Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-11-03
SELECTED STORY
.->o~c~~r~~---7----
THE OLD BALL DRESS.
BY ]. I. PRICE

| BY J. I. PRICE.
Mrs. Langdon had sent out cards Of In
vitation 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.
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. Langdon's great
ball, showing him the cards she held in her
hand. And there is the lovelaest silk at
Stewards, that I want to wear. Can | 60
and order it tomorrow 2 she pleaded, lay
ing her white hand, flashing with jewels, on
his arm, and looking up into his face.
Haven't you any dresses to wear I! he
asked, somewhat modify
"A plenty Of old ones, which have al
ready been worn, and will not answer for
| this particular event. she returned.
Chow much will it cost I? Mr.. Gregory
asked.
.Oh, perhaps hundred and ffty,' said
Lena, carelessly, with as little idea of the
value of money as an unAeoged bird.
Her father groaned and said something
about "foolish extravaganza then draw
Ii ing out his pockct-book, slowly counting
out the required sum, and laid 1t on the
table.
| How much do you want Bertha 2 he
asked, turning to her.
I don't think want any, papa, l 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 Of the money market lasts much
longer, with these demands to meet, l shall
soon be dead bankrupt, said Mr. Gregory,
as he left the room.
What is the trouble with papa W? What
does make him talk so dolefully when he
is asked for little money ? said Lena
ANY one would think he was poor man.
1t is one of his homogeneous spells ;
he is always so afraid his business affairs
won't come out just so straight then it is
economy, and retrencbment, or everything
will drift to bankruptcy That is the way
business men always talk, till it has be.
come quite an old story with me, said Mrs.
Gregory, drawing breath Of relief.
I 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 pale and care
worn, and has said but little. asked him,
yesterday, if he was not we'll, and he said
there were anxieties preying upon his mind
WAS that the reason you didn't want a
new bal!.dress 2 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. replied
Bertha.
Really Miss Bertha, you are becoming
quite learned in financial affairs. | should
think papa would give you the position OIL
private councillor in his counting room
With your wise brain to aid him, ne 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 daugh
ter said Mrs. Gregory.
L heard papa and Mr.. Ainsly talking
about business when he was here the other
evening, and he said it was almost an i'm
possibility to get any money at all now, said
Bertha.
We'll, you are a little goosey; if you
will 20 to the grandest ball of the season
in an old, made-over ball-dress, and be rid
iculcd by all the elite, you can do SO. a
few hundred dollars can't make much diff
ference any way. And when you see the
victory, which may, perhaps, be won ove'
| a certain attractive gentleman of our mu
tual acquaintance, by your elder sisters
more stylish toilette, you will regret YOU
decision in favor of Madame Noah's ante
diluvian costume said Lena, sneeringly.
Pm perfectly Indifferent to the praise OF
contempt of the fashionable world, for there
is neither hearts nor sincerity in it Ane
concerning the gentleman of whom you 81
strangely hint, if his heart is only susceptl
bic to the influence of costly apparel, hi
can pay court to it as long as he wishes
without once exciting my jealousy, as
want no dry goods vorshiper for my f4tur
liege lord. So, ma chere sister, your hav
the field open and free to yourself
March on, march on, ye h'ave, to vlcto
ry or death = sung Bertha, jubilantly, waV
ing her handkerchief at Lena, who va
picking up her money from the table, wher
her father had laid it, and cumming gay
opera air.
Bertha what dress have you to wear ?
You haven't any that you've not alread
: worn two or three times, at least ; and
desire my daughters to make as elegant a
appearance as any of their friends on til
OCCASION said Mrs. Gregory.
AS Mrs. Gregory was particular frien
of Mrs, Langdon, she felt in duty bound
y honor, as much as possible the advent
1t her daughters to the fashionable world, an
the attire of her own daughters on tn
s. occasion, was an all-important considers
" ton.
/. 10. ao;,, IL bo1o M,J.xoo T,eionst