The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-11-24
THE OLD BALL DRESS.
BY I. J. PRICE.

lhey nad just Dcen graduated at
some fashionable, finishing off" es-
tablishment, and their dbm was in
tended to be very magnificent affair.
Mrs. Gregory, husband and daugh-
ters, were on the invited list. As the
former and two latter sat in their par
lor, looking at the very elegant cards,
with the interesting subject under dis
cussion, 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 tocetiest silk at Stewards,
that / want to wear. Can | go and
order 1t tomorrow" 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 moodily.
"A plenty of old ones, which have
already been worn, and will not an-
swer tor this particular event" she re-
piled.
How much will it cost" asked
Mr.. Gregory.
"Oh, perhaps hundred and fifty"
said Lena, carelessly with rs little
idea of the value OF money as an un-
ficdged bird.
Her father groaned, and said some
thing about foolish extravaganza; and
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.
Il don't want any, papa. l have n
pretty dress, which will answer very
nicely" she replied.
You're n sensible girl, and the man
that gets you for wife will have some
one TO help him keep his head above
water. Ii the pressure on the money
market lasts much longer, with these
demands TO meet, ] shall soon be n
dead bankrupt" said AIr. Gregory, as
be left the room.
What is the trouble with papa:
what does make him talk SO doleiully
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 bust.
ness affairs won't come out just so
straight; then it is economy, and re-
trenchment, or everything will drift 10
-, 4. 80 tt.a
ness men always talk, till il has be-
come quite an old story with me-"
said Mrs. Gregory, drawing breath
of relief.
Il don't think papa is trying to
frighten us at 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 yes
terday, if he was not well, and he
said there were anxieties prcying 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 Just now, while money is so
hard TO raise replied Bertha.
Really, Miss Bertha, you are be-
coming quite learned in financial af-
fairs. l should think papa would give
you the position of private councillor
in his counting-room. With your
wise brain to aid him, he might sail
through seas of trouble, dry-shod, y
| said Lena, with sarcasm.
pray, inform us how you came to
know so much about monetary affairs,
my daughter" Mrs. Gregory said.
II heard papa and Mr.. Ainsley talk
ing about business when he was here
the other evening, and he said it was
almost an impossibility to get any
money at all now," said Bertha.
"Well, you are a little goosey; il
you will go to the grandest ball of the
season in an old made-over ball-dress,
and be ridiculed by all the elite, you
can do so. A few hundred dollars
can't make much difference any way.
And when you see the victory, which
may, perhaps, be won over certain
attractive gentleman of our mutual
acquaintance, by your elder sisters
more stylish toilet; you will regret
your decision in favor of Madame No
abs antedeluvian costume said Lena.
sneeringly.
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 to whom you so strangly
hint, if his heart is only susceptible to
the influence OF costly apparel, he can
pay court to it as long 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 yourself"
| March on, march on, ye brave, to
victory or DEATH" sung Bertha, jubil
lantly, waving her handkerchief al
Lena, who was picking up her money
from the table, where her father had
laid it, humming gay operatic air.
| Bertha what dress have You tc
wear? You haven't any. that you've
not already worn two or three times
at least; and desire my daughters te
make as elegant an appearance as any
| Of the friends on this occasion" said
Mrs. Gregory.
| As Mrs. Gregory was particular
friend of Mrs. Langdon, she felt in
| duty bound to honor, asjmuch as pos
sible, the advent of her daughters te
the fashionable world, and the attire O
her own daughters, on this particulal
occasion was an all-impoftant consid
Grafton.