The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-11-10
SELECTED STORIES.
My Little White Apron.
BY GABRIELLE LEE.

My Little White Apron.
BY GABRIELLE LEE.
I am the youngest of five daughters. The
rest were born with that woman's heritage
beauty; their share of it, at all events. l
was born comparatively plain.
Twas the youngest daughter. But do not
think was abused or prosecuted. My sis
tiers told me of their admirers, and listened
with the most earnest attention They con-
suited me, too; said "No ones taste was
better than mine" and in fact, as they
could not afford lady's maid out of their
somewhat slender purse, why converted
myself into one-crimped hair, got them
ready for parties, and held councils over the
color of ribbon. was " to live" with
them when they got married, each one would
tell me in turn. 1t was gay prospect, GER
tainly-I knew what it meant; it would be
nice to have somebody to look after the
house, you see. don't mean to be sarcas-
tic; hate sarcastic women, and my sisters
were nice girls; did love them; but then
it's not natural that loaves and fishes should
he given to some, and bare crumbs to anoth-
er However, kept the thought down
wouldn't give it space in my heart a mo-
ment; listened to the praise of my sisters
was glad to have them courted and admir-
ed; and if fortune had given plumes to
the rest, and none to me, it was no use to
make sour faces over the matter-it would
not remedy it one bit.
swell, Annie" said my mother, with a
sigh, ~ suppose we must begin to get your
sisters ready for the winter campaign. l
hope this year to be able to buy you nice
silk, and new bonnet I'll see how much
money is left when they are fitted out. l
am tired of seeing you in their cast off
things"
Ny mothers cheek had been bright with
roses once; they were now pale; this $ fit
ting out business worried her annually. 1t
was SO hard to get every thing as it should
be, and yet make both ends meet"
"Never mind, DEAR" said 1, kissing the
cheek that had been very fair and fresh
once but which was somewhat worn now
cheek dearer to me than all the world be-
side. She understood me better than any
one, and would call me little violet" some
times adding, You are not always to be in
the corner, Annie Some one will find out
your sweetness, and stoop to pluck you for
it, when more snowy flowers will be suffered
to fade unnoticed.n
"Never mind, DEAR" said !, don't think
of me. As for new silk, don't lift nv
eyes to that; nice merino will do Just as
well you know. / don't 90 into society.
Wait, mother, mine, till my sisters make
their choice and you and I are left to keep
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 bel This passed through nv
mind as l went about putting the house in
order.
Toward night the party drew up with a
formidable array of bundles. 1 waited un-
til they had finished tea. How hungry they
all were
"How well my Annie makes everything"
said mamma. This tea is delicious"
"And the toast-isn't that good? 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 CONNECTIONS.
Matilda aud Rose had something pleasant
to say, too; and felt repaid for my DAYS
labor, though my frame ached with fatigue.
Never mind, those square brown packages
lying on the table there, held meriho for
me at all events-perhaps silk If it
should be silk! would be as happy as
queenl ..
Tea being done, cleared the table, and
then the girls began to unite their packages.
Presently, chair. table and sofa were bright
with ribbon, laces, and shining new silk
for each of the four.
So you didn't get the merino for me af-
ter all 2" said at length with voice tried
to make steady.
My 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 much now-a-
days. 1 did hope"
"Oh ! you know, mamma, we could not
do without new dresses !" chorussed the
four.
did feel grieved; but no matrer, had
battled down ppointment before, could
do it again. First, ran up to my room,
however, and had quiet cry. After
which 1 came down, and discussed with the
rest, trimmings, new styles, etc., until bed
time. ...I -r
The next day, Rose, next older than my
self brought me certain merino, she had
bought new the winter before.
There, Annie" said she, 'tyou may have
this. 1t is almost as good as new, and you
know my dresses fit you exactly"
IT WAS 0alm0sf as OOod "a ueyy.D INIT tbar
the color-it was brown, and just hate
brown with all my hearth Besides, it was
not becoming. Rose was fairer than /, and |
do.
thanked my sister, and took it. Would
it be SO always, thought. What ifI should
start of, like the youngest daughter in the
fairy tale, and seek my fortune Never mind
Iwould be patient-that was best and right;
so soothed myself, put on my bonnet and
shawl and went out.
had some shopping to do on nv own
account. It took me but little while, and
comprised one parcel, very small, and an
other so small that it went into nv pocket.
The first held remnant of white cambria
to be made into an apron, designed to cover
over that brown merino; the other a bit of
rose c0lored ribbon, meant to brighten the
same.
made the apron with care, tucked it fine
", ruffied the bib waist daintily. When
put on the brown merino, the little apron,
and the bit of rose colored ribbon that fas-
tened the rim of white collar at the throat,
knew looked "as neat as PIN" and far
ther than that expected not.
Ny sisters looked pretty enough in their
bright silk dresses of auzline blue, crimson
and apple green, which were finished just in
time. There was to be a matinee musicale
and as the girls sang nicely, Italian music
mostly, and were to take leading parts, they
all enjoyed the prospect amazingly.
did, too, but only alphabetically, fol
was to play "Cinderella," and stay a
home. Four sisters were enough to 60 in
to society. As for five, it was not to be