South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-10-13
The Old Ball-Dress.
BY J. I. PRICE.

nef XVIII daughters into society
They had just been graduated at some
fashionable, finishing off, establishment,
and their debut was intended to be 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 harrassed and weary.
Papa ! cried Lena, the elder daughter,
see our invitations to Mrs. Lanedon' s
great ball, showing him the cards she
held IN her hand. 'And there is the lore
tteSt 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 in-
to his face.
Haven'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?' Mr.. Gregory
asked.
ooh, perhaps hundred aud ffty,'
said Lena, carelessly, with as little idea
of the value of money as an unfedged
| bird
Her father groaned, aud said something
about foolish extravaganza ); then drawing
out his pocket-book, slowly counting out
the required sum, and laid it on the table.
How much do you want Bertha?' he ask
| ed, turning to her.
Il dom think | want any, papa have
pretty dress which will answer very nice
ly,' she replied.
You're sensible girl, and the man
that gets you for 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
shall soon be 4 dead bankrupt said Mr.
| Gregory, as he left the room.
What is the trouble with papa? What
does make him talk SO dolefulIy when he
is asked for little money? said Lena.
/ ANY one would think be was poor man
IL Is one Of his monoy-ncrvous spells :;
/ he IS always so afraid his business affairs
won't come out just so straight; then it is
economy, and retrenchment, 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 Gre
CORY, drawing breath of relief
q don't think papa is trying to Brighten
US all, said Bertha. i think his business
does really perplex him. I've noticed, for
\ week, that he has looked pole and care
worn, aud has said but little. asked him,
yesterday, if he was not well, and be said
there were anxietes preying upon his mind
WAS that the reason you didn't want a
new ball-dress p asked Lena.
yes. I'd rather wear on old one than
place papa to the expense of new one
now, while money is 80 hard to raise re-
piled Bertha.
Really, Miss Bertha, you are becoming
quite learned in financial affairs | should
think papa would give you the pos ition of
private councillor 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 came to know
50 much about monetary affairs, my daugh-
ter said Mrs Gregory.
i heard papa and Mr.. Aiusly talking a.
bout business when he was here the other
evening, and he said it was almost an impos-
sibility to get any money at all now said
Bertha
Well, you are a little goosey if you
will 90 to The grandcst ball Of the season
in IN old, made-oyer ball-dress, and be rid
culed by all tho elite, you can do so. A
few hundred dollars can't mako much diff.
ference any way. And when you see the
victory, which may, perhaps, be won over
certain attractive gentleman Of our mu-
tual acquaintance, by your elder sister
more stylish toilette, you will regret your
decision in favor Of Madame Noah's ante
dlluvian costume said Lena, snceriuplv.
I'm perfectly Indifferent 10 the praise
or contempt of the fashionable world, for
thcro is neither heart nor sincerity in it.
Aud concerning the gentleman Of whom
you SD strangely hint, if bis heart is only
susceptible 20 the influence Of costly ap-
para', he can pay court to it as long as he
wishes, without once exciting my Jealousy,
as ] want no dry goods worshiper for my
future loige lord So ma chcro sister.
you have the field open and free to your
self
March on, march on, ye brave, 10 victo-
~ or death (" sung Bertha, iubilantly,
waving her handkerchief at Lena, who was
picking mp her money from the table, whore
her father had laid 10, and hummiug a gay.
opera air.
Bertha what dress have you to wear
You haven't any that you've not already
worn two or three times, at least and dc.
sire my daughter to make rs elegant an ap-
Pcarauco as any Of their friends on this oc-
casiou, said Mrs. Gregory.
As Mrs. Gregory Was particular friend