Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-12-01
Iosie's New Hat.

have rich papas and full purses.
To Josie Herne it had, alas ! always
been a serious question, but on cer-
tain momentous occasion, about to be
Described, its seriousness was begin
ming to assume appalling proportions.
This was the way of il
The Newcome girls had gotten up
lawn party, led on to do so by the ex'
ample OF some friends who Lad but re-
Gently returned from prolonged resi-
dence abroad, and who declared that
life IN the country was not to be endur'
ed without lawn parties now and then
TO relieve its tedious monotony.
The NewcOmes were the great peo-
pie Of Centrevile. There were half a
dozen girls Of them, and they were very
nice girls, too, in their way; rather
showy, little loud, little slangy and
somewhat disposed to put on airs" as
they SAID ia CeuireVille. But, on the
whole. good>natured aud kind-hear;ed
girls; and little JOSIE Herne, who was
the daughter of their music master, had
often found them so. They were con-
stantly inviting her 10 the house when
her father came to give them lessons !;
they often invited herio tea--more often
that Josie could accept, for she had so
few dresses, and such as she had were
not in very fine state Of preservation,
Notwithstanding the care she took Of
them. Aud in summer, especially, she
had often to refuse Invitations to tea
when she would very gladly have ac-
cepted them, because her summer ward.
robe consisted Of two cheap muslin
gowns, made by Ter own skillful little
hands; and each time she went cut any
where it was necessary to appear in
one or other of these gowns, carefully
laundred by Josie herself.
And how fresh aud pretty they look
ed, 100 and no one ever dreamed no"
flushed ard tired Josie had been after
The ironing, OF what economy she had
practiced 10 enable Ler to buy the extra
halt pound Of starch.
But she didn't mind that, not a bit,
after the task was accomplished. She
was just as happy, and enjoyed herself
probably much more than any one OF
those girls whose dresses were 50 many
that they would have been puzzled TO
number them as a mere matter of mem
Org.
But sometimes even the strictest
economy failed 10 bring in the extra
starch and as Josie was her fathers
house keeper, and did dall the Laundry
work as well as her own dresses, and
the cooking, house cleaning, every
thing in short, and kept the tiny cot
tage as neat aud trim as a flower gar
den, it happened, occasionally that she
couldn't even afford the time to 60 10
the Newcome's grand house TO enjoy
the hospitality that was profercd with
such good will.
However,, a lawn party-!hat was
something that could not be refused.
Therefore, it was accepted, and gladly,
too, for Josie Herne liked the society of
young people of her own age, and en-
ioyed a good time quite as much as any
young, bright, happy girl could.
But oh the hours OF anxiety that
beset Josie after the too attempting in
vitation had been accepted.
All Cenlreyile would, Of course, be
there the Newcomes had the finest
lawn IN the neighborhood, aud every
body would be cbarmi1gly dressed.
Such an opportunity for the display OF
summer toilets did not occur every day,
and when it did, of course every one
would take advantage of it.
Josie was not yaia girl, aud only
moderately fond Of dress, but for lawn
party hat was an absolute necessity,
aud what in the world was she going TO
do for she had been wearing her dark
straw, trimmed with a bright winged lit-
tie bird. all the spring and so far into
the summer that only natural bru-
nette complexion like hers could have
stood such close acquaintance with the
sun. But that hat with light muslin
dress would never do for lawn party.
Consequently, poor Josie was In des'
pair, at least as nearly so as bright,
hopeful, light hearted girl of her age
could be.
II must overhaul my wardrobe J"
she thought, the day after accepting the
invitation; and with comical little grim
ace she added; "belng so extensive Of
course 1 may have forgotten many
thinps-no doabt shall find just what
want in it."
Next day accordingly, as soon as her
mornings work was over, and after the
one hours practice on the little cottage
piano which rhe never omitted, Josie
proceeded to overhaul her wardrobe as
she had said. an d greatly to her surprise
notwithstanding its limited proportions
she actually found two articles Of which
she had heen unconscious. They were,
first, a leghorn hat, very old, very yell
, sw, and having very wide brlm; and
10, 'ond. a dress Of fine India muslin.
ime. stained and sntiquated ia style.
,st 40 long and wide IN the skirt that
Tosie,. O uick Z, : instantly saw 1t, in
he mirro,. Of her mind, ripped. bleachsd
nd remsd Q into an elegant dressof the
|, ,sent day,