The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-05-21
"He should have known better than


pale blue cashmere gown!"
So the comments went around, till
everybody had had her say; some of
them had had two or three says" and
they were seemingly gasping for breath
to say something even more severe,
when bombshel fell in their midst:
"Why shouldn't she have pale blue
cashmere gown? She is probably a
young woman, and maybe has not a
single pretty thing! Oh, gracious" and
the speaker grew so energetic that she
arose and stood facing them, her face
rosy with excitement. 81 have helped
with box after box in this society, and
never have seen really pretty thing
60 into one of them! They are so dead
ly practical. How it will wear, how 1t
will wash, whether it will show dirt
sympathize with this woman away out
there among those Indians, dependent
on us hard-hearted things for the little
she wants. God knows" she added, even
more earnestly. where they get the
grace to sustain them in their work! AS
for this gown"-her voice trembled lit
tle-"let us give it to her Cashmere is
cheap, and just imagine her pleasure;
and do you know. think pretty gown
would have cheerful effect on both
herself and her husband. Perhaps il
might even convert few more Indians!"
She sat down. little embarrassed by
the feeling she had shown.
I'VE might make her mother hub
bard. if you are so bent on it," some
one said, doubtfully. MADE up plainly
it would not cost much"
But it mustn't pe a mother hubbard.
| wouldn't doom even a woman living
among the Indians to that! If we send
it at all, let it be pretty. Let us put our
hearts into it and make it beautiful
surprise for her. She will probably eX-
ALL"
81 don't know why we should discrim-
mate this way in favor Of Mrs. John
Lawrence. We have never done it be-
fore" A severe voice threw damper
on the. proceedings
Mrs. John Lawrence" echoed an
other; pray let me see that letter. Mrs.
John Lawrence was an honor student in
my class at college in 1890, and believe
l am safe in saying that there is no one
here who could surpass her in either in
tellect or beauty. 14emember now that
she married a missionary enthusiast and
went out to those wilds cheerfully."
The speaker crossed the room rapidly
and approached the advocate of the blue
gown.
81 will gladly help you with the gown,
and we will make it beautiful as a
dream"
How quickly the idea became infec-
thing or to give something. 1t was al
most as delightful as dressing a doll!
st. Mary's auxiliary had turned out
many box. but never had anything
aroused such interest as this new bit of
work. 1t became a fad; with its silllen
Innings, its dainty frills of lace. its flag
oting'' and exquisite accessories. the
beautiful empire gown lay complete.
The auxiliary women who were packing
the box stopped frequently to admire
and almost caress it.
81 hate to see it co." said the secre-
tary
at has done us more good than any
thing we ever did What lovely idea
it vast" the treasurer said. II don't be-
grudge the money at ali"
Let me fasten this in" Some one bent
over the gown and tackled in little
sachet of violet
"And l must slip this handkerchief
into it's BOSOM" another deity tucked
an embroidered Eerchief into its folds
81 have written this note to my dear
old friend. and have told her what a
pleasure this has BEEN" and the note
too, was pinned to the blue gown. And
so, with little final adjustment, and pats
of admiration. the blue gown. soft and
rusting and enveloped in white tissue
paper, was put into it's individual box
and shipped away. with more practical
things, to the land of the Indians anG
the plains.
Mrs. Lawrence came home somewhat
discouraged from her sewing school one
afternoon to find her house in great dis
order. Everything was covered will
clothes, it seemed. The box had come
and her husband had lost no time il