The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-08-21
CHRIS GRADUATION DRESS.
HOWE BENNING

1hey1l De perfectly Splendid, of
course, said Kate Cox. econ Livingston
is going to wear India null, with puffs
and quillirg s and lace od zs6stuna, and
Fan Ellis is to have pale blue silk: she
knows what's good for blonde, and lisa
True, white crape'' @4 ..a
'.And what is LOUISE" asked Hates
audience. ., ..... .. EE-
ooh, mamma and she are not agreed
yet. Lou wants silk and mamma says
white is the only proper thing; she was a
Holyokite, you know, aid the law there
was white and blue sashes.'' r
Somewhat different style, though, I
fancy, from the white Of to-day when
your mamma graduated" ...:
"Just think Of it girls! Her dress was
while Swiss muslin, full round waist,
plain SKIRT and pulled sleeves, and her
blue sash-she has it yet-is not as wide
as my finger is long. How they must
have looked!' 49,. IS: ..s. s
MY mother says it was great deal
more sensible than the present way" re.
marked Cathie Floss. II 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"
ooh, it's splendid I Think said
another: Almost as good as ones first
ball. mean to make sensation when
my turn comes, and be got up regadless
for once"
1T will be her only hope,'' whispered
Kate; "the sensation never'u come from
the inside of her head. But it's stopped
raining, girls; let's go. And the merry
group scattered down the stairs and
homeward.
Meanwhile, in the dressing-room ad-
joining, Chris sat on the floor listening 10
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 a dress, and now-silk
and India null; Poor Chris might as
we'll expect piece out of the blue sky as
either Of these. It had been such happy
life to study the dear books and feel that
every day was bringing nearer the time
when as a teacher, she could help the pa
3Stient, Woodworking father and mother,
and give the little ones a chance in the
world. She had known that she was
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 h clip over hard places, and as for
Con Livingston, whom Chris worshipped
in girl fashion, hadn't she many sweet
little note and word treasured away of
hers? But this dress question: Con in
India null with ruffles and lace was SET
entirely away. ..g". f4s.. 5--E
The little plain home in a poor street
was reached at last, and Chris went in to
find the busy mother with hands and Ian
full of mending and foot outstretched for
baby to stand by. He crowed and
shouted at sight of his sister, and Chris
took him up and went to the window.
''Mother," she said after while, E'what
am going to wear to graduate in9"
The mother sighed. She had thought
Of that great deal. ....
II don't know, daughter she said at
last. II did hope to get you neat white,
but times are so hard ana fathers wages
are lowered and you have outgrown every
thing.' -
:" Yes" said Chris, "what can it be
then2" .,e, ssy>saz -
II don't see how it can be anything
more than light calico.'
"a calico? o mother!n <a
" Yes, dear, l know"
''But the others have silk and null
and Grape"
!" Yes, dear, I know, and so 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.
$ Yes, mother, never mind; it'll be all
right, I 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
cred what made her so still.
When she went up to bed, and Liz and
Cora were sound asleep, the poor child
sat down by the open window to think it
out. But the great tears welled up, and
finally the head sank on the window
seat and the aching heart said all
the time, ut is very hard, very hard p
and the tears rolled faster and faster.
After long time, as it seemed to
Chris, she heard some one calling very
softly, "Chris Chris!''
She lifted her head; but at first could
see nothing, the room was so bright to
her dimmed eyes. Then as she became
accustomed to the light, she saw love-
" face smiling upon her.
If who is it9" asked Chris, wondering.
% was sent to bring you dress,'' re.
Piled the visitor, t.to wear on your great
school day. 1t is only a very common
one now, but it depends upon yourself to
make it as beautiful as you will. Here
Is q sprig Of plant called Heartsease
that | picked from my Masters garden,
and if you wear it with the dress it will
be lovely in every eye. Will you keepit2'
And Chris said Yes, for the fragrance
was very sweet; so sweet that she
thought she must pin it in her neck and
wear it at once. And as she and her
mother gazed upon the simple dress it
seemedsto grow,,more beautiful every day,
until the time Of wearing it came.
why Chris, how you shinel" said the