The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-01-22
L0TTIE'S BALL DRESS.

"Do you think it is lest for US to go,
Lotte?"
Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence MeIlen had been
married scarcely more than year-not long
enough for the first gloss to be worn of her
weddmg-ring-no long enough to forget the
enchanted gold shine Of the honeymoon; (;
and now, upon this clear December morning,
the young wife sat at the breakfast table, in
a most becoming neglge Of rose-ribbons and
doye-colored cashmere, with an open note in
her hand, and her blue eyes sparkling with de-
lighted animation. y pretty picture to look
upon, for Mrs. Mellen was very prety-a
tall, velyet-cheeked blonde, with her hair
shining like braided sunbcams, beneath the
coqucttish little brcakiast-cap she wore.
"Best Clarence? Why, of course, it is
best Lulu Sparkes would give her ears to
get cards to MIS-. Benedict's ball.
Il dare say" said Mr. Mellen. dryly.
'But did you ever read La Fontaine's
Fables ?'
"What do you mean, Clare?'
''Only that it contains a story concerning
an iron pot and a crockery pot, that swan
down stream together. OF course the china
pot got snashcd.'
81 don't see what your ridiculous old
fables have to do with me"
"a great deal, my love Mr.. Benedict is
rich banker am only confidential clerk,
in his brothers employ. Mr.. Benedict has
a thousand dollars, probably, where | have
one. Our spheres ieapart. Is it best then,
for us to compete with them in any one re-
pect?'
Because we attend ball at their house,
we needn't necessarily compete with them,
pouted the young wife, beginning to pull al
the fringe OF her breaklast-nopkinS. "Of
course, ii they invite MS, it is only natural t.
suppose thar they want us to come"
IL presume, my dear, we are invited ou
of compliment to Mr.. Bcncdct's brother
who Is kind enough to think iavorab,y OF
your humble servant"
"And it would be very rude not to 60"
81 don't think regrets would be taken il
bad part, Charlotte Besides, what Aay
you to wear that would compare with tn
toilets OF Mrs. Bcutly Bcnedict's Fashionable
fricnds?'
''Tnats just what | was going to speal
about, yaid Mrs Mcllen. Il really di
need new silk dress. That pea-green q lfui
is actually beginning to look shabby, an
the black silk had when we were marie
is positively old-fashioned by this time.
sit i> only thirteen months, Lotte'
"But fashions alter SO, Clarence, 20
know. Now there's lilac more antiqu
at an.s-the loyclcst shade you ever saw
and positive bargain, on account Of ther
being only twenty-five yards in the pattern
L can get it for eighty-fve dollars, and sistt
Helen will lend me her point-laco aouncC
to trim it with, and
"Eighty-fye dollars, Lottie And for
moire antique dress Do you know, m
dear, that that is almost tenth Of my year
salary?''
'Onc must look decent, once in a way, >
lie shook his head gyavely.
''No, Lottie. l am sorry to seem hard {
unkind, but this is so wild an idea that Gu
only conclude you have not thought suf
ciently about it yourself. Mrs. Benedict
very kind to invite us to this ball, but yc
must write a declnation."
Charlotte burst into tears, and for the fir
time since their wedding-day, Mr.. Nell,
stalked out Of the room without good-b,
kiss.
That afternoon came up hurried no
frosa his office, as follows:
"DARLNo LorTE; Please send, by Il
bearer, my yalise, with few changes {
linen and other necessaries, for an absen
OF eight OF ten days on business for the fir1
Iuclosed you will find a fifty-dollar bill (
the painter-a debt which ought to have be-
attended to before. Take receipt.
careful Of yourself while am gone. wi
/ could have run up to say adieu, but til
presses. If you are lonely, get one Of 20
sisters 70 come and stay with you.
Aiiectionateiy, CLARENCE f"
Iottie had been crying all the mornin
but now her eyes glittered. A new brigl
ness came into her face, as she hurri
hither and thither, putting up her HUSBAND
things. And after the messenger was gor
she looked down at the dfty-dollar bill in
hand
Eight OF ten days she repeated to h
self. SIN 60 to the ball, alter all, W
Helen and her husband. III take I
money and bny the moire antique. Gn
will trust me for the other thirty-fiye,
sure and as for the painter, just as lik
as not he's in no hurry for his money, a
if he IS, III write to Uncle Jesse to lend
fifty dollars. was always uncle Jess
fayorite niece"
And this eager young woman threw
her bonnet and shawl, and hurried down
Grants to buy the remnant of lilac mo
antique.
"Oh, certainly certainly Mr.. CIR
was in no hurry At all for the money.