Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-06-09
fCoutinued from first page.I

Grandma said: 1--WE come. mad am, to
borrow your little girl for the show, to-
morrow. May she go?"
..Why.n said Mrs. Holmes, II
haven't any objection, and l know she
would be very glad to. But l am afraid
| must say no, because / have no dress
for her to wear, and CALI afford to get
any"
'.Oh !" cried Grace, that's all right.
Mrs. Holmes. Grandma is going to make
her one
The ladies looked at each other, and
Mrs. King explained: at must be an old
fashioned costume, you know, and hap.
pen to have plenty of old things. And
must tell you that we want your little
girl to take the place of one who has been
taken i'll. Would you like to 60. dear ?,
she said to Gertie, who by this time stood
close beside her.
"Oh, yes, ma'am," said Gertie, long
ing to do something to show how glad
she was.
Presently they all sat down and began
to talk, and grandma asked Gertie her
name.
Gertrude Peyton Holmes
..And where did YOU ge! that name?"
cit was nv mothers" said Mrs. Holmes.
.Was your mother one OF the Virginia
PeytonsP
YES" said Mrs. Holmes, looking sur
prised.
Then. believe knew her once, years
ago." said grandma. And then 1t all
came out,-been old friends; and of how
Gertie's father and mother had come from
South Carolina. because the war had made
them so poor; and how MIR. Holmes had
gone to Kentucky to see about lawsuit,
and had been obliged, in order to go, to
leave his wife and little children with very
little money.
Mrs. King said "Oh if had only
known Of you before How sorry am y
"Yes," said Mrs. Holmes between
laughing and crying. 81 needed friends so
much. And havn't heard from my hus-
band for q week, and feel so worried.
And my money was all gone, and I've
been sewing for Mrs. Carter"
..Well, well, said grandma, as she bus
tied away, ''that's all right now. And
you'll let US have Gertie; won't you ?"
"Oh! yes, indeed" So they took home
one of Gertie's dresses for a measure, and
Mrs. Holmes promised she should be there
in the morning. And they went away,
after long private talk between the little
girls in the entry, that had good deal of
laughing in it.
When they had gone, Gertie sat down
in chair, and said ''Mother, do you
want to know what / feel like ?'
EYES," said her mother.
Well, feel like Cinderella, exactly /
was just as cross as could be when they
came l was thinking about how l want
ed to go, and forgot the fire and it went
out. And knew you would be SO sorry.
And Just as was. turning over the CRATE
the door opened, and in came-just like
the story-an old lady, and invited me to
the ball. Only lots better. Dear dear
Isn't it funny, the way things turn out ?"
"Very funny" said her mother; land
in this case very nice. But come, let us
have some coffee"
II don't want a mitc )" said Ger.ie. But
she ate good deal of bread and butter.
for little girl that wasn't hungry. The
next morning. she was up at Grace's
bright and early; and then such tryings
on as there were Of such lovely dress
A gray brocade under-skirt and pink
satin over-dress. with a pretty white lace
handkerchief over the shoulders and pref
ty lace rffiues around her elbows. Then
Miss Alice combed her hair over high
cushion. and put in a comb; and then
made braid OF the curls, and powdered
it all over with some powder that smelled
'.iust like flowers" Gertie said. And
finally she was dressed all but her shoes.
.sBless me % cried Cousin Alice, "what
shall we dop" I'm afraid her boots will
show"
"Let me see," said grandma. "there
used to be slippers to match that brocade."
So she hunted about, and down in the
bottom of an old chest she found them,
and with them such lovely old fan.
There" said the old lady, as she pulled
out the bows, II am afraid Gerte can't
wear them the II surely be too small"
Mercy, grandma" said Miss Alice,
how old were you when you wore them p
Seventeen, my dear. But ah! even
then no girl of ten could wear my shoes,
and girls have bigger feet. nowadays"
CONTINUED TOMORROW