CHAPTER IX.
In another week Tom and Nellie arrived in the city on a visit and were astonished at their reception. They had intended seeing their old friends and enjoying a quiet time, but instead were rushed from one place to another and were constantly told that “of course you must see so-and-so, for they are such good workers in the cause, don’t you know, and will be encouraged if you will only see them.”
They went everywhere and enjoyed the occasion, being pleased that they were so well received.
“But, Tom,” Nellie said one morning, “we must see more of Scoris. I am getting impatient to see the effect those presents will have upon her and the surprise they will be. Do you know, Tom, what Scoris Vivian is like? A beautiful diamond—a continual surprise; the setting is so simple, so unobtrusive, but the gem is always seen. To me her life is one continual sparkling ray of love that is never hidden. Just think of it! Here we have been feted and given receptions by members who were so glad to honor us for what you have done, and she had as much to do with this movement in the beginning as you had and a great deal more than I, yet no one seems to realize it. We are receiving all the presents from the manufacturers, and I am glad I found out her taste in regard to dress. Now we can give her her choice, for she certainly deserves the best. I never was dressed so well before and it helps the cause that much more. I am glad it pays them to send them to us.”
“Pays them!” laughed Tom. “Well, I should thinkit did. Do you know how many cases our members have already taken from that firm that was the first to send these samples?”
“No; how many?”
“I forget the exact figure, but it was more than any of the old firms they have been dealing with, I was told, and we are only in our infancy as a society. It has paid them well to become members and will start others to do so, for of course we secure them a market in a way that helps the society and makes them no expense for advertising and the returns are large. It will be only a matter of time when they will manufacture under the name of the society.”
“So you have gotten away from them all at last!” exclaimed Scoris, as she met them at the door the next evening. “We were afraid they were going to monopolize you during the whole visit, you are so popular. I have felt so gratified. And your beautiful gowns! Why, Nellie, you are bewitching! Come, now, stand up for inspection. That dress is lovely and fits like a glove. From your hat to your shoes all is perfection. I am going out to that colony, for I see you have a fairy godmother out there. Why, my dear, you look like a girl of sixteen.”
Tom drew the two women to him who had been so much to him, while all laughed at the demonstration of affection.
“A bright group worthy of a larger audience,” said Helen, as she breaks in on their meeting.
“But the fine clothes,” said Scoris.
Nellie laughed and struck an attitude that the girls might see all the beauty of the costume, while all were convulsed with laughter at the faces she made.
“Has that colony struck a gold mine?” Helen asked, “or from whence cometh all this grandeur?”
“Yes and no,” continued Tom. “We have struck a mine of wealth and it produces gold when that metal is desired. So it amounts to the same thing and it is the greatest mine on earth, too, for it is producing what gold cannot buy, and that is the kindly interest and affection of our members. We all stand by each other.”
“We have something here for you, Scoris, so you can take your choice. You come first then. Helen, then we will send the rest to other workers in the cause. We want you to help us select and sort them.”
“Why, Nellie,” said Scoris, “these are beautiful. I never had anything like this silk, and when can I wear it?”
“The occasion will be marked by well dressed members of the Colony,” Tom said, “and it is just as it should be. Our coronation days should be so distinguished by well dressed people that they will always be remembered and the picture will make a decided impression upon the minds of every one.”
“Oh,” exclaimed Scoris, “here is something I have wanted for years. It is so light, cool and beautiful, these dainty lawns, these woolens, silks and cloths. Why, they will last me for years. Everything I need is here in the way of clothing.”
Helen was given her choice, then amid the exclamations of joy and satisfaction of being the first to appear in all these samples sent out from the manufacturers, the conversation soon turned to the discussion of dress-makers. They abounded in the Colony, but the one who made Nellie’s dresses was preferred. It was apparent that her style was superior and the work of the best.
“Now, girls, all you have to do is to look lovely asbecomes a thriving and wealthy community. These presents make it possible, and remember you are producing wealth and should be making use of the best of everything. In this exchanging of interests and materials we must make a good appearance. We owe it to ourselves as leaders and it will have a great effect on the people at large.”
“Nothing succeeds like success,” continued Tom. “The appearance of it stimulates the ones who are afraid to venture. A nicely dressed person always lives in our memory.”
The girls laughed.
“Well, if you don’t believe this, try the effect of walking down the dreary, dirty streets in any of our large cities and see if it doesn’t have a depressing effect. Then cross over to the ones that are bright with all that prosperity gives to enhance the general appearance of both the houses and the people and see if the memory of the latter will not be stimulating in comparison, especially when you have it in your power to improve your own surroundings, as this society gives you. The main thing is to fix your aim high. To build a grand house it is necessary to dig and make lots of dirt in laying the foundation and so it has been in achieving the end we had in view, but when we meet together to enjoy the well-earned recreation, we must see to it that our bodies are properly clothed, for they will show the amount of our ability and will prove how much we know of the power of concentration, or the law of attraction. No one should be ignorant of these things.”
“Well, Tom, I believe you have studied human nature from every standpoint,” said Scoris. “I will certainly profit by all these lovely things, for I was beginning to be ashamed to go out anywhere. I have saved so muchof my salary to secure shares that I have hated to spend anything for clothes, but I believe you are right. My whole life is before me, and I may as well enjoy it.”
A day or two later, when Tom and Nellie found themselves in their home again, Tom said, “We have had a pleasant time and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I am glad to get home again. These apartments we are using this year are so superior to anything we ever had in the city. Fresh air is certainly a luxury, and an atmosphere free from dust is another.”