The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-04-03
Misfellaueuus.
CHRISrIE'S NEW.YEAR'S PARTY.
BY O. ANNIE YRosr.

scarcely knew how to spare q dollar.
Spread out upon the little table before me
was the vast sum Of thirty five dollars
every penny oi my savings for one long
year, and the new year would open in two
more days. II seemed so little that could
scarcely make myself l'elleve that could
take out the crisp ten dollar bill ] hal put
to one side. Nobody knew I had intended
to give Christie New Years gin, nobody
would feel disappointed if failed to do so.
The time had been when could give pres.
ents of ten times thar value and never miss
the sum now sat looking at the hank.
note, and wondering if | could make my
last winters bonnet last ill spring, if my
boots would look well until my next quar-
terly payments (; and II, after all, Christie
would enjoy the party so much. And then
again the pretty face with unshed tears In
the large brown eyes that perused the dainty
invitation, and heard the quivering voice
saying:
"It's Of no Use to think Of 1t, mother; |
have nothing fit to wear"
Pretty Christie Burgess was the daughter
Of the widow lady with whom l boarded.
She had passed. her seventeenth birthday.
and was winsome, bright little girl, well
educated, hut without remarkable talents.
gave her lessons on the piano, in singing,
in French, in p,rt payment for my board |;
and being the only boarier the small house
could accommodate, was confidential
friend of both mother aud daughter, and
knew that. like myself, they had known
better days; though, unlike me, there was
no hitter tragedy In their past to rise up
and haunt them. They had lost u husband
and father ten years before, and from shar
ing large salary he earned in hank. they
were forced to earn their own support,
their small income just paying tho rem, Of
the little house. Somewhere In California
there was an Untfe Charles, Mr.. Burgess
brother. who We pld keep them. they were
sare. had he known their circumstances.
hut whose address they could not tell. and
who knew nothing of their having left their
former handsome home. We often jcsted
about the rich uncle in California. "just
like novel hero" rs Christie said; hut
think that they knew but liule of him per.
sonally, as he had resided in A. previ.
Gus to leaving for California, aud our quiet
home was in Cleveland.
Some Of Mrs. Burgess former friends
still visited her, and one Of them, Mrs.
Wharton, had sent Christie an invitation to
New Years party at her house. As soon
Us il WINS positively decided that she could
not 20, because new evening dress could
not be thought Of the spirit Of opposition
took possession Of me, and | resolved upon
the awful extravagance Of presenting the
pretty girl with dress for New Years
gilt. I could make il myself; and, packed
away in my trunk, were few jewels tha, ]
had kept Us relic Of the happy days ! had
known in the past. thought the glowing
carhuncles would suit Christie's brown
curls as well rs my own raven locks. and
il there was some pain in the idea Of bring
ing them to light, and lending them to an.
other, Christie's pleasure must balance that
pain.
New Years day was an anniversary
whose very name made me sick : hut, per.
l,aps by giving pleasure to this innocent
girl. l might lay some OF the ghosts Of
memory ,ha, rose ap every Jnnl'ary to
haunt me.
So, in view Of all these things, put the
ten dollars into my purse and started to
buy Cl,rislis's dress. 1t must be u, white
tarleton, l decided. for that was cheapest,
and could make the skirt full enough to
dispense with silk lining, and have enough
for white silk whist under the thin fabric
White gloves, a palr Of dainty slippers, n
cluster Of white moss roses for tho halr aud
bosom, / purchased, but found my ten dol.
lars already exceeded my calculations, aud
SO turned my steps homewarl, mentally
taking new gloves nml lew nec,cd little
,hings' from my own list Of expendi.
lures.
Il was worth It all to sec Christie when
I called her to my room on the afternoon
Of The eventual day, and introduced her to
the fincry spread ont upon my bed l had
worked late into the night to finish the
dress. und had taken out my carl'uncles
with fierce hesrt-pang, hat when ! saw
the beaming happiness on Chris,ie's luce ]
fol, rcpaid for all.
She WA MI dressed for the patty had
twined the roses in her hair, and had nr
ranged every fold in her dress. before i
summoned resolution to take tho jewels
from the box. Then, crushing back my
pain with desperate resolve, I opened 'sho
case. snyiug, as csrelessly as could;
@lhave somo jewels here, Christie, AN
goiug to lend you this evening"
-Ch, how pretty, and how odd y! she
cried II never saw carbuncles sct In that
pattern. Were they made TO order, MISS
Jane 3"
| "Ycs they were New Years gift to
me ssvsn yeau ago, when wss your ago