The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-11-23
Select Story.
ONLY A FARMER.

Quite an interested aud anxious group
had gathered in Mrs. Wilsons's dressing
room, one pleasant morning IN June. 1t
consisted Of Mrs Wilson, and her three
unmarried daughters, and the subject
under such animated and anxious discus
sion was how and where they should open
their usual summer campaign.
Il had always been an interesting sub
ject, aud, to the maternal element, attend
ed with considerable anxiety, but never
such matter Of perplexity, almost amount
ing to despair, as now.
The contents Of the various wardrobes
had been laid out aud examined; silks and
muslius, cambrics and lawns, sufficient, it
would seem, for dozen; and yet the two
elder Misses Wilson declared with tears in
their eyes, ''that they had nothing, ALSO
lutely nothing, ft to wear"
Il is noteworthy with what surprising
unanimity the two sisters agreed on this
point, who so seldom agreed on any other.
Mrs. Wilson looked with dismay on the
inary spread out before her, after listening
90 the above assertion.
"I'm sure, my dcars, she ventured to
say, asome of them are hardly worn, and
with little alienation"
Nov, mamma r interrupted Belle,
zwhy will you talk so ridiculously? When
you know that there is not a thing here
bat What is wretchedly out Of style! And
as to altering anything, it always gives me
a pain IN the side to sew, and I'm not go
ing 10 Saratoga all tagged out, if / never
goI
OF ennrss, this settled that. 1t is lit-
10 cuEious Ehat small amount of work
wiz lag girl s'alI out" who can dance
anti the break Of day without the slight
est inconvenience
There's one thing certain, said Lucy,
the second daughter, "wc've got to have
ut lest one new dress"
II don't know where it's coming from
then" responded Mrs. Wilson, sinking
down wearily into chair. alt was as
much as could do to get your pa to con-
sent TO your going at all 1t was two
O'Clock last night before he gave in, and
then, / verify believe, it was from pure
WEAKNESS. and inability to keep awake any
longer"
Mrs. Wilson said this with the air Of
woman determined to perform her duty at
all hazards, and anxious TO obtain credit
for the same.
But il seemed to have quite the con-
trary effect upon Josie, the youngest daugh-
ter, who had not before spoken, but who
nov bursts forth:
Il declare, if it isn't sin and shame,
mamma, for you to worry pa so r
Mrs. Wilson cast reproaehful look
upon the speaker
81 will say, Josie, that you are the most
nngratelul child ever saw I'd like to
know how much money I'd get out of your
pa If didn't worry it out. But that's all
the thanks getfor lying awake of nights
scheming and planning how to get you a
chance TO get settled in life"
aid thank you for doing so. I'm not
going to Saratoga or Long Branch In
the FIRST place, know that pa can't afford
Il. Aad then / promised May Crofton
that Soald visit her this summer"
Though Mrs. Wilson affected to be dis
pleased at this announcement, she was
secretly relieved.
Belle and Lucy were very we'll suited
with this arrangement too. Josie was
very handy at furnishing up and making
over, and if she was determined to bury
herself in country farm house, she would
not need TO do so much Of that for herself,
and could, therefore, devote more time to
them. And so busy did they keep her
during the two weeks that followed, that
Josie was glad enough to see the big trunks
NIL packed aud waiting in the hall.
To save expense, Mrs. Wilson had ar
ranged to dismiss the servants, and shut
up the house, with the exception Of one
room for her husband, who was to take his
meals ut his sisters.
''Of course, she won't charge him any
thing, SO that viii be one item saved, re
marked Mrs. Wilson, as she regarded com.
placently the effect Of Bellies new dress
which her management had secured.
''As though pa would board there for
nothing" was Josie's indignant reioinder,
.'when Uncle William has such a hard
time to get along"
"Well, if your pa chooses to pay when
he needn't aud il ISN'T expected Of him,
its his own loss For my part don I see
what's the good Of having relations if you
cant make use of them
Mrs. Wilson certainly believed in max
ing her relatives useful, carrying out that
belief to the fullest extent, whenever it is
practicable, as some of them knew to their
cost Even her love for her daughters
partoOk Of the selfish nature, her chief
anxiety being TO get them ''Of her Lands,
and ia a manner thar would be as advan-
t@seOas aud reflect as much credit on her
self us possible.
But they were gone at last, aud Josie
was ut liberty to make her own simple
preparation, which did not take her long
70 csmplete.-
The father and daughter had a-nice
quiet tea together. Josie was going on
the morrow, aud us, sitting opposite him,
pouring out his tea, she saw the. hard lines
soften in his csifeworn face, her heart re-
preached her for leaving him.
I've half mind not to 20, papa; il
seems too bad TO leave you here all bv
yourself"
But Mr.. v ilson would not hear to this.
Il insist on your going; you have been
working hard, aud need change. NV
Aiic would be much the same, any way"
"You may expect nae in three weeks,