The Placer herald., 1871-11-11
ME OLD BALL DRESS
BY L. X, PRICE,


tation to her 8" 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.
| They had just been graduated at some
fashionable g finishing off " establishment,
and their debut was intended to be a very
magnificent affair.
| Mrs. Georgy, husband and daughters,
were on the invited list. AS the two latter
sat in their parlor, looking at the ele-
giant cards, with the interesting subject under
deep discussion, they were broken in upon by
the entrance of Mr.. Georgy, who looked
harassed and weary.
"Papa!" cried Lena, the elder daughter,
"see our invitations to Mrs, Langdon's
grand ball, showing him the cards she held
in her hand. And there is the LovELIEsr
silk at Stewards that want to wear. Can
60 and order it tomorrow p she pleaded,
laying her white hand. flashing with jewels.
on his arm, and looking up into his face.
Haven't you any dresses to wearY 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 ?" asked Mr..
Georgy.
"Oh, perhaps hundred and fifty" said
Lena, carelessly, with as little idea Of the
value of money as an unaedged bird.
Her father groaned, and said something
about " foolish extravaganza" then drawing
out his pocket book, slowly counted out the
required sum, and laid it on the table.
How much do you want, Bertha?' he
asked, turning towards her.
"I don't think want any, papa. ! have
pretty dress, which will answer very nicely,
she replied.
You're a sensible girl, and the man that
gets you for a wife will have some one to
help him keep his head above water
If the pressure ON the money market lasts
much longer, with these demands to meet, l
shall soon be dead bankrupt" said Mr..
Gcorgy, as he left the room.
"What is the trouble with papa9 What
does make him talk so dolefully when he is
asked for a little money!" said Lena. "Any
one would think he was poor man."
4" 1t is one of his money-nervous spells; he
is always SO 'fraid that his business af-
fairs won't come out just SO straight; then,
it is economy, and retrenchment, or every
thing will DRIFT to bankruptcy. This is the
way business men always talk, till it has
become quite an old story to me" said Mrs.
Georgy, drawing a breath of relief.
81 don't think papa is trying to frighten
us at all, said Bertha. 81 think his busi-
ness does really perplex him. I've noticed,
for week, that he has looked pale and
careworn, and has said but little. l asked
him, yesterday, if he was not'well, and he
said there was anxieties preying upon his
mind"
"Was that the reason you didn't want
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 getting
quite learned in financial affairs. / should
think papa would give you the position of
private counselor in his counting-room. With
your wise brain to aid him, he might sail
through seas of trouble, dry shod," said
Lena, with sarcasm.
Pray inform us how you know so much
about monetary affairs, my daughter" said
Mrs. Georgy.
81 heard papa and Mr.. Ainsley talking
about business when he was here the other
evening, and he said it was almost an impos-
sbility to get any money at all now" said
Bertha.
"Well, you are little goosey; if you
will 60 to the grandest ball OF the season in
an old, made-over ball dress and be ridculed
by all the elite, you can do SO. A few hun
dred dollars can't make much difference any
way And when you see the victory which
may, perhaps, be won over a certain attrac-
tive gentleman of our mutual acquaintance
by our elder sisters more stylish toilette, you
will regret your decision in favor of your
antedliuvian costume, said Lena, sneeringly.
""rm 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 influences of costly apparel, he can
pay court to it as long as he wishes without
once exciting my Jealousy, as | want no dry
goods worshippers for my future leige lord.
So, ma chere sister, you have the field open
and free to yourself"
March on, march on, ye brave, to vic
tory or death!'' sung Bertha, jubilantly wav-
ing her handkerchief at her sister, who was
picking up her money from the table where
her father had laid it, and hummipg gay
opera air.
" Bertha, what dress have you to wear
You haven't any that you have not already
worn, two or three times at the least; and !
desire my daughter to MAKO as elegant an
appearance as any of her friends on this oc-
casion," said Mrs, Geargy.
As Mrs. Georgy was particular friend Of
Mrs. Langdon, she felt in duty bound to
honor, as much as possible, the advent OF
her daughters to the fashionable world, and
the attire of her own daughters, on this oc