Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-11-09

slowly before the entranced country
man.
II CUES it's all right, after ALL" he
stated. whats the figger?"
Miss Marie reflected a moment
Twenty dollars, to you, sir"
Suffering old mani" calculated the
customer. Twenty dollars for hat?
Why, can buy horse rake for that"
"Yes?" said Miss Marie, smiling in
to his eyes. Eyes, but your wife could
not wear horse rake on fler head,
could she?"-still smiling-a long,
slow, alluring smile.
The poor man was hypnotized. He
pulled out his worn wallet, drew from
1t the money and handed it over with
out further parley. Then Miss Marie
transferred the terrible nat to the
head of his wife, and the pair de-
parted. he casting alarmed and doubt
full glances at his consort. 1t looked
so different on her head.
Miss Marie. you are just awful"
said Miss Ethel. How ':ould you sell
that poor old jay that nat? She is
enough to scare the very dogs In the
street."
"she would scare them in any
thing" philosophically replied that
young woman, "and why not in one
Of our hats?"
This reasonable explanation being
duly accepted, Miss Marie turned her
attention to two ladies. who came in
at this moment. She soon discovered
that these customers were not amen
able to cajolery. Hat after hat and
bonnet after bonnet were tried on;
nothing pleased their exalted tastes.
Miss Marie was on her mettle. She
was seldom outflanked. She flattered
and wheedled and coaxed. When on
the verge of defeat, this Machiavellian
young milliner determined upon an
audacious move. One of the shop
pers having said. with languid and
supercilious air, "And have you really
nothing more to show us?" Miss Marie
disappeared and returned presently
with large white felt hat, loaded
with feathers and ribbon.
II really ought not to show this to
you," she said, in mysterious tone;
Yt's an order from Mrs. Van Rensse-
laer Stuyvesant. We've just finished
it. We might duplicate 1t for you
for $50"
ooh, Amy" cried the other custom
err, isn't 1t exquisite? Whatever you
do, get that for the Victoria"
So Amy bought it for the victoria,
and the two departed, casting con-
descending glances at the other de-
spised and rejected hats.
Then Miss Marie went behind a
screen and executed a dance Of glee.
1--WE sold her a last seasons child's
hat. Ha, ha! Wear 1t in the victoria, In
deed! Did you remark the victoria?
A rickety old phaeton, drawn by q
sorrel horse! Well, I'm even with
that trump"
Late In the afternoon a young WON
an came in to look at hats. With her
was her husband. mild, amiable ap'
pearing man. Miss Marie greeted
them as easy prey. She placed a hat
decorated with cocks feathers upon
the wife's head. The very good look
ing young lady admired herself.
where's the comb and the feet?"
suddenly demanded the inoffensive
appearing husband.
"Oh! Edward, you don't like It,"
said mis- wife, reproachfully.
4 my dear, it's beautiful" he re-
turned, "but II you are going to have
fowl on your hat. have the whole
barnyard!"
Miss Marie glared at him in dismay
| Perhaps you would like this bet
ter" she said, with just q tinge Of
sarcasm, as she placed highly ornate
structure of claret velvet and tur
quoise null and buckles upon the
lady's head.
Edward stood of and looked at Il
with critical eyes.
That's bright, cheerful sort O.
hat" he remarked, airly; reminds
me of circus coming to town"
Miss Marie removed it with height
tened color. Then she brought stun
ming poke of gray felt. with exquisite
lace ties and dropping marabou
plumes.
Looks Just like the bonnet m!
, greataunt Hannah used to wear t.
church." announced the amiable critic
with beaming countenance, "on!!
Aunt Hannah's had a curtain hangin,
down the back, like valance rount
a four posted bedstead. Maybe 20,
could put curtain on. That would
be so nice"
Miss Marie was getting in rage
What manner of beast was this tt
come in and spoil her trade by making
: fun of the charming CONNECTIONS she
was setting forth? But she tried
again-ti1ts time a large black hat
with clusters of waving black feathers
Nov, isn't that an elegant hat?'
she asked. with her most engaging
smile. What was her ,bewildermen
when this wretched man suddenly
took out his handkerchief and pre-
tended to weep in it.
Edward" exclaimed his wife
whatever is the matter with you?"
why, my dear" he said, with {
lugubrious shuttle. at looks SO like 6
hearse that l am trying to live W
to it."
Poor Miss Marie! She had met hel
match. She snatched of the hat, ant
said, disdainfully: Perhaps, sir, yor
will give me an idea of what yor
would like?"
"My dear GIRL" said that gentle
man. "if you have any plain little
hats-just ordinary sort Of hats, 20,
know-hats you can't near more thar
mile away-hats that are not dec
GRATED with fowls of the air and beasts
of the fLeld-we will look at them"
"They are not wearing such hat.
this season." said Miss Marie, flaugh
tily, "the hats are all very much
trimmed"
Then I'm afraid we shall have tt
look elsewhere" said this degenerate
They departed, leaving Miss Marie
in white heat. And to add insul