The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-05-15
Select Storp.
THE WEDDING -DOWRY.

me, dear me, it is dreadful r. and Mrs.
Grayson caught up the pretty bodice of
the garment in question, aud gave II
shake, Kathie, hemming rufiles by the
widow, laughed.
"What can't be cured must be endured;
there's no help for 1t, auntie," she said
ayes, there was help for it,, cried the
lady, tossing the bodice from her, "if you
had taken my advice; but you must go and
act like a simpletonl The idea Of girl
of your age giving away her hard earnings
and then getting married without even a
decent change of clothing | declare it
is too absurd; aud you are making a good
match, too Charley Montague comes of
one Of the best families in the county, and
he'll be rich one of the days"
"At which time, let us hope, my scanty
wardrobe will be replenished, " said Kathie,
merrily.
Her aunt frowned eontemptuously.
"But what are you to do now p she
went on. "What do you think, Mrs. Mon.
tague, of Oaklauds, will think Of you,
when she sees your marriage outfit? Wait
until she sees you in your shabby gar
ments.
Shabby garments !" said Kathie, open
ing her bright brown eyes. "My garments
arc not shabby, auntie. lam quite sure
never looked shabby in my whole life"
Mrs. Grayson glanced at the trim,
graceful little figure. The close fitting
blue merino was iaultless; the linen cuffs
and collars were as spotless as snow.
Kathie was right; she never did look shabby
Mrs. Grayson, Kathie's well to do aunt
with daughters Of her own, who trailed
their silks in the dust, and tumbled their
plumes and laces, aud looked dowdy all
the time, regarded the trim little figure at
the window with hali.admiring, half.
sneering smile.
Such simpletou as you've been, said
her aunt, "afteI toiling aud teaching for
your money, to turn around and give it
away | declare it puts me out of temper
to think of il.
"What else could do?' tho girl burst
out passionately. "Could sec poor Geor-
go's cottage sold over his head, aud he and
his wife and children turned into the
street n
"Assuredly," answered the lady, coolly,
she could have rented a house easily
enough. In your place, should have
kept my money ia my pocket; but you
wouldn't listen TO my advice. You are
sorry for il now, no doubt"
"l am not sorry. would do the same
thing tomorrow, I'm glad | had the
money TO pay poor Georges debt, and
don't care il | do look shabby"
''Very well, shall not try to care either.
| shan't help you; told you that in the
beginning. / can't afford it; aud even if
! could, should not feel it my duty. You
would be headstrong and senseess, you
must bear the consequence. III give you
some lace for your neck and sleeves, and
you may wear that garnet set of Joseph
ine's."
al don't want any laee-Tye some that
belonged to mamma; and l wouldn't wear
JOsephine's garnets for anything"
"0h, very well, don't snap my head of,
| beg; you needn't wear them. Much
thanks one gets for trying to assist you !
You won't wear any hat either, suppose;
how about that?"
IL have plenty of trimming; | shall
trim that light felt wore last winter
" And your jacket, where's that to come
from, pray 2"
kathies tears were gone; her brown
eyes flashed like stars. ,'f' tHf
81 intend to make myself jacket Of
grandiathers old overcoat," she replied.
kathie then threw aside her rufles and
going g the clothes press, brought out the
old coat.
The material Is very fne,p she said"
"and this rich, old-fashioned fur win cut
into nice strips for trimming; | eau make
a handsome jacket out of il, aud think, "
she added, softly, "grandpapa would ike |
me to have il, il he knew"
"Grandpapa, indeed !" echoed Mrs.
Gayson Il should think you'd have but
little respect for his memory after the
manner he treated you; never leaving YOU |
a penny, after you nursed him, aud slayed |
for him as you did
Il think he intended to leave NE some
thing, said Kathie. 81 know he did; |
but he died so suddenly, aud there was |
some mistake.a
ooh, nonsense / wouldn't give a dg |
for good intentions lie had lots Of |
money--everybody knows that. Il has all |
gone to that scapegraee Dugald, and you |
haven't shilling for your wedding dow.
rCharlie won't nsind that said Katie.
her checks blooming like rose.
She took the old coat, aud, crossing to
the window, began to rip the closely
stitched seams, her pretty fresh face look |
ing sad and dowDcast Aunt Grayson's
worldly wise talk had put her out Of heart.
All her life she had been such brave,
sweet little soul. Left an orphan early,
she had lived with her grandfather, aud |
made his last days bright.
You're dear child, Kathie; bye and
bye, when you think Of being bride, | |
will give you . marriage dowry."
Tie had said so dozen times, vel. after
his sudden death, one midwinter night.
there was no mention Of Kathic found in /
his will, and everything went to Dugald,
the sou Of second marriage
kathie did not complain; but il cut her
to the heart to think grandpapa had for.
gotten her She tried not to believe Il;
there was some mistake.
Apd when Dngald sold out the old
homestead aud went of, sho gathered .up |
oil the old sonvenirs and took care oftheni.
The old fer-trimmed oyereoat was one.
Then, lodging at her aunt's, she taught
the village children, and saved up her
earnings for her marriage day. for Charles