The Washington herald., 1912-04-17
D. FRANcEs sHAFFER.

It is no art at alI-at least. mighty
liftle-to take a generously hiled pocket
book or the background Of an elastic
income, into the best millinery shop in
town and select a hat, or half dozen
II one likes. regardless Of price and quite
Indifferent to that watchfui monitor,
the practical There are so many beau
tifui products Of the nilllner's art that
Il Is only a matter OF choice and OF taste.
But dear. dear! 1t IL a real science,
art, and personal accomplishment, all in
one. to go with a nat little pociSetbook
which has weI-nigh emptied its contents
upon the counters Of grocer. butcher, and
all the other tradesmen who must come
first and still achieve the triumph Of a
hat that does not betrsy its price.
And so with gowns and the little odds
and ends Of ones wardrobe. It is easy
to array oneself in purple and fne linen
when there is no nagging, restraining
call, "Beware." to drive one back to the
commonplace. But II h an art to be able
10 make ones purple and fine linen.
And II the many seasons Of high prices
have emphasized one thing more than
another to the ordinary buyer It IL the
growing Importance Of training our nm
gers and our ideas to the fashioning OF
hats, gowns, and some Of the furoeiows
we nightly like, but must pass by be-
cause the cost Is prohibitive.
Matter of Pride.
And to the average woman, such handi-
work is rather more than matter Of
pride or leeway for more luxury-it is
necessity. IL she would enjoy some Of the
material things she longs for, and duty
as well, either to self or some one else.
For It is not fair 10 spend an income
without some measure Of preparation for
dispensing II wisely.
Perhaps some things disturb US that
we might better pass by, but II really
seems a pity for a young woman, whose
time is quite at her disposal, 20 sub
scribe TO the ''ready-made'' for every
thing she wears, for when II is eheaply
tready-made," a little wear soon brands
It with the tag of commences. and, what
q worse its life is brief
And her friend. a milliner-dressmaker
BY grace of Nature or training, takes the
same modest quota when she goes shop
ping, but she buys good materials and
foes her own dressmaking, her own milli-
herring, and there is a brand Of luxury
Ipon all her belongings.
The one slips along in life in an indif-
terent manner, spending the little she
has in the easiest way and always re-
naming on the ordinary level. And the
other makes the most OF modern oppor-
tunities. always looks well and gets away
from the ordinary level, for IL is never
ordinary to I'LL ones particular niche IN
life creditably and to the best Of ones
Possibilities. And there's the difference
- Few to Manner Born.
There are not so many dressmakers or
nilliners ito the manner born" With
the average woman it is a matter of
training; and that is why It is so fine
that our schools are beginning to train
girls for work with the needle For
something is wrong somewhere when a.
woman is unskilled in the very things
that count the most when it comes TO
making a few dollars do the work of
many.
When nature does not make It easy
to acquire the helpful art, It Is always
possible to take a course in dressna40ing
or hatmaking: and whatever wealthy
folk may do for their daughters OF may
.eave undone, it is only fair to the aver
age girl, average in ability, income, and