The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-09-21
misrelIanp.
NY LITTLE WHITE APRON.
Ely GABRIELLE LEE.

/ am the Youngest of five daughters. The rest
were horne With that womans heritage-beauty
their share of it, at all events was born com
paratively plain
was the youngest daughter. But do not thlns
l was abused and prosecuted. My sisters told
me of their admirers and llsteneo with th'
most earnest attention. They consulted ne, too
said "No ones taste was better than nine" and
in fact. as they could not afford ladys maid out
of their somewhat slender purses, why, convert
ed myself into one--crimped hair, got them ready
for parties, and held councils with them over the
color of their ribbon. I was 'to live with them
when thew were married, each one would ten me
in turn 1t was pleasant prospect, certainty
I knew what they meant it would be nice !"
have somebody to look after the house, you see
| don't mean to be sarcastic: hate q safcasIic
woman, and my sisters were NICE glrls' ol9
love them: but then it's not fair that loaVes anu
fishes should be given to some ana Dare cr"iios
to another. However, Kept the thouSht down.
wouldn't give it space in my heart moments
listened to the praises of my pretty sisters was
GLAD 20 have them courted and admired and ii
fortune had given plumes to the rest, and none to
me. II was no use to make sour faces OF the mat
ter-it wouldn't remedy it one DIT.
"Well Annie" said my mother with sigh, IL
SUPPOSE we must begin to get your sister ready
for the spring campaign. l hope thisy year shall
be able to buy you nice silk dress and new bon
net, I'll see how much money there is lett when
thew are fitted out. am tired Of seeing you in
their cast.off things
Nv mothers cheek had been bright with roses
once, but they were pale now: this sitting out
business" worried her annually. 1t was hard to
get everything as it should be, and yet make
"both ends meet"
"Never mind, DEAR" said kissing the cheek
that had been very fair and fresh once, but which
was somewhat worn nova cheek dearer to. me
than all the world beside. She understood me
better than anybody, would call me "little violet"
sometimes adding, "You're not always to be in
the corner, Annie Some one will find out your
sweetness, and stoop to pluck you for it, when
snowy flowers will be suffered to fade unnoticed."
"Never mind, DEAR" said I, "don't think of me.
As for silk, l don't lift my eyes to that nice
merino win do Just as well you know. / don't
20 society. Wait Mother, mine, till my sisters
make their choice, and you and are left to keep
the house together, then I'll have fine dress and
wear it to please you"
Mother smiled, and dressing herself, took the
girls out shopping. Would they bring me home
that merino dress, and what color would it be!
This passed through my mind as 1 was about
putting the house in order.
It was sweeping day, and after that had
promised to put up Jeanette's Mechlin lace set,
and flute Matilda's ruftles, besides odd jobs for
the other two, Laura and Rose
Towards night the party drew up with for
midable array of bundles. l waited until they
had finished tea. How hungry they all were!
"How well my Annie makes everything" said
mamma. "This tea tastes delicious
Sand the toast-isn't that good 2" said Jeanette
helping herself to fresh slice.
'.And what good luck Annie always has with
her cake, added Laura, drawing the cake-basket
nearer, for she was dear lover of corrections"
Matilda and Rose hadsomething pleasant to
say, too; and l felt repaid for my days labor,
though my frame ached with fatigue. Never
mind. those square, brown packages lying on the
table there held merino at all events-perhaps
silk? I'd be as happy as queen!
Tea being done, cleared the table, and then
nv sisters began to unite their packages. Pre-
sently, chair, table, and sofa were bright with
ribbons, laces, and shining new silk for each
of the four. g
$50 you didn't get the merino for me, after
all?" 1 said, at length in voice tried to make
steady.
NV mother looked distressed. "Annie, dear,
there was nothing left to buy it with. The girls
each thought they must have new silk-and
silks do cost so nowadays. did hope"
ooh you know, mamma, we could not do
without new dresses!' chorused in the four.
l did feel grieved but no matter. had battled
down disappointments before, 1could do itagain.
First, ran up to my room, however, and had
q quiet cry, after which came down and discus.
sed with the rest, trimmings new styles, &C., till
bed time.
The next day, Rose next older than myself,
brought me certain merino she had bought new
the winter before.
"Therc ANNIE" said she, 'you may have this.
It il almost Us good as new, and you know my
dresses fit you exactly"
1t was "almOst as good as new !" but then the
color--it was brown, and just hate brown with
all my heart! Besides, it was not becoming
Rose was fairer than l, and looked well in it no
matter, would make it do.
thanked my sister and took it. Would it be
SO always, l thought? What if should start
off, like the youngest daughter in the fairy tale,
and seek my fortune. Never mind, would be
patient-that was best and right, 80 / sOothed
myself, put on my bonnet and shawl, and went
out. Gr
I had some shopping to do on my own occount
1t took me but q little while, and comprising one
parcel, very small, and another so small that it
went into my pocket. The first held remnant
of white cambria to make into an apron, designed
to cover over that brown merino; the other, a
bit Of rose colored ribbon, meant to brighten the
same. at'Hf
made the apron with care, tucked it finely,
rufled the bib waist dainty. When put on the
brown merino, the little apron and the bit of
colored ribbon that fastened a rim of white color
at the throat, knew looked as "neut as " pin :
and farther than that l expected not.
My sisters looked pretty enough in their bright
silk dresses of azuline blue, crimson and apple
green, which were finished just in time. There
was to be matinee musicale, and as the girls
sang nicely, italian mostly, and were to take
leading parts, they all enjoyed the prospect amaz
ingly.
I did too, but only sympothetcally, for I was
to play "Cnderella," and stsy at home. -Four