The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-05-24
He should have known better tina,

10 nave asked IOr II!
1.-The idea of our money going for
pale blue cashmere gown!"
So the comments went around. till
everybody had had her say; some OF
them had had two or three says" ana
they were seemingly gasping for breath
to say something even more severe.
when bombshell fell in their midst:
why shouldn't she have a pale blue
cashmere gown? She is probably a
young woman. and maybe has not
single pretty thing, oh. gracious!" and
the speaker grew so energetic that she
arose and stood facing them. her face
rosy with excitement Il have helped
with box after box in this society, and
never have I seen a really pretty thing
go into one of them! They are so dead
ly practical. How II will wear, how 1t
will wash, whether II 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
tie-''let US give it to her. Cashmere is
, cheap. and just imagine her pleasure;
and do you know. 1 think pretty gown
would have a 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 a mother hub
bard. If you are so bent on It," some
one said. doubtfully. Made up plainly
1t would not cost much"
But 1t mustn't be a mother hubbard.
| wouldn't doom even a woman living
among the Indians to that! II We send
it at all. let it be pretty. Let us put our
hearts into 1t and make It a beautiful
surprise for her. She will probably ex-
pect something ugly. If she expects 1t al
ALL"
81 don't know why we should discrim-
mate this way In favor Of Mrs. Johr
Lawrence. We have never done 1t be.
fore" A severe voice threw a dampel
on the proceedings.
Mrs. John Lawrence" echoed an
other; pray let me see that letter. Mrs
John Lawrence was an honor student II
my class at college in 1890. and believe
am safe in saying that there is no on,
here who could surpass her in either in
tellect or beauty. remember now tina
she married a missionary enthusiast ant
went out to those wilds cheerfully.
The speaker crossed the room rapid.
and approached the advocate of the blu
, gown
II will gladly help you with the gown
. and we will make 1t beautiful as
, dream"
/ How quickly the idea became infec
r tious. Everybody offered to do some
thing or to give something. 1t was al
/ most as delightful as dressing a DOLL
: st. Mary's auxiliary had turned ou
4 many a box. but never had anythin
aroused such interest as this new bit c
work. 1t became a fad; with its silke
9 Innings, its dainty frills Of lace. its flag
I oting" and exquisite accessories, tn
: beautiful empire gown lay complet'
: The auxiliary women who were packin
the box stopped frequently to admir-
8 and almost caress II.
i Hdlt W see IL ~, sAlu bHe ScSis
y tary.
1T has done as more good than AM
3 thing we ever did. What a lovely ide
q 1t wasi" the treasurer said. 81 don't b
d grudge the money at all"
I Let me fasten this in" Some one beI
). over the gown and tackled in litt
! sachet Of violet.
"And l must slip this handkerchi'
9 into its BOSOM" another deftly tucke
an embroidered kerchief into its fold
T have written this note to my de;
= old friend. and have told her what
pleasure this has been:" and the not
too, was pinned to the blue gown Ar
SO. with little final adjustment, and pa
of admiration, the blue gown. soft ar
rustling and enveloped in white tissl
paper. was put into its individual bo
and shipped away, with more practic
things, to the land Of the Indians al
the plains