Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-06-09
Tales and Sketehes.
"CINDERELLA."
A STORY THAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED
HERE OR HEREABOUTs.
CONTINUED FROM YEsrERnAr1

CONTINUED FROM YEsTERDAY1
"And was her wedding dress crimson
brocade, with flowers on itP"
'.NO. indeed. l remember yerv we'll.
ask Pn
"Because Nelly said she was going to
wear her grandmothers dress, and said
that was what it was"
"Oh, nonsense! That can't be. Betty
never had so fine a gown as that" And
grandma shook her head very decidedly
and began to knit.
Nelly said so, anyhow"
An = SAID grandma, suddenly, look
ing away off. as if she was thinking yery
bard. indeed. "lt seems 10 me that nv
dear mother had just such dress once,
that was spoiled by having a bowl of
punch tipped over it. And now Iremem-
Der she gave it to Betty to cut out the
good pieces for pieced quilt and Betty
must have kept it always. for love OF her.
Well! well!" And grandma wiped her
glasses and her eyes. too. and forgot all
about Grace's question and Betty Allen.
for she was thinking about the DAYS when
she was young.
Presently the door opened, as if some-
body was in great hurry. And a pretty
young lady came in and sat down in the
nearest chair, and said: "Oh, dear! oh
dear! just knew that everything would
go and be spoiled at the last minute; and
after all my trouble. Grandma, what am
to do? Kitty Lowell has got the meas
les"
Grandma looked puzzled, but didn't
answer.
Don't you understand, grandma? She
was the little girl that was going to be
Martha Washington"
Dear me, that is bad" said the old la
dy. ''But you can find some one else,
surely
"How can /? Here it is O'Clock, and
no dress made; and nobody will make
any kind OF rig before II, Tomorrow.
Oh what shall do It's too bad ?" and
Cousin Alice looked ready to cry.
Take Oracle, here" said grandma.
'Her dress is ready
Il suppose | could" said Miss Alice,
doubtfully.; "but then, You see. ] shall
have to NIL her place. and it's just about
as bad. We have got to have girl for
every boy. And then Gracie's hair isn't
long enough to put over cushion
Oracle had begun to jump about the
room and clap her hands, crying: ''Oh
yes, can be Mrs. Washington. l know
can be. I'm be just as proper! And
won't Nelly be mad, though-"when she
stopped still in the middle Of the room.
and said: "Oh! Cousin Alice, l lust
know girl that can take my place; and do
take her. Oh please do! Cause they
are SO awful poor she can't 90 unless she's
in it. And she's got lovely long hair
And you can fix her up something to wear.
All do! do! Cousin Alice !" and Grace
threw herself down by her with beseech.
ing eyes.
Cousin Alice laughed. lis she Just
your size, Oracle and who is she ?''
''She's Gertie Holmes. But oh. dear!
my dress wouldn't fit her. She's bigger
than am"
Didn't Mrs. Lowell have Katy's dress
ready P" said grandma.
mo. She never does anything YOU
know, till the last minute. But it wouldn't
have done any good if she had; because
she is too tussy TO lend anything"
We'll, V said grandma, 'never mind,
Alice. | can find something for you to
make dress of, and YOU find this little
girl. And she can be Mrs. Washington.
if she is pretty enough
'Oh. no. no. want to be-" said
Grace. ''Let me take my place." But,
as she spoke, the thought went through
her head: "Gertie would like to be Mrs.
Washington, too; and she is never in any,
thing. and often am. But then"-And she
stood thinking about it, while tie ladies
were busy talking together 1t was
real struggle. She wanted to take Katy's
place, and be the first and the most looked
at in the procession; and she was sure
Cousin Alice would let her. if she thought
she cared to be very much. But how
pleased Gertie would be; and it would be
such surprise to go and tell her!
Would it be more pleasure to give up her
own way. and make Gertie very happy,
or wouldn't Gelte be Just as happy to
take her place? But presently the dear
little girl thought; ''rll make her Just as
happy AS | can. if can make her happy
at ALL" And she cried out "Oh Cousin
Alice, Gertie had better be Mrs Washing.
ton; cause her hairs the best, and it
will be such II good time for her.
Miss Alice guessed what had been go-
ing on in the little heart, and kissed her,
saying: "Well. dearie, Wen go and find
her. Is i, far?"
"Oh. nor said Grace. "Only to Will
.iams's block
"Ill go. too, said grandma. ~ want
a walk"
1t was nearly dark when they Knocked
at the side door in the basement OF the
block. There was no light inside. not
even a flicker of freight; and there was
such rattling OF the stove that nobody
heard the knock. and so they walked in.
By the dim light they saw baby tied
in his chair, and little girl, who said,
Just as they went in: There. turned
it over; and now I'll make fire."
"Gertie," said Grace, "here's my grand
ma and my Cousin Alice; and they want
you to be in the procession, to morrow,
and be Mrs. Washington, and they are
going to make you dress and every
thing. VIII youp' And Grace stopped
for breath. Gertie dropped the stove-han-
die, but said never a word. She was too
astonished 10 speak.
Just then voice at the door said: II
beg your pardon, there seems to be no
light here. l will get one in minute"
And then soon Mrs. Holmes lit the lamp,
and they could all see each other.