Year: 1876

A young lady came into a hotel par
lor at Saratoga with her twenty-elghth
dress. She has been at the Springs
fourteen days, and has displayed a
fresh toilet every morning and evening:
These dresses cost on an average SlZo
apiece, or about So, 500 for the lot.


During this time her father has worn
one cheap flannel suit, costing perhaps
$35. :.


And this young lady, whose father is
not considered wealthy, is supposed to
be in the market. She is looking Tor
and expects to marry some man OF sound
brain and good looks. She is good
young lady, but not brilliant, and she
is far from beautiful; but she is so well
bred that she does not paint or powder.
She is the average New York girl, who
goes in mediocre society, but who con.
stantly struggles to get into the best
set. But the set here, who base their
positions on family and wealth, will not
receive her. She is respectable, but
her responsibility is not Of long stand
ing enough to admit her. So the poor
girl, with all her dresses, is really on
probation. She wanders around, cut.
ting half tho people in her own set, and
struggling to get into the set above
her father and mother both pushing
her forward.


When they ask who her father is, the
reply comes :.


"Oh, he's merchant somewhere in
New York"


"Who is her mothers"


Nobody knows. They have only just
come out. In fact, they would never
have come out at all were it not for the
purpose of chaperoning this daughter
whom they love better than life. They
would never have known Saratoga but
for this daughter. They would now be
living in little brick house down on
Eleventh street. At present they live
upon Fifth avenue, and spend every
dollar of income, and even eat into the
principal. to dress and bring out this
daughter. 5,


It is an unhappy struggle all around.
They laugh and seem to enjoy them
selves, but, alas in their hearts they
hate Saratoga, hate their own rich
dresses, and really sigh for the little
plaiu house where they used to 1--we
within their incomes before the daugh-
ter came.


But she must be married OIL.


Who will have her.


If she we're beautiful some rich man
would take her. If she were rich, some
handsome fortune hunter or some thrifty
business man would take her. AS 1t IS,
nobody wants her. She is dead
weight.


She is based on clothes.


Not brain, family, or money, bu'
simply twenty-eight dresses from hei
stock N trade.


If no man comes up this year to pro
pose, her dear father will carry the
costly stock over another year, and next
year we will see her again, with twenty
eight new dresses, costlier and more
beautiful than the last.


And then, if no aristocratlc lover
offers, she will be offered i'll her OWL
set. Even old admirers who have beer
rejected will be encouraged. Pride will
keep her from marrying beneath her,
self. They hoped to make brilliant
match for her. and, failing In tins, she
will eventually be all old maid, and ne!
name, instead of figuring with the olG
and aristocratic families on charity bal
invitations, will be printed among the
Sabbath. school teachers in her own little
church, or may be she will manage Inc
more aristocratic charity concerts.
Poor child


How strange the Eorld is.-Ne''
York Sun.