The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-12-05

On n certain day in the memories of
the children who went to Miss Bixby's
school in Briarville, about twenty years
ago, something happened which threw
every body into little furry of excite
ment. Matte DinsmOre invited the
whole school boys and girls, to a May
party. The notes were all written on
guld-edge paper, in delicate hand,
ami addressed 10 bliss or Master, rs the
case might be, and, of course, there
was not child who did not at once
feel perfectly certain that she wanted
to 20. Grown people are not always
glad when they are asked to attend
PARTY, but children never have any
1oubt OIL the subject.
One little girl only walked home
very soberly indeed. Her first feeling
when she opened her note was one OF
delight, for May party would be an
event in her life. Margie Dean had
very few pleasures. She lived with
her mother in a bit of house at the
farihest end of the Village, and though
her mother was not a widow, she was
poorer than many on whom that
shadowy lot has fallen, for Margie's
father, once-as few in town remem-
bered-a brilliant scholar and pol
ished gentleman, had given himself
over to drink, and now he Was a for
lorn wreck of a man, whom some pitied
and many despised. His wife took in
sewing, and late and carly she might
be seen at her window, stitching away,
and wearing out her eyes over fine en-
broidery and ruffiing, Little Margie
was old enough to know why her home
WAS so sad and why she could not have
many things which her schoolmates
had. She meant to study very bard,
and become a teacher when she was
old enough, and then she hoped her
mother might have an easier life.
At first, as l said, she was perfectly
charmed with her invitation; but when
at recess the girls began TO talk of the
important question of "What shall we
wear ?" her heart sank within her.
~" said Luly Breeze, twill have
my new pink issue by next " ednes-
day and I'll ask mamma to let me
wear it. Its just as sweet as can be,
with five tucks and a flounce; my aunt
Miranda bought it for me in New
York" .... ,-.-5 ;
"Well." replied Minnie Gray, 81
don't think there's anything to com.
pare with pure white for May party.
Mamma says little girl is always
properly dressed if she is in white; and
that is what | shall wear, of course.
Everything at Matte Dinsmore':
house is so elegant" chimed in a third
little voice. "Her aunt May. from
Philadelphia, will be there, too, and
she knows how things ought to bt
done. l wonder Matte didn't coax
her to have the party in the evening.
"a party in the evening! o. no
that wouldn't be nice, cried Elsie Lee
who was Mattie's cousin. 1--WE are t.
have tent in the garden. and a pole
and flowers, and much pleasanteI
time than we could have if we did no.
have daylight; besides Mamie Prescott
| don't want TO be rude, but Aun
May is my auntie, too, and thinl
she's splendid; and yet my Aunt Glars
and mamma could have done every
thing just as well if she had not CONF
81 beg your pardon, Elsie" sai'
Mamie, who saw that she had not beer
very polite in her remark.
Two little girls had taken no part il
this conversation. One was Matte
herself, who was absorbed in copying
her composition at the other end o
the school-room; the other was Margi'
Dean, who was putting her desk in or
der, and whose face was quite out o
sight behind its lid. 1t is well that i
was so, for her eyes were full of tears
and she did not want any one to sus
pect it.
r. Margie had just two dresses in tn