Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-03-27
PlIsciIIa's Easter Bonnet
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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49,. S>NsSS>S'SNSSrScSe~>
~ Miss Priscilla Peck was remodeling her
best bonnet, and it was serious under
taking to Miss Priscilla.
The light from the kerosene lamp fell
on forlorn array of bits of silk, ribbon
and faded artificial flowers on the little
round table at her elbow, and limp, di-
lapidated frame lay on the floor at her
feet.
She had been curling her plumes with
the blade of the penknife, and her white
apron was covered with the fibers that
had broken off in the operation.
She held the two rusty little tips up
10 the light and looked at them critically,
ana they did look funny, even to Miss
Priscilla. The tibers that she had man
aged to curl were twisted down into lit.
tie hard, frizzy knobs, and those that
were still uncurled hung down in limp,
detected little strings, and Miss Priscilla
laughed little dolefully as she said to
herself
Well, there amt but precious little
left OF them, and that's fact and l
don't know as I've improved 'em much,
either, but they've just got to 60 back on
that bunnit, If they hain't bigger'n hens
feathers" then she laid them carefully
aside and picked up piece Of the drab
silk.
s'pose ought to have washed it in
gasoline, :" she said little ruefully, 'but
really didn't feel as If could afford 1t.
And don't believe can ever get 1t
puckered up and put back on the frame
SOS 1t won't show the faded streaks. l
don't s'pose l ought to have Ripped 1t
up, but I've wore it for six years and 1
just felt as il couldn't wear 1t to.mor.
row without something was done to it.
Everybody always comes out on Easter
with their pretty new hats and bunnits-
and mine was Jest as pretty as any of
EN- when 1t was new, but last Easter 1t
looked SO kind of faded and shabby be-
side all the new ones that somehow l
felt as If was slightin' the day that ev-
erybody ought to celebrate by lookin' and
feelin' as bright and joyful as they can.
I've tried to keep my heart in harmony
with Easter, but folks can't see my heart
and they can my bunnit," and then Miss
Priscilla laughed again and went patiently
to work shirring and shaping and fitting
the silk over the limp, old-fashioned
frame.
Miss Priscilla was sociable little
body, and always talked to herself when
she had no one else to talk to.
She had no family of her own and was
born nurse, and SO everyone in the vii.
mage teltsperfectly sfree to call on her in
case OF sickness. She had comforted and
cared for the aged whose feet were going
down into the valley Of the shadow. and
had ministered to the middle-aged and
the young, and everyone in the village
loved Miss Priscilla and felt TINT thev
owed her debt of gratitude,
But love and gratitude, precious as
they are to lonely heart, are poor com
modities wherewith to pay tho butcher,
the baker and the candlestick maker. to
say nothing of the extravaganza of buy
Ing Easter bonnets, and as Miss Pris-
ella was no hand to parade her poverty
before her friends and neighbors she dyed
and turned and made over, and witbal
managed to keep SO bright and CHEEKY
that no one really suspected how poor
she was.
She worked on patiently for while.
too much absorbed to even talk to her
self, but somehow the result was NOT
very satisfactory. Long years of nursing
the sick, however, much as 1t may soften
the heart and refine the sensibilities. ia
not conducive to proficiency in fashion
Ing artistic millinery, and Miss Priscilla
began to feel somewhat discouraged.
She fashioned the stiff ribbon into
bow and tackled it on one side of the
bonnet; fastened the two sickly little
plumes and the bunch of faded roses on
top; pinned on the strings and, stepping
over to the little mirror that was perched
on top Of the old-fashioned bureau, set
tied the result of her handiwork on her
wavy brown hair.
But what was the matter? Miss Pris-
ella looked at the reflection in conster-
nation. She saw pair Of tranquil brown
eyes and a round, rosy face that remind-
Cd ONE OF a winter apple. but the bonnet
the frame was all twisted out Of shape
and the silk was askew, and the bow.
plumes and the roses all seemed to stand
up and glare at each other in the most
belligerent attitude. She gave one look
and snatched 1t off her head and dung It
on the table.
There now" she said. II hope I'll be
satisfied. I've ruined the only thing
had to my name to wear on my head. and
now can just stay at home from church
Tomorrow. and it's Easter Sunday. too.
and all on account Of my foolish pride,
Oh, why couldn't l have been satisfied to
let well enough alone?' And then Miss
Priscilla did a strange thing for her
she dropped her head down on the little