South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-08-16
Chris Graduation Dress.
BY HOWE BENNrNe.


They'll be perfectly splendid, of
course" said Kate Cox. Con Living
ston is going to wear India null, with
putfs and quillings and lace AL libitum,
and Fan Ellis is to have pale blue silk ;
she knows what's good for bloade, and
lisa True, white Grape
"And what is LOUISE" asked Hates
audience.
''Oh, mamma and she are not agreed
yet. Lou wants silk and mamma says
white is the only proper thing; she was
a Holyokite, and The law there was
white and blue sashes."
somewhat different style, though, l
fancy, from the white of to-day, when
your mamma graduated
Just think Of it, girls! Her dress
was white Swiss muslin, full round waist,
plain skirt and puffed sleeves, and her
blue sash-she has il yet-is not as
wide rs my finger is long. How they
must have lookedv'
"My mother says it was great deal
more sensible than the present way"
remarked Cathie Floss. Il never should
dare to graduate now, for fear Of being
the dowdy of the class. All you hear
the seniors talk about is just dress,
Dress
"Oh, it's splendid. think" said an.
other. "Almost as good as ones first
ball. mean to make sensation when
my turn comes, and be thought regard
less for once"
1T will be her only hope whispered
II or ln
the inside Of her head. But it's stopped
raining, girls lets CO." And the mer-
ry group scattered down the stairs and
homcward.
Meanwhile, in the drcssiug.room ad-
joining. Chris sat on the floor listening
TO the lively chatter with sudden dread
numbing her heart. Her head had been
so full Of mental philosophy, literature,
and essays that she had forgotten she
Was to graduate in dress, and now
silk and India null! Poor Chris might
rs we'll expect piece out Of b lue sky
as either OF these. 1t had been such q
happy life to study the dear books, and
feel that every day was bringing nearer
the time when as teacher, she could help
the patient, Woodworking father and
mother, and give tho little ones chance
in the world. She had known that they
were poor and her classmates rich. but
that never troubled her sunny nature
before. Everybody was good to Chris.
Even the naughty Fan Ellis found it
convenient to get her help over hard
places, and as for Con Livingston. whom
Chris worshipped in girl fashion.
hadn't she many q sweet little note and
word treasured away Of hers? But this
dress question Con in India null with
rufiles and lace was set entirely away.
The little, plain home in poor street
was reached at last, and Chris went in
TO find the busy mother with hands and
| lap full Of mending and foot outstretch.
ed for baby TO stand by. He crowel
and shouted at sight OF his sister. and
! Chris took him up and went TO the win
dow.
Mother she said, after while.
what am going TO wear to graduate in :
The mother sighed. She had thought
OF that q great deal.
Il don't know. daughter she said,
ut last. Il did hope To get you neat
white. but times are so hare and father s
wages are lowered, and you have out
grown everything"
Yes" sail Chris, what can it be
then?'
II don't see how it can be anything
more than a light calico"
"A calico? O mother !"
Eyes, dear, know"
"But the Others have silk and null
and Grape"
Eyes, dear, know, anil go does
Christ, who had not where TO lay His
head Think it over in that way. You
know, Chris, mother would if she could,
and the voice trembled.
Eyes, mother, never mind it'll be all
right, / guess
But Chris set the baby down and went
up to her little room. She did not care
much for supper, and the children won
dered what made her so still.
When she went up 90 bed, and Liz
and Cora were sound asleep. She poor
child sat down by the open window "a
think it out. But the great tears wclled
up. and finally the head sank on the
window seat, and the aching heart said
all the time. at is very hard. very hard -
and the tears rolled faster and faster.
After n long time. rs IL seemed 70
| Chris, she heard some one calling very
softly. Chris Chris - She lifted hcr
head but at first could see nothing the
room was so bright TO her dimmed eyes
Then. rs she became accustomed to tho
light. she saw lovely face smiling up.
on her.
"Who is !" asked Chris. wondering
81 was sent to bring you a dress,
replied the visitor, TO wear on your
great school.day. IL Is only very
common one now. but it depends upon
yourself TO make it as beautiful as you
will. Here is little sprig Of plant
called Heatts.oasc that Ipickcd mp from
my Masters garden. and if You wear it
with the dress it will be lovely in every