418 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



completed bonnet is frequentlj- fitted, in order to see if it comes to tlie pro- 

 per marks, and if it is " made" in the right shape without requiring to be 

 pulled into it. 



The driving up of the "straw cart," with its coat of arms, a bundle of 

 rje painted upon the panel, has been the signal for the sewer to bring out 

 her bonnets from their receptacle, and when we enter she has them all 

 ready for delivery to our companion. He inspects them to see if the num- 

 bers denoting the size, style of braid and sewer, have been properly placed 

 at the tip, having an eye also to the workmanship; gives credit on his book 

 ■for the work done, and retires with his load to the cart for more stock. He 

 ^oes not effect his retreat, however, without being urged by the lady to 

 give her the best and finest straw he has ; for not only can she generally 

 make more in sewing this, but with a lady's taste, she finds it much 

 pleasanter to work on a fine article, which shall look nice when done, than 

 upon a coarse affair which she would be ashamed to wear herself. Of 

 course our friend, the stock deliverer, is bound to comply with her request, 

 or at least to seem to do so, and to have all of his sewers for special favor- 

 ites. Bringing in a few pieces of braid of twenty or sixty yards each, with 

 a sufBcient quantity of thread to sew it and numbers to match, he charges 

 the same upon her book and starts for the door. 



We have already reached the carriage, but he is not with us. Ah ! he 

 has turned back to pnt his head into the room and give the usual injunc- 

 tion, " Be sure and have the stitches short on the outside !" Thus he leaves 

 the sewer, who will be in a continual worry until he makes his next 

 appearance for fear that amidst the ever-changing fashions she shall next 

 week have to commence work on a new block, just as she has become 

 accustomed to the one in accordance with which she now makes her bonnets. 



As we ride along with the stock deliverer on his visits to his " lady 

 friends," he gives us some particulars concerning the sewing of the braid, 

 "We learn that it takes about three hours to sew twenty-five yards of me- 

 dium width braid, the quantity required for a bonnet, but that the sewer is 

 paid according to the number of yards she sews, without special reference 

 to the number of bonnets made. By reference to a copy of the " Rules," 

 which he has the kindness to show us, we find that the braid must not be 

 sewed wet or damp (often transgressed), that the thread must be un waxed 

 and tiglitlj^ drawn, tliat "back stitches" not exceeding half an inch in 

 length are to be taken, and that clean hands while at work are insisted 

 upon. 



"We have imagined ourselves to be in company with the stock deliverer. 

 We have obtained a glimpse of the manner in which the straw is sewed, 

 and since our purpose has thus been accomplished, let us avoid the tedious 

 all-day ride, with its frequent halts, to which the stock deliverer is doomed, 

 and, reversing the course of our journey, consider ourselves back again at 

 the Union Straw Works. 



We are in the receiving room, the place where the bonnets are deposited 

 after coming from the hands of our late companion. Here let us take heed 

 to our steps lest we trample upon the bonnets and hats which lie about 

 loosely upon the floor seemingly in the greatest confusion. Bonnets of 

 various colors, wholly regardless of general notions with regard to keeping 



