Year: 1867

80


Fanny Downing thus explains the mys-


terious process by whicha young lady pre-


pares for bed:


Dismissing Mandy, her foster sister and


maid, Miss Preston performed the task of
disrobing for the night, without other assis-
Z, taDce than that of her own nimble fingers.
First the little lace collar and ribbon were


removed from neck, and the bright merino


dress laid aside next the snowy skirts were
! lifted over the head, then spring touched
| in front of the rounded waist when with a
| clicking and metallic sound, down came the
wide expanse of crinOline, while Miss Char


ley stepped out of its steel circle, considera-
| bly, collapsed, but all the prettier. some
| what similar mechanical operation was re-
peated and numerous springs and curls were
set in lively motion, and then with stretch


upward of the plump white arms, and a long
drawn sigh of relief, off came the little


French railroad" corsets, and the dimpled
shoulders of the wearer rose in unrestricted
freedom.


The snowy night gown was now slipped
over the head, and its delicate frills daintily
adjusted to the throat and wrist. Next the
mirror was visited, and the charming little
nsOues made at the bright face it reflected,
and seizing the brush, the girl proceeded to
apply it to her glossy curls until they shone
like satin.


Thence to the wash stand, where teeth,
white as cocoanut meat, were rubbed until
they cleaned still winter, and the rosy face
dipped in the gilded basin of pure, cold wa
ter until it glowcd with renewed crimson.
And then drawing low seat close to the fire,
the young girl laid one pretty foot lightly on
her knee and began to unlace the tiny boot
which encased it; in few moments both little
feet were bare in their childish beauty, and
pressed down on the hot bricks of the hearth,
while a careful measurement was made as to
the relative lengths of the big toe and the
one next to it, for in this Important difference
depends the momentous question as to which
of two shall rule in the future married life
of the measurer: it having been decreed by
mysterious and immutable signs, that should
the greater toe to be the longer, the forthcOm-
ing lord of the lady will be her master as
well, while if the second has pre-emince, a
similar fate is in store for herself, and her
only master will be her own sweet will.


In the present instance, both of the soft,
pink tees were of such sameness of length,
that the inference was sufficiently clear that
destiny decreed the married life of Miss
Charley Preston should be state of equal
rights.


The young lady sat still and amused her
self by doing little prospecting in the way
of gazing down into the Goals glowing before
her, and than taking her bible from its stand,
she read the lessons appointed for the eve
ming, then knelt and said her simple prayers.
A puff of fragrant breath from pair of rosy
lips and out went the candle, leaving the
room lighted only by the rich fire light.
Then unbolted the door that Mandy, who
slept in her young mistress's room, nigh gain
access, when it should please her to leave the
delights of the kitchen, the young girl turn
ed back the soft blankets and snowy sheets
of her bed, made the impress of her round
ed figure in its downy depth, laid her inno-
cent head upon the tastefully trimmed pill
L A. L L. l.