ARTISTE-MAN-MILLINER.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1107, 30 August 1871, Page 2

ARTISTE-MAN-MILLINER.

This is the term says the San Francisco Chronicle, which Eustaclie Roberts applies to himself to designate his business of tailoring for women. Our MantiJlini, however, conjoint to his trade of cutting out dresses a literary occupation as a fashion reporter; hence between his two callings, he is realizing a handsome fortune out of the children of Shoddy. Mantillini had the honor of dressing Bill Tweed's daughter Mary, or, as he calls her, " Mademoiselle Mary Tweed," on the occasion of her nuptiais, supplying her with fourteen garments, all emanating from his innate artistry. In his last bulletin the man-milliner in dulges in a rapturous description of the beauty oi his handicraft, and supplements the prices he received fur the bridal trousseaux. His bill is instructive to those about to marry : Wedding dress dols. 5,000 Reception dress 1,000 Purple evening dress ... ... 900 Black walking dress, with 380 bows 700 Brown walking dress 000 Lilac walking suit 500 Pompadour street dress ... ... 400 Light brown silk dress, 50 yards ... 300 Six other dresses ... ... ..„ 1,500 Total dols. ... 10,900 And as " Mademoiselle Marie Tweedy " is but a type of her class of prodigals, Mantillini does well, notwithstanding the general contempt in which his artistic calling is held by other men of less artisiic brains. The only drawback to the full development of his art, consists in the rebellion of the express companies, who refuse responsibility in conveyance of female baggage at the valuation Mantillini puts on his wares. Consequently, in their hegira to the sea-shore our belles run the risk of a disappearance of their ponderous Saratoga trunks, which they believe to be incumbent on them to carry with them from place to place.

A STRANGE STORY. " John Perrybixgle," in the Weekly Times:—Who wouldn't feel for thewriter of this advertisement ? " Wanted,, immediately, a friend from home with valuables. Affectionate welcome will be given. Aj-ix, Argus office." Touching, isn't it ? Wanted a friend from home wcth valuables! Affectionate welcome! What would happen to the friend if he turned up without any valuables ? I remember many years ago, a man I knew had made a little more money than he wanted for himself, and so went home to England to spend the remainder of his days among his poor relations. He\l liwd at Geelong all his life, and wasn't what you might call a lively chap ; but still there were the makings of a joke in him : : and so when he reached home by- the celebrated Al clipper ship Lincolnshire,, he roused out the shabbiest clothes hecould lay hands on, and looking as miserable as a bandicoot, made for his married brother's house in the cool of the evening. The family were having tea, when the strange and seedy man walked in, saying to the gent of the house, " Don't you know me, Jem? I'm your little brother Bob, that used to be-\ and I've come home as poor as Lazarus.. I'd rather starve among my own flesh and blood than out there in Australia." When he said this, the artful rogue •twigged his brother's wife kicking him under the (able; and presently she got up, lays hold of the kids, and goes awav without saving never so much as a word. When she was gone, Jem says to Bob, " Well, you see, Bob, we're uncommon glad to see you and all that sort of thing, but really a man with a. family has no right to help his relations, you know; however, come insome evening, and have a cup of tea." Thereupon Bob went out, and his affectionate brother Jem didn't see him any more. He looked up an old friend in a poor way, and spun the same yarnto him and to his wife. When he'd' told his tale, the old friend turns to his wife and says, " Sally, my clear, just send round the corner to the beef and ham shop for a pound of the best, cut t.hiu. Got a new loaf too, and let's have a quart of porter. Likewise makeup a bed in the little parlor for Bob, and make him comfortable.—Bob, old man, it does a fellow good to see you. Give us your hand, We're poor, and rather hungry here sometimes ; but if you like to share our hunger, why Bob, you're welcome, and that's plain." Next week Bob set that man up in business; and jus brother Jem never left off grieving that he hadn't spotted "the valuables."