Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 December 1912 — HOW THREE WOMEN ENJOYED THE MUSIC [ARTICLE]

HOW THREE WOMEN ENJOYED THE MUSIC

Three plump women, ranging In weight from 160 to 200 pounds, file in; and, after much creaking of silk gowns and groaning of chairs, are seated as the concert is about to begin.) First Plump Woman (breathlessly) —“This Is going to be a perfectly grand concert. I’m so glad we decided to come this afternoon, though I was awfully afraid Mrs. Deming wouldn’t send my gown home. It did come, though, Just in time for me to dress. How do you like it?’’ Second Plump Woman—"lt’s perfectly lovely. But then you always look exactly right. So well groomed, don’t you know, and all that Doesn’t Bhe, Mrs. Tilden?” v Mrs. Tilden—“lt’s the dearest thing I ever saw. You certainly have the best taste in dress, Mrs. Snowdon. Every time I see Mrs. Snowdon, Mrs. Thompkins, I say to myself: ’ ‘lf I only had such taste as she has!’ ” Mrs. Snowdon—“How nice you two are! Of course, I know you’re just saying it to make me happy, but then it’s just as dear of you as If you meant it. Now, I think you two are the trim* mest two women I know.” (Orchestra plays first number. At Its close the three women give three sighs of apprepiation or relief.) Mrs. Snowdon—“Pretty, wasn’t It? I do just love Wagner. And while I think of it, Mrs. Tilden, I want to ask you where you got that perfect dream of a fichu you had on yesterday at the tea. I’m crazy about it!” Mrs. Tilden —“Oh, do you really like it? How sweet of you to say so! I got the lace in Paris and I had my little seamstress make it when I got home. I think it’s rather fetching.” Mrs. Thompkins—“lt’s the dearest thing! Oh, they’re going to play again. I wish they’d wait a little longer between the numbers.” (The first violinist plays a solo.) Mrs. Thompkins—“lsn’t that violinist the dearest thing you ever saw? I simply adore him.” Mrs. Snowdon—“Yes, he’s perfectly sweet, but he has the funniest looking wife. Did you ever see her?” Mrs. Tilden—“l should think I did. I have very good reasons to remember her. I saw her at the tea Mrs. Dupont gave for her, and one of the maids spilled punch all over my best gown. It was never fit to wear afterward.” (Chorus of lamentations from the other two.) Mrs. Tilden —“And such a dowdy thing as she is, too. Really, her gown was nothing but the plainest kind of silk. It looked as if she had bought it ready made. Really, the most ordinary looking thing.” Mrs. Snowdon—“Funny, isn’t it, how queer these artistic people are about their clothes? The only one I ever knew who wasn’t was the wife of that artist who visited Mrs. Tolman last winter. Do you remember what perfect dreams her gowns were?” Mrs. Tompkins l (with intense interest) —“Weren’t they! I never saw anything more beautiful than the one she had at the reception Mrs. Tolman gave for her.” (The orchestra rudely interrupts them.) Mrs. Tilden —“Isn’t that young flutist absolutely the most attractive creature you ever £aw? Now, do tell me about the gown you were speaking of, Mrs. Thompkins. You know, I was ill last winter and didn’t go to the reception.” Mrs. Thompkins-—“Well, It was gorgeous, my dear. Simply too wonderful for words. It was . the most delicate shade of bluish lavender —a perfectly indescribable color. Marquisette over messaline, draped in the most wonderful way, and caught up with little bunches of chiffon, with a violet fastened in the center of each. What a catastrophe that you missed it!” Mrs. Tilden—“l almost cried when I heard about it. I was the most disappointed person you ever saw. And usually Mrs. Tolman’s affairs are so dowdy. By the way, there’s Mrs. Parks down there. Speaking of dowdy people made me think of her. She has less idea of dressing than an* other woman I ever knew. Actually she went to Mrs. Tuttle’s garden party last Thursday in a perfectly plain linen frock. Not even a suit, my dear—just a little linen dress, with some sprays of embroidery on the front panel. Can you imagine any one doing such an unheard of thing? I’m sure Mrs. Tuttle felt it very keenly.” Mrs. Snowdon—“Poor Mrs. Tuttle! By the way, I suppose you’re both going to the Trenton's Friday evening?” The Other Two—“ Yes, indeed!” Mrs. Tilden—“l wouldn’t miss it for worlds. What are you going to •wear?” Mrs. Snowdon—"Oh, I’m having Mrs? Deming freshen up my white voile with some new laces —just cheap little lace, only $3.50 a yard, but I’ve worn the gown three times already and I didn’t fee) like putting much money into fixing it up.” Mrs. Thompkins—‘Tin having a little gray chiffon made, and I really think it’s going to be a very dainty little frock. Simple, of course, and inexpensive. I’ve made up my mind that I simply won’t spend more than SSO on It. But then I adore simplicity. I simply will not fuss over my clothes." Mrs. Tilden—“Nor I.” Mrs. Snowdon —“I feel Just the way you do. That’s why I adore living In Forest View. I simply couldn’t lire In a place where people Judged you by the clothes you wear. In Forest View, you know, you really don’t have to fire your clothes a single thought."