Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-10-25

4
several weeks, and the intervening space
was spent by Mrs. Tenant in preparing
gifts suitable for the occasion. They were
finished at last, and nicely packed in O
pasteboard box. Six irOning-holders, a
pair OF calico aprons, long and wide, a dish.
cloth netted of tidy-cOtton, cabbage-net
and pair of blue wooden stockings for
the bridegroom; all the work of her own
hands. She then ordered the boy Jen-
nings to put the old white mare to the
buggy and drive her over to Barnstable
III was only twenty miles across country.
and twice as far by rail besides she liked
10 see the prospect when she travelled, and
take things easy, so she said.
In due time, therefore, the ancient buggy
stopped in front of Mr.. Winn's house, and
Mrs. Tenant alighted therefrom with her
arms full of huckleberry branches covered
with ripe fruit, which she had gathered by
the way, privilege she could not have
bad in a railroad car, you perceive. Then
a bald-headed gentleman came out to meet
her, whom she addressed as Brother
Richard" and conducted her to the door.
where she was Immediately taken posses
sion OF by the ladies of the household, and
borne away to some far-off, upper region.
so you are going to be married. Katy 90
said Mrs. Tenant, reappearing an hour or
Two afterward with the pasteboard box
IN her hand. 1t doesn't seem possible,
but then time flies. Here are few little
notions l brought you that | thought
would come handy to set up housekeeping
with"
90, thank you, aunty!" said Katy.
| opening the box and darling a reprOving
glance at Minnie and Hattie, her younger
sisters, who had begun giggling as soon
as they saw the contents. 1t was very
kind OF you to take so much trouble for
us''
Bnt shrewd Mrs. Tenant saw that
something was amiss, notwithstanding the
courtesy of Kate's words. although she
| could not make out what it was until she
was shown to the room where the we'd
ding-presents were exhibited. There were
| tables covered with silver and porcelain.
with jewels and necklaces. OF half the ar
| ticles she did not even know the use. She
only saw that everything was very hand
some and must have been very expensive.
swell, this beats all ~ said she, looking
around her in bewildered amazement. Il
never saw so many fine things together,
except in a jewelers. shop. No wonder the
children laughed at my present." laughing
herself, good-naturedly.
''It will remind us of the giver, and that's
the best part of any present." said Katy,
kindly.
"Yes, and it will remind you too, that
life has duties as well as pleasures we
never must forget that, you know. But
what is this?' pointing to three chairs
over which hung a mass of white illusion.
which looked as If a summer breeze might
watt it upward among its sister clouds.
"That is my wedding-dress," said Katy.
''Um; it doesn't look very durable; I'm
afraid it won't wash"
''I'm afraid not" said Katy, with
merry little laugh; ''but one doesn't ex-
pect ones wedding-lress to be useful"
II don't know about that" said Mrs.
Tenant. my wedding-dress was puce-
colored silk. | wore it for my best seven
years. and then turned it and wore it seven
years more. After that l made it into
mantle which wore to meeting four years.
and then made it into an apron. After il
had done good service as an apron, gave
it to the young folks that were getting up
a charity fair, and the needle-bOOks and
pincushions they made Of it sold for five.
dollars and seventy-five cents. So there's
one wedding-dress that was useful. But
you've got silk dress | suppose?" asked
Mrs. Tenant, with secret intention of
presenting her one if she had not.
so, yes. several" said Katy. "How do
you like that? throwing across the bed
heavy black silk, with trimmings impossi-
BILE to describe.
''It's splendid piece" said Mrs. Ten
nant, taking it between her thumb and
finger, ''and there's good deal of it. 1t
cost something ! guess?'
"Only hundred and twenty-five dollars
all made," said Katy. "You see we had
dressmaker come to the house. which
was great piece Of economy. / quite
pride myself on it. If l had had my
things made in Boston, at fashionable
place, they would have cost ever so much
more"
swell, black silk is always handy, and
approve of getting a good thing when
you buy; SO don't know as should call
it extravagant. And what is this?''
''That's my Nile green-that was more
lin, but this pearl-colored silk is my favor
lite. The lace on it is just lovely!"
But where are your common gowns?
You must have something to put on morn
ingsw
"Yes, 1 have some lovely negliges.
This white cashmere trimmed with fleece
think is the prettiest."
"Yes, it is pretty, certainly, but it isn't
just the thing for kitchen-wOrk, is it?'
81 don't expect to stay in the Kitchen"
said Katy, much amused; ''of course we
shall keep servants"
"That alters the case. We began life
differently, John and l. We were poor
and couldn't afford to keep help, but we
were happy, notwithstanding; and Mrs.
Tenant sighed, as we are all apt to do at
the remembrance of past happiness.
$50 / should be happy with Charley,
living just as you did," said Katy. "He's
the dearest fellow i'm the world. Wouldn't
give him up for any amount of pretty
things; but then if can have him and the
pretty things too, why so much the bet
ter
"Very true" said Aunt Tenant.
That evening arrived the bridegroom; a
handsome young gentleman got up in the
best style of the Broadway tailor. Proba-
bly, he had never seen a pair of blue yarn
stockings before, any more than he had
seen such woman as Mrs. Tenant; but
as he looked into her good, sensible face,
he saw something that went straight to his