The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-05-19
~W5+9W

Incoming it was, and how much he had
admired her in it,,
"Alice, is there anything you want:
We are to mention everything we need,
and they will supply as far as pos
sible."
Yes" she called, little sarcastl-
| cally. "please tell them I need very
much pale blue cashmere gown"
and then she smiled at the absurdity
| of such request from missionary's
| wife. Imagine the CONSERVATION that
| would create,'' she thought, If ne
really would ask for such thing!'
She replaced the miniature with
sigh. Was it a crime to love pretty
things? And would she ever have any
again? Her trousseau was long ago
| exhausted, and now she lived and
moved and had her being in black
things and brown things, and all things
that wouldn't show dirt. Oh, dear!
| but-blessed afterthought!-wou
she rather be the wife Of John Law
renee in black brilliantines and brown
serges, than anybody else in the world!
The president of st. Mary's Auxiliary
was rapping loudly for order. She was
reading letter saying that the Rev
erend John Lawrence would be deeply
grateful for a suit, an Overcoat, ct
cetera. It was when she came to the
overcoat that the confusion arose; for
one lady had q practically new over
coat which her present coachman'
| being stout, could not wear. 1t was eA-
actly the Reverend Mr.. Lawrence's
size. but being surtout she questioned
whether it would be the correct thing
for clerical wear. The entire auxiliary
set Itself to argue this point, when the
president stopped them.
Ladies, we can discuss this matter
later. Let me finish reading this let
ter. Where was I? Sheets, pillow
cases. table linen. and'-what is this:
"a pale blue cashmere gown'!'
A pale blue cashmere gown! Had
she asked for an automobile coat the
| request could not have produced more
surprise. There was deep silence.
Even the president found nothing to
say for some time.
"a little unusual she finally said.
"Well, never had pale blue cash
mere gown in my Efe,' gasped some
one.
"Palc blue!> So perishable::' another
said feebly.
"And cashmere! So out Of style!'
| a third added.
"She must be some poor little cour-
try SOUL" the secretary said.
well. whoever she is she ought to be
reprimanded. The ;dea of such world
illness in a missionary's wife,
He should have known better than
to have asked for it!''
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 two or three "says,' and
they were seemingly gasping for breath
to say something even more severe,
when a bombshell fell in their midst.
! why shouldn't she have pale blue
cashmere gown? She is probably
young woman, and maybe has not
single pretty thing! Oh, gracicus!'
and the speaker grew SO energetic that
she arose and stood facing them. her
face rosy with excitement. Il lave
helped with box after box in this So
| ciety, and never have I seen q really
pretty thing so into them. They are
so deadly practical. How it will wear,
how it will wash. whether it will show
dirt-I sympathiZe with this young
woman away out there among those
Indians, dependent OH us hard-hearted
things for the little she wants. God
knows she added, even more ear
nestly, where they get the grace to
sustain them in their work. AS for
this gown''-her voice trembled a lit
tle-''let US give it to her. Cashmere
is cheap, and just imagine her pleas
ure; and do you know. think pref
ty gown would have cheerful effect
on both herself and her husband. Per-
haps it might even convert few more
Indians" She sat down, little en-