American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-03-25
LOTTIE's BALL-DREss.

A Story Of cosemporary Isterest.
"Do you think it is best for us to 90,
Lottie?''
MIR. and Mrs Clarence Mellen had
: been married scarcely more than a veal:
not long enough for the first gloss to
be worn off her wedding-ring-not 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 neglige of rose-ribbons and
dove-colored cashmere, with an open
note in her hand, and her blue eyes
sparkling with delighted animation. A
pretty picture to look upon, for Mrs.
Mellen was very pretty-a tall, velvet
checked blonde, with her hair shining
like braided sunbeams, beneath the co
quettish little breakfast-cap she wore.
Best, Clarence? Why, of course it
is best! Lulu Sparks would give her
car to get cards to Mrs. Benedict's ball. :,
al dare say, - said Mr.. Mellen, dry
~. 'But did you ever read LaFon-
taine's Fablesa''
What do You mean, ClarenceP''
"Only that it contains a story con-
corning an iron pot and crockery pot
that SWAN down stream together. OF
course, the china pot got smashed"
But fashion alters so, Clarence, you
know Now, there's lilac moire-an-
tique at Grant's-the loveliest shade
you ever saw, and positive bargain,
on account of their being only % yards
IN the pattern. 1 can get it for 1856,
and sister Helen win lend me her point
lace founces to trim it with, and
Eighty-five dollars, Lottiep And for
q moire-antique dress? Do you know,
my dear, that is almost one-tenth of nv
years salarya"
Zone must look decent once in a
while.''
He shook his head gravely.
"No, Lottie, / am sorry to seem hard
or unkind, but this is SO wild an idea
that 1 can only conclude that you have
not thought sufficiently about it your
SELF MRS. Benedict is very kind to in
vite us to this ball, but You must write
declination."
Lottie burst into tears, for the first
time since their wedding-day. Mr..
Meilen walked out of the room without
a good-by kiss.
That afternoon came up a hurried
note from the Office, as follows:
n.r,r =
bearer, my valise, with few changes of
linen and other necessaries for an absence of
eight or ten days on business of the firm.
Inclosed you will find $50 bill for the paint
era debt which ought TO have been attend-
ed to before. Take receipt. Be careful
of yourself while am gone. 1 wish could
run up to say adieu, but time presses. If
you are lonely, get one of your sisters to
come and stay with you.- AffectionateIy.
CLARENCE.
Lottie had been crying all the morn
ing, but now her eyes glittered. Anew
brightness came into her face as she
hurried hither and thither, putting up
her husbands things. And after the
messenger had gone, she looked down
at the $50 bill in her hand.
"Eight or ten days." she repeated to
herself "IT go to the ball, after all,
with Helen and her husband. III take
this money and buy the moire- ANTIQUE;
Grant willwait on me for the other s35,
am sure; and, as for the painter, Just
as likely as not he's in no hurry for his
money, and, if he is, I'll write to Uncle
Jesse to lend me $50. / was always
Uncle Jesse's favorite niece"
And this eager young woman threw
on her bonnet and shawl, and hurried
down to Grants to buy the remnant of
lilac moire-antique.
Mrs. Parkerson was at the dressmak-
er's-a plump, rosy widow, with more
money than she knew how to spend.
She had always liked young Mrs. Mel
len, and now entered with alacrity into
her plans.
ga nice place to go, my DEAR" said
she. "Once let yourself be seen at one
of Mrs. Benedict's parties, and your