The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1871-10-26
The Old Ball Dress.
BIZ I. J. PRICE.

4e rs. Langlon had sent card
| f of invitation to her dear fv,
sX,Yss hundred friends, for a granC
/ s6s13 ball at her elegant residenc,
on Fifth Avenue, in honor of the
entrance of her twin daughters in
to society.
They had just been graduated a
some fashionable, 'fnishing or es
tablishment, and their debut wa.
intended to be a very magnificent
affair.
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 harassed
and weary.
Papar cried Lena, the elder
daughter, "see our invitations to
Mrs. Langdon's great ball." show
ing him the cards she held in her
hand. "And there is the loveliest
silk at Stewards, that I want to
wear. Can I go and order it to-
morrow" she pleaded, laying her
white hand flashing with jewels, on
his arm and looking up into his
face.
Haven't you any dresses to
wear?" he asked somewhat mood
lily.
"a p enty of old ones, which
have already been worn, and will
not answer for this particular
event., she returned.
"HoW much will it costp' Mr..
Gregory asked.
"Oh, perhaps a hundred and
fifty" said Lena carelessly, with
as little idea of the value Of money
as an unfedged bird.
Her father groaned and said
something about foolish extrava-
gance;" then drawing out his pock-
ct book, slowly counted out the
required sum, and laid it on the
table.
"How much do you want, Ber-
thar he asked turning towards
her.
81 don't think I want any, papa.
I have a pretty dress, which viii
answer very nicely" she replied
You're a sensible girl, and Il
man that gets you for a wife, will
have some one to help him keep
his head above water. If the pres
sure on the money market lasts
much longer, with these demands
to meet, I shall soon be a dead
bankrupt" said Mr.. Gregory as he
left the re on.
"What is the trouble with papa?
What does make him talk so dole
fully when he is asked for a little
money! said Lena. "Any one
would think he was poor man"
at 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 re-
trenchment, or everything 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, draw
ing breath of relief
81 don't think papa is trying to
frighten us at all, :" said Bertha. Il
think his business does really per-
plex him. I've noticed, for a week,
that he has looked pale and care
worn, and has said but little. I
asked him yesterday, if he was not
well, and he said there were ankle
ties 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 a new one now, while money is
so hard to raise, replied Bertha.
"Really, Miss Bertha, you are
becoming quite learned in financial
affairs. l should think papa would |
give you the position of private
counsellor in his counting-rovm. |
With your wise brain to aid him,
he might sail through seas of I.
dry -shod,' said Lena, with
"Pray inform US how you came
% know so much about monetary
affairs, my daughter" said Mrs.
Gregory.
II heard papa and Mr.. Ainsley |
.alking about business when he was
lere the other evening, and he said t
t was almost an impossibility to
get any money at all now" said
Bertha
well, you are little goosey; if
-ou will 60 to the grandest ball OF
he season in an old, made-over
oall-dress, and he ridiculed BY all
he ells, you can do 50. a few
hundred dollars can't make much
Inference any way. .And when
ION SEQ the victory. which may.