Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-06-10
NO. 1877.
"CINDERELLA."
A STORY THAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED
HERE OR HEREABOUTs.
CONTINUED FROM YEsrERDAY.1

| CONTINUED FROM YEsrERDAY1
But grandma was wrong and right, too !;
for the shoes were just little too large
for Gertie's slender little foot. but Grace
tugged at one in vain. It wouldn't 90
over the heel. So the old lady felt com.
forted for she had been so vain OF her
pretty feet, once upon time. The dear
grandma! And they were pictures to look
at. as grandma said.
And when Gen. Washington came, how
grand he was i'm black velvet knee
breeches. and ruffies,l and silk stockings.
and shoes with such buckles, and yellow
waistcoat, and blue coat, and cooked
hat. and wig with cue behind 1t was
enough to make one stare.
| Then came the procession First the
band, and then the ''Guards"-real guards,
with "bagonets.' as Herbert, Grace's lit
tie brother, said; and then the carriages,
with four horses. holding Gen. and Mrs
Washington, and Vice-President and Mrs.
Adams. When the carriage drove up to
the Kings door, Nelly Carter, who was
Mrs. Adams, was so amazed that she for
got to say anything; and when Mrs.
Washington turned out TO be Gertie
Holmes she felt so angry that she went
into fit of su.ks, which lasted long
time and had very bad results. But Harry
Low was Gen. Washington, and SO kind,
and the day was so bright. and the people
in the streets looked so pleased. that Ger
tie felt as grand as queen and great
deal happier, | am sure. She felt so very
happy that, when they were all seated on
the platform, covered with bunting and
flags, and such a lot of people In the hall.
she whispered to Nelly, who sat beside
her: IL told mother. last night, felt like
Cinderella. And l feel more like her than
ever now"
I'm sorry to say it-but must, because
it is true-that among those children, who
looked SO pretty in their lovely dresses.
there were some who were very i'll ma
tured, and who had never found out, Just
because they had never tried it, how much
happier everybody feels who puts out OF
their heart their desire to say something
unkind, and puts in its place some
thing gentle and sweet and loving So
when Nelly whispered to one of the other
girls, ''She says she feels like Cinderella,
and she is one, too" she was only too
glad to pass along the unkind whisper;
and when they began to walk about the
stage, Gertie began to feel uncomfortable.
for she heard so many speeches that hurt
her feelings. True. one little girl said
"Oh! Gertie, how nice you look" But
then another said: Don't you feel fine
now? Never mins, miss, you won't look
so fine, Tomorrow And another said:
ooh Miss Cinderella, how do you feel.
out of the cindcrs P'
| But sCch unkind speeches we all know
about. 1t isn't what is said exactly, but
the way it is said; so won't tell any more.
Gertie began to wish she hadn't been
Mrs. Washington at all, and presently.
when she was standing by Gen. Washing
ton, receiving the little girls and boys who
wished to be presented, she felt as il she
should burst right out crying But she
kept the tears back bravely all the after
noon; and when Harry was by her side il
was easier to try not 10 mind Nelly and
her speeches, and "a still less her black
looks, Tor Harry was such nice boy and
always so kind to the girls that none Of
them liked to squabb!e when he was near
them. But when he went off twice To
walk about the hall aid sell some pictures.
Gertie felt very unhappy indeed. Nellie
acted SO hateiully, just rs If Gertie had in
jured her in some way and when she
tried to speak pleasantly to her she turned
|
just before teatime came, the children
were all walking about to rest themselves
for few minutes, and Gertie was behind
one of the curtains; and she couldn't
help letting two big tears drop, splash
them off, though, and hoped nobody saw
But Harry Low did. and he said Now
who has been plaguing you, Gei tie? 1
| knoW itfs thar Cartpr Uirl Sha ha lonk
ready to bite, all the afternoon. III tell
Mrs. Gay. It's too bad!' and he started
off. But Gerlie caught him by his coat
tails.
"Oh don't don't. please" she cried.
"Nelly's mad. guess. cause she wanted
to be Mrs. Washington. And oh. dear!
| wish she had been"
Jus. then Nellie appeared from the
| other side of the curtain, looking very
angry. "Tattletale! haven't done QUE
thing TO you"
"She isn't a tattletale," said Harry, an
griy. but I'll tell, it Won don't stop"
Just then some one called Harry To help
pass the busCuit, and he ran away, saying:
Now you les her alone. Will you?
! Nov you've gone and set Harry Low
against me. should think you'd be
ashamed" and Nellie came close to her
and looked So angry that { rite started
back, and then got away as fast as he
could, to try and md Oracle. Somebody
said she was in The dressing-room, aud
she went there 1t was just by the side
OF the platform. and nobody noticed her
as she slipped quietly down the steps.
Oracle wasn't there. and as she turned
to 90 out. after looking round, she heard
Just out side Nellie Carter's voice. As
she didn't want to meet her. she looked
around for some place to hide. But there
seemed to be no place at all, and she was
just lifting up heap of mappings. think
ing to crawl under them, when she spied
little door. She knew it led on to the
tower stairs; and, holding shawl she
had in her hands, she opened it softly and
sat down on a step. She WAS just in
time. The girls came in and stayed some
time; and when they went out they stood
just outside the door, so she didn't dare
to stir from the stairs. She wasn't really
afraid of them, but thought she would
keep out of the way. AT first, she he Z.
4