aotiy how mean . rich woman can hs.