Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-01-07
CHRIsT1E's NEW-YEAR's PARTY.

scarcely knew how to spare dollar.
Spread out upon the little table before me
was the vast sum of thirty five dollars,
every penny of my savings for one long
year, aud the New Year would open in
two more days. 1t seemed so little, that
I could scarcely make myself believe that
l could take out the crisp ten dollar bill
l had put to one side. Nobody knew
I had intended to give Christie New
Years gift, nobody would blame me or
feel in the least disappointed if I failed to
do so. The time had been when I could
give presents of ten times that value and
never miss the sun now sat looking at
the bank.note and wondering if l could
make my last winters bonnet last till
spring if my boots would look well until
my next quarterly payments; aud if, after
all, Christie would enjoy the party so very
much. And then I saw again the pretty
face with unshed tears in the large brown
eyes that perused the dainty invitation,
and heard the quivering voice saying: -
at is Of no use to think Of it, mother !;
/ have nothing fit to wear"
Pretty Christie Burgess was the daush.
:er Of the widow lady with whom I board
ed. She had passed her seventeenth
birthday, and was wiusomc, bright girl,
well educated, but without remarkable
talents. gave her lessons on the piano,
in singing. in French. 10 part pay ment for
my board; and being tho only boarder
the smaIl house could accommodate, I vas
confidential friend Of both mother and
daughter. aud knew that, like myself
they had known better days; though, ua-
like the, there was no bitter tragedy in
their past to rise up aud haunt them
They had los, husband and father ten
years before, aud from sharing 4 large
salary he earned in a bank, they were
forced TO earn their own support. their
small income just paying the rent Of the
little house. Somewhere in California
there was an uncle Charles, Mr.. Burgess
brother, who would keep them, they we're
sure, had be known their Circumstances,
but whose address they could not tell, asd
who knew nothing OF their having left
their former handsome home. We often
jested about the rich uncle 10 California,
just like novel hero, q Christie said /;
bat l think they knew but little Of him
personally, ss he had resided in A
previous to leaving for California, asd 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 inviousion
to New Years party at her housG As
soon as il was positively decided that she
could not 70, becauss oeu evening dress
could not be thought Of, the spiri, Of op-
position took possession Of INC, and I re-
solved upon the awful cxiravaganee Of pre-
sentinr the pretty girl vith dress for .
Nes Years gin I eould make it myself ;
and, packed away in my trunk. we're .
fev jewels that had kept as reliet Of
the happy days had known in the past.
thought the glowing earbaucles would
suit Christiss brovn curk n well ~ ny
ovu raven locks, aud il there vas some
pain in the idea Of briagisg ihea 10 light.
and lending them TO another, Christie .
pleasure mus, balance that paia.
New Years day was an auniversary
whose very name made NY heart sick ;
bat, perhaps. BY gisisg pleasure 10 this
insoeens girl. I might ky some Of the
ghosts Of memory that rose up every Jan.
uafy to haunt me.
s. 10 vieu Of ali tAsss thiss.. I r.s he
tss dsllars 'seo ~ psrse sd stsstsi 10
buy Chris'ie's dress Il mast b q uhiss
tsrlsioa. l decided. fer shas v.s ehsaps.s.
ssd could sake The skhts fsn sss.xk
10 dspssse vith silk ksiae. asd Asvs
enough for white si.k waist ssasrshs sAis
fahris, vhiss sssvss, psis Il asissy Clip