Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-02-08

for mother never forgot her younger
days and fine things she had seen.
She hadn't always been poor as she
was now-she had lived in the city
and seen and known the folks; and
when she married father she left that
behind and took the little farm fo1
her home, and | have heard her say
she liked it better than her city home
for all things didn't look so fine and
have such grand air.
So | waited for her to think; and
at last" Matte" said she, "there is
one dress l can fix over for you and
the city folks can't outshine you"
"What is it mother ?"
"The blue dress with the gold stars
in it"
"But that is your wedding dress
| can't take that
eyes, Matte, you must" said she
"when | came out here it was too fine
for me, and it has been long enough
IN that old chest
So mother opened the chest, and
we both got down on our knees on
the floor beside it, and looked at it
lying there. Then she ripped up the
cloth about it and shook out the
crumpled rosemary leaves and held
1t up before me, and said:
"Mattie, when you put it on, I shall
see myself again" and her eyes were
wet; and seeing this, put down the
longing for the dress, and said
"Mother. put it back; it is too grand
for me. What would Gilbert say to
see me wear it p
But mother was determined. 30
we set to work to change the make
OF it as well as we could. And the
next day, how we did work and faith
er looked so amazed, and was so
pleased that | was to go. | Sewed
till my bones ached; and mother did
the cutting and cOntriving, and that
was more than hall.
1t wasn't in the time of sewing ma
chimes, but before dark mother put
the last stitch to it, and | took it up
stairs to put it on. | laid it down
and looked at it. 1t was the grand
est thing | had ever had; since then
| have worn many such, but none
pleased me as the first did. Then |
sat down by the window, and looked
over to GiIbert's home, standing
back among the trees which kept it
in such shadow, and dreamed / was
mistress Of it, and the years were
charmed years for Gilbert and l.
Then | curled my hair and put on the
dress. Was it really Matte Raymond
that smiled back at me from the glass :?
How the tiny stars seemed to wink
at Inc from the deep blue Then [
ran down to ask mother if she knew
herself again.
How bright it all is to remember
since things have all been so changed.
Across the fields came Gilbert,
walking fast and whiStling-holding
bunch of white roses in his hand.
| ran up stairs and mother brought
me the roses | caught up my sleeves
with them and put a bunch for my
brooch, and went down stairs, and |
was happier than ever before, or
ever shall be again till all is made
right.
"Why, Mat" said Gilbert, at is
you | see, perhapS-you look like
some lady of old, or may be an angel.
/ Mother laughed and said: "she
wont be outshone | colored up
and answered:
1T takes blue to make me an angel
though" and | tried to cover oven
mothers speeches, for | did not care
that Gilbert should hear how mother
and | had planned about it, for he
would not understand; men never do
YOU. Then we started across the
field, and held up my dress so not
one of the tiny stars should sweep the
grass, and Gilbert was at his gayeSt
and laughed and joked me about my
dress, and | only wanted a half-moor
in my hair to make me queen of the
night. How proud and happy | was
that time! O! that the best part of
our life can be tasted but once in al
the years we must be alive!
My how the lights sparkled an(
lit up the gay dresses Of the city ladies
Over in one corner they stood watch
ing our country boys and girls, gettin!
ready for the first dance; and higl
over all the gay laughter and sounC
Of dancing feet, foated the music, ant
| think it must have witched US all.
Gilbert said we would cross owe
and see his city friends, and so | he'll
up my dress and tried to still tn
l bounds my heart gave, and went wit
a proud face to meet my woe.
Gilbert shook hands with them a
Except one lady, standing apart, tall
ing with the handsomest man Of thel
all, and told them | was his frient
!. Miss Raymond; and they bowed an
:, smiled, and seemed to forget my coul
:, try ways; so | forgot them for one
and was at my ease among then
wondering who the lady was he di
= not speak to. Then the gentlema
! she was talking to, turned and said
= "Miss Raymond, Miss Howard an
she bowed and glanced at me wit
: her great shining eyes. But whe
Gilberts turn came, she reached fort
the whitest hand towards him, an
! looked up in his face and smiled, ar
= = then | saw what she would do, and
, hated her.
Robert Hale talked and walked al
a danced with me, and Gilbert and Mi
r.