Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-10-19
THE OLD BALkDREss.
BY il. PRICE.

Il
lyitation to her "dear FIVE hundred friends
for grand ball at her elegant residence
on Fifth Avenue, in honor of the entrance
OF her twin daughters into society. si
a They had just been graduated at some
fashionable, finishing off, establishment
and their debut was intended to be We.
ry magnificent affair. ~ ,a,
Mrs. Gregory, husband, and daughters
were on the invited list. As the former
and two latter sat in their parlor, looking
at the elegant cards. with the interesting
subject under deep discussion, they were
broken in upon by the entrance of Mr..
Gregory, who looked harrassed and weary.
"Papa !" cried Lena, the elder daugh-
ter, ''see our invitations to Mrs. Lang
don's great ball." showing him. the cards
she held in her hand. '.And there is the
loveliest silk at Stewards, that want to
wear. Can / 60 and order it to morrow %
she pleaded, laying her white hand, fash
ing with jewels, on his arm, and looking
up in his face. N 20
f.Hayen't you any dresses to wear? p he
asked. somewhat moodily. ~,
+, "a, plenty of old ones. which have al
ready been worn, and will not answer for
; this, particular event. she returned.
"How much will it cost? p. Mr.. Gregory
asked. ~ ,ls t- l-.q i
Sob, perhaps hundred and fifty"
said Lena, carelessly, with as little idea
of the value of money as an unfedged
bird. sakzs. seca a11ats
Her father. groaned, and said something
about '''foolish extravaganza :" then draw
ing out his pocket-book, slowly counting
out the required sum, and laid it ON the
table. .as,l-,r p L-sa
= 'sHow much do you want, Bertha ?" he
asked, turning towards her
II don't think want any, papa. have
a pretty dress which will answer very
nicely she replied. -f4
you're a sensible girl, and the man
that gets you for wife, will have some
one to help him keep his head above wa
ter If the pressure on the money mark
ct lasts much longer, with these demands
to meet, shall soon be a dead bankrupt"
said Mr.. Gregory, as he left the room.
What is the trouble with papa? What
does make him talk so dolefully when he
is asked for little money!" said Lena.
Amy one would think he was q poor
man.
'.It is one Of his money nervous spells;
he is always SO afraid his business affairs
won't come out just so straight; then it
is economy, and retrenchment, or every
thing will drift to bankruptcy. That is
the way business men always talk, till it
has become quite an old story with me-
said Mrs. Gregory, drawing breath of
relief.
Il don't think papa is trying to fright
en- US at ALL" said Bertha IL think his
business does really perplex him. I've
noticed, for a week. that he has looked
pale and care-worn. and has said but lit
tle. / asked him. yesterday, if he was
not well, and he said there were anxitics
preying upon his mind"
''Was that the reason You didn't want
a new ball-dress?' asked Lena.
"Yes. I'd rather wear an old one than
place papa to the expense of new one
now, while money is so hard to raise" re-
piled Bertha,
"Really. Miss Bertha, you are becom-
ing qsite learned in financial affairs |
should think papa would give you the po-
sition of private counciler in his counting
room. With your wise brain to aid him.
be might sail through seas of trouble, dry
shod,'' said Lena. with sarcasm.
''Pray inform us how you came to know
so much about monetary affairs, my
said Mrs. Gregory.
l>a'sI heard papa and Mr. Ainsley talking
about business when he was here the 9TH
er evening, and he said it was almost an
impossibility to get any money at all now.'
said Bertha. ..E.~ , -e s1E
"Well, you are little goosey if you
will 40 to the grandest ball of the season
in an old, made-oyer ball-dress, and be
ridiculed by all the elite, you can do 50.
A few hundred dollars can't make much
difference any way Aud when you see
the victory, which may. perhaps, be won
over a certain attractive gentleman of our
mutual acquaintance, by your elder sis
ter's more stylish toilette, you will regret
your decision in favor of Madame Noah's
antediluvian costume" said Lena, sneer-
ingly. ea- r. sra1 .-
'.I'm perfectly Indifferent to the praise
or contempt of the fashionable world, for
there is neither heart nor sincerity in it.
And concerning the gentleman of whom
you SO strangely hint, if his heart is only
susceptible to the influence of costly APP
parel. he can pay court to it as leng as he
wishes, without once exciting my jealousy
as l want no dry-goods worshipper for my
future leige lord. So, ma chere sister,
you have the field open and free to your
self.
March on, march on, ye brave, to VIC
tory or death =" Sung Bertha, jubilant-
ly, waving her handkerchief at Lena. who
was picking up her money from the table.
where her father had laid it, and hum
ming gay, opera air. a
Bertha. what dress have you to wear?
You haven't any that you've not already
worn two OF three times, at least; and L
desire my daughter to make as elegant an
appearance as any of their friends on this
oceasion," said Mrs. Gregory.
AS Mrs. Gregory was particular
friend of Mrs. Langdon, she felt in duty
bound to honor, as much as possible, the
advent of her daughters to the fashioua-
bic world, and the attire of her own
daughters, OH tDls occasioH; was all dh-ih-
portant consideration.
'.I'm going to have Madame Leicester
make over my blue, gros grain silk, and
you know she is a noted genius for renew
ing worn ball-dresses: but if, after it is
done, it looks antideluvian, and smells
musfy, I'll do penace by staying at home" ,"
said Bertha
'.Do Just as you prefer; but think
your father would give you new one if
you wished It" said her mother.
H. ,o,x, Jroc. orI Ill