The Republican journal., 1900-06-21
MRS. PoMFREr. MAKER OF GEN1UsEs

Melton I. Hatch was almost prodigy.
Indeed, to one ordinarily versed in the
distinctive marks of embryo genius, he
might have seemed prodigy pure and
simple. Two circumstances, however,
kept him out of the infant phenomenon
class; he was as vet a prophet in his own
country. and Mrs. Fomfret refused to
give him his standing. 1t was not
known among the Apville people just
why Melton t. was outside the pale of
genius. but all understood there was
some good reason. 50 it seemed openly
schismatic of Mrs. Hanslom-the new
tallor'S Wlfe-tO declare that the boy
scds genius positively. And when Mrs
po,nfret was quoted by the opposition
Mrs. Hanslom had laughingly added
that comets We're always more or less
announcement to celestial bodies of fixed
habits, and that certain person could
not hope to order the universe forever
and to keep always intact her neat little
This remark, made at the sewing circle
travelled straight to the lonely ears of
Mrs Pomfret. as she watered her gladi-
OLAF and mienonette in the early morn
ing. pending the arrival of the milkman
with the news.
1t was a new experience for Mrs
Pomfret t. be lonesome She had never
been SO fomery.-never until the new
tailor had brought to- town his objection
able wife with her neW-fangled ways.
Mrs. llanslom lad appeared. the first
day, IN White ichrl so pretty that Mrs.
Pomtret had never forgiven her. All
the Apvllle ladies' young and old, had
immediately copied it. and so mmedi-
ately that at the church supper Mrs.
Pomfret Lad remarked with glowering
amazemtnt that she erSelt was the
only one without that fair white neck
Wear lhlS occurrence was a new eX-
per1ence to one who had for Years set
the styles III dress and bonnets, and
whose attic atteSted the CONSCIENTIOUS
ness with which she had fitted herself
TO be a leader of fashion. Volume after
volume of the Ladies Delight. a BIZ
monthly criterion of fashion. had been
periodically rolled away under the caves
of the old house. and many a perpleXing
hour for the welfare of Apville did their
pages represent. Now, it appeared. their
prestige was OVERCOME at breath be-
fore the geWgaWs of a tailor up-start's
wife: and with their tleeting authority
Mrs. Pomfret seemed to see the fading
away of her own dominion. 1t happen
ed unfortunately for Melton, that his
reputation was begun Just after the
tichu affair, y concert-singer dropping
into Apville Oh a meandering vacation
tour through the country, had heard the
boy play. had sung to his accompani-
ment, pronounced him genius and de
parted. The following morning Mrs
Pomfret's milkman had shouted genial
ly TO her over the garden fence. 1--WE
got a progidy' IN Apviller'-and, by
that remark, had unwittingly doomed
Melton to an indefinite period of OBJ
security. Mrs. Pomtret's lips had closed
omlnouslN. Fashions might rise and set
III al ephemeral round. but the stamp
OF genius should not be Inadvertently
bestowed. Accordingly, from that hour,
Melton ; stand was a precarious one.
Mrs. POmtret had held her stand with
;nlstrre success If there ever were
moments WHEN she felt inclined to lln-
bend "a little. something would occur
ike Ms. Iianslonl's remark about the
comet and liked stars--to make her de
ternine TO maintain her position. even
though II did become little cramped
50. II the afternoon of her AT lome.'
When two of her cillliug-iist had punct-
uaily pleaded their way up the long
drive leading to the house she listened
in sphilN-ilke silence to their rllapsodies
over the new -\pviile STAR and. ali
finished. She inquired diSpassionately
What piano he had PLAYED on
ne Opera House Instrument" eX-
planned both visitors eagerly
i thought So, said Mrs. Pomfret
Stonliv. Then after a moment, ''TIe
hasn't PLAYED on my husbands piano
yet, HAS he-that You know" with a
touch OF finest IRONY.
Both callers east an awed look at the
black, square piano launched up in the
darkest ronlel OF the dim little parlor
An aMrd look. because that piano had
history. That is, il probably had one
for As ii Was never referred to except
AS my husbdud'S piauo." SO it was the
sole known cause which ever called up
mention Of d quolldam Mr.. Pomfret
1t was rot open to the public except for
nationai jubiltt> OF Orthodox sociables !
yet its beautiful tone was of county
fame. and tie loan Of ii meant success
t" any musical Junction. When Mrs
Ponltret put her irolica! question. the
Nv" ladies tacltly admitted the. peril
nence Of the implied argument 10y chang
ln@ the subject To a discussion Of the
toWH cldln-niakt 10 take place OH the
following afternoon. Incidentally Mrs. /
HallSloln WAS mentioned as likely to in +,
troaiiee feature OF the day 10y new
style of dress. They had heard that she
was 70 wear an outing skirt, as she |
named it,
Mrs. Ilanslom is so modish," ex-
claimed one OF the ladies, lIngenerous-
iy. If you watch her You are sure to
get the latest first
Did you know they We're wearing
shorter skirts now" asked the other /
caller.
Mrs. Pomfret straightened stifflv. at !
depends on who you mean Ivy they. I |
don't.
The remainder Of the call was little
awkward. The hostess seemed preoc- |
cupied and somewhat aistere. Nerv /
soon the two friends got up APOLOGIZE !
caliy and took their leave. After Mrs. /
Polnfret had courteously conducted |
them to the front door and closed it be
hind them, she went back slowly to the
little parlor and sat down to think. 1t
was a bitter moment for her. She had
not known that they We're wearing
short skirts. and now the morrow would /
witness another triumph of the enemy,
and snort skirts would become the
fashion IN Apville without her sanction
1t must not be. Obviously. she must
herself wear an outing skirt tomorrow