Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1880-12-30
THE GOVERNORS BALL.
an Episode of New Year,s Eve.

IT was our first winter in Springfield. You
know the winters in Illinois are not the most
enjoyable of the seasons Yet the change
from the great farm with its absolute isola-
tion to even the muddy surroundings of ouI
new house in town was, upon the whole,
pleasant.
Our new house was in the outskirts Of the
city, near the water works, which were also
new enough to be a novelty to Others as well
as ourselves. eg# Hl ~n a
Our father, John Livingstone, came to Illi-
nois when there were hardships to encounter;
when neighbors were few, and when schools
and churches were wide apart. But, then,
so many others have had the same expert
ence, there is nothing peculiar in that. tits
not usual for those sturdy farmers to resign
the care of their farms and herds for the dull
life of small towns or even cities like SPRING
field.
cit is all to give you girls better chance,
that he has built that house in the city," was
the explanation given us-sister Kate and
by old Captain Fenwick, neighbor.
''Then, why don'tyou give your daughters
a better chance alsoW was Kate's quick re-
tort. L
laughed and hesitated little, 81 think my
girls have improved their chances quite well
enough. One gone already, and another to
then. You young ones don't know how
lonely an old house is when all the girls have
gone out forever"
The old man sighed and turned away his
head little. 1t stbe sad to see the last
one go, although we have a fashion of saying
they are glad to getrid Of us.
Those Fenwlck girls were bright, pretty
girls, and it was true, as he said, they had
improved their chances well enough.
Sister Kate and were palmer. Not many
beaus came to us; and, somehow, those who
came were Che least desirable. There might
have been several grains Of truth in Captain
Fenwick's jest that it was to give us a better
chance, this removal from the city. And we
both silently felt it, too
"But, Captain, you will send Nellie up to
go with us to the Governors ball at New
Year'sr' said Kate to him, at parting, and
Joined her in the request
( "Yes, if mother Is willing and NeA thinks
she has dress fine enough to appear in
jnseompany with you gay city ladies'.
- We are not yetgay city ladies, and you
know very well that she has as fine as we
have" #E46 t3kEff @gt Il
That was our mutual response.
"Then | think you may expect her, and
good by"
" Good by"
The old man went his way, feeling, as we
could see, little sad at the loss Of Mspretty |
girls. He had scarcely gone out Of sight be- |
fore l heard HellO!" at the gate. You
must know that all farmers keep one or
more dogs, which animals, while they are
kind enough to us, have no love for stran-
gers. When we hear a call we go out, since
1t would not in general be safe for any one
TO venture inside the yard alone.
This visitor at the gate was John Goodwin,
q young lawyer from Springfield, who SEEM
ed to be more fond of hunting over the fields
than hunting over his authorities for his
clients cases,
He had gun and some prairie chickens.
"Good morning, Miss Livingstone Is
your father ut hOmeP
Good morning, sir. Father is not at
home, but will you come inp'
''n I maR for a little," he answered, and /
his game to the saddle, he came up
the walk to the house.
John Goodwin was not by any means Il
stranger; we had known him a little for
three on four years. Common report said
that he was an admirer, if not beau, Of Mel
lie Fenwiek's. He certainly visited the Fem
Wicks oftener than any other family of the J,
In fact, he was such pleas
ant, good company that he was welcome any
where among us.
As he came up to the veranda and shook
hands with me, he said, laughing:
g know you consider me q worthless fell
low, Miss Fanny, to be hunting half the !
time. I have no hope of pardon from you,
but possibly Miss Kate will be more le- I
nient" L
Kate was Just behind me, ready to greet t
him. Then we all went into the house.
"And how is Nelly Fenwick to-dayw in |
Iuired Kate, audaciously. "You have been t
here, of COURSE" s
He fairly blushed under her quizzing. O
{" Yes, was there, and found her looking / h
1ery charming" 4" he answered. h
"Was it kind Of you to run away so soon? Y
But, then, Fan and ought to appreciate the
compliment, since neither of us can be v
allied charming without the grossest fat a
cry" q
Z" But, Miss Kate, you might be doing both
our sister and yourself gross injustice, you q
now" O
he was beginning to recover the lost Il
round. q
g Mr.. Goodwin, didn't you meet father
his morning on the Springfield roadW Kate h
uddenly demanded, He was fairly scarlet ci
nder her impertinence. ayes, see from al
our looks You did; and yet you could come Il
ere and ask his Innocent daughters if their A
lther was at home. Next time when you cs
all to see the daughters--and you know we IL
re always glad 10 see you-Why not ask for Vi
he daughtersp
We were all laughing heartily over his