The Republican journal., 1873-03-20
A Fair Exchange no Robbery.

A Fair Exchange no Robbery.
so YOU are going to stay with me a
whole month, You darling ?" and Maddy
Fletcher gave her friend a rapturous hug,
after the manner of young ladies but re-
Gently emerged from boarding school.
"A whole month"; replied the darling,
returning the embrace with equal fervor.
"oh, how Jolly it is that you are going
TO stay with me a month";
$50 it is. splendid; but | thought |
never should get off. First, Kitty must
needs be sick for two whole weeks; then,
just rs | was going to write and set the
daY. Uncle Jacob arrived and mamma
could not spare me. 1t takes the whole
family to entertain Uncle Jacob, and it is
hard work, too, but he gave me twenty
dollars when he went away, so | won't
say anything.'
"Twenty dollars" exclaimed Maddy,
''why, he's worth millions. isn't he ?"
Yes. suppose So" answered Ellie,
Struggling her shoulders; 'however, if
found mv clothes growing on bushes as
Won do, could afford to depise twenty
dollars. As it is, am only too thankful
20 Get it. 1t bought my travelling dress -
| she added, gIancing down complacently
or her pretty gray roplin, land could
not have come without it."
''WplI. no matter about that so YOU are
here. | mean you shall have good time.
What do Won think of 4 sociable next
Thursday ni@h-St Valentines day, YOU
know. Just Il little dance-three or four
steps, perhaps Ever so many of the girls
are in town, and my cousin Tom is COM
,,,I tro p,, lo
did YOU hear that Fanny Archer is engag-
ed ~ and the girls instantly dropped into
It delightful schoolgirl gossip, only inter
IHpted by the ringing of the dinnerbel.
The first few days of Ellie Brands visit
passed away pleasantly, and she wrote
home glowing letters to her mother and
sister, who had unsellishly deprived
themselves Of many II luxury, that the
hard-worked little school mistress might
have the full enjoyment of her vacation
Yes. She was a country school-mistress,
though she had left school herself less
than six months before
"Now Ellie, about st. Valentines day, ="
said MaddY one morning. several days be-
fore that event'ul Thursday appointed for
the party. "What are you going to wear?"
"llAving seen me four or five times al
ready in my one party dress,' replied
Ellie, smiling. II am convinced you know
rs we'll as L.
s. Now Ellie, dear, that pearl-colored
sllk is really very pretty, but you have
worn it - many times. II you could only
afford a new one--a simple tarletan, or
something equally inexpensive" suggest
ed Miss Fletcher doubtfullv.
Cant be done, Maddy," responded
Ellie, stoutly; 81 have thought it over,
and Il new evening dress would run away
with not only my gloves and boots, which
| positively must have, but with mammals
waterproof cloak which | have set my
heart on carrying home to her."
Swell, | suppose YOU know best" re-
pli"d Maddv, relinquishing the idea with
Il sigh, 'but do want you to look your
prcttlcsi. especially rs cousin Tom will be
here"
Il me = to look my prettest, though l
don't suppose Mr.. Fletcher will be par
ticularly affected by my prettiness," an
Swered Ellie, with light laugh, though
the color mounted to her forehead as she
spoke "Unless he is more observing in
matters OF dress than most gentlemen,
there is no telling but he might even pre-
fer me in this black alpaca"
Il am not sure but he really would"
Maddy thought, rs she noticed the slight
form set OF to advantage by the close
tIttin" plain dress, and the flushed cheeks
inst shaded by The brown curls which in
the evening would put up' in an eabor-
ate chi%non. ''You look nice enough in
any thing, Ellie" she said putting her
thoughts into words; ''but now have an
idea. You have n white muslin dress,
haven't you ?"
Eyes. brought it for some utterly un-
known reason; but that is useless, for it
has only one skirt
II know that, my dear; but you re-
member my pink silk ? 1t is feartully
SoiIed, but am almost sure that from the
two skirts you can get out enough to
make a good clean under skirt, and with
your white muslin as an overdress, it will
u" IS pretty 4 costume as you could wish"
'Naptal," cried Ellie, warming at once
into enthusiasm; land furnishing up an
old thing is so much more in my line
than making up new material. Now,
Maddy, Von will see what an amount of
@e"ius will put into this dress )" and the
two girls Immediately plunged into the
mysteries OF ripping, cutting and plan
nin@. which had been hitherto unknown
to Maddy, ut least.
"A letter Tor YOU, Miss Brand" an
nonnced Maddy, rushing into the sewing
room the next morning, where Ellie sat
surrounded by shreds of silk and patches
of muslin. "From some loving youth, I
should imagine from the hand writing,''
she added, inspecting it closely.
"GiVe II to me, You teasing girl said
Ellie, snatchng it from her; ''it is from
mamma, and she is better than any loving
youth" and she eagerly commenced read
inc it. But Us she did so her couptenance
fell.
"What is it, dear?" asked MILDLY anxi-
onsly. "She doesn't want you to come
home. does she 90
'What shall do, Maddy ?" exclaimed
Ellie, in distress. II am nearly wild.
They have taken my school away from
me, and how are we to live ?'
''It is a burning shame - cried Maddy
with indignant sympathy. = Why did
they do it ?''
''They said was too Young" answered
the poor little school-mistress, bursting in
to a fit of weeping which was so unusual
as TO alarm her friend.
81 am glad of it," said MILDLY, decided
ly; ''you are too young to be working in
that style. You ought to be having a
real good time instead"
II don't mind the working bit,"
sohbed Ellie; "but if | can't work, and
mamma feeble, and Kitty so young and
slill ut school, what are we to do ?" and
the sobs broke out afresh
'Get married." answered Maddy. brief-
ly.
Ellie smiled through her tears. eff l
could only marry you, you dear little COM
torfer - she answered, hugging her friend
warmly, with her cheerfulness already re-