Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-12-30
TIE GOvERNOR's BALL.


TT 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 lsoia-
ton to even the muddy surroundings OF our
new house in town was, upon the Wnoie,
pleasant.
Our new house was in the outskirts OF the
city, near the water-works, which were also
new enough to be q novelty to others as well
as ourselves. ,.
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. us
not usual for those study farmers to resign
the care OF their farms and herds for the dull
life of small towns or even cities like Spring
field.
that he has built that house in the city" was
the explanation given us-sister Kate and
by old Captain Fenwick, a neighbor.
.'Then, why don't you give your daughters
q better chance als0?' was Rates quick re-
s.WelI, to tell you the TRUTH" and he
laughed and hesitated little. 81 think my
Girls have improved their chances quite well
enough. One gone already. and another to
60 next month perhaps d Gn,y Ne no ,e1S bo us
lonely an old house is when all the girls have
gone out forever"
The old man sighed and turned away his
head little. 1t must be sad to see the Last
one 90, although we have fashion OF saying
they1are glad to get rid OF u.s.
Those Fenwick girls were bright, pretty
xiris., and it was true, as he said. they Lad
Improved their chances well enough.
Sister Kate and were palmer. Not many
beans came to us; and, somehow, those who
came were the least desirable. There might
have been several grains of truth in Captain
Fenw.ck's jest that it was to give us better
chance, this removal from the city. And we
both silently felt it, too.
But, Captain, you will send Nellie up to
90 with us to the Governors ball at New
Years !' said Kate to him, at parting, ana
!. Joined her in the request.
Eyes, il mother is willing and Nell thinks
she has dress fine enough to appear IN
in company with you gay city ladies'"
1--WE are not yet gay city ladies, ana you
know very well that she has as fine as we
have"
"Then 1 think you may expect her, ano
good.b
The old man went his way, feeling, as we
could see, little sad at the loss OF his pretty
Urls. He had scarcely gone out OF sight be-
Snrc heard g Heflon' at the gate. You
mnsf know that all farmers keep one OF
more dogs, which animals, while they are
Kind enough to us, have no love Tor stran'
.0ers. When we hear q call we go out, since
q would not in general be safe for any one
to venture inside the yard alone:
e. This visitor at the gate was John Goodwin
a.young lawyer from Springfield, who seem
ed TO he more fond OF hunting over tne ne,a'
than hunting over Ms autnorities ior hi'
q He had a gun and some prairie chickens
.E NGood morning, Miss Livingstone. Il
ssvour father at homer!
Good morning, sir. Father is not a
ehome. but will you come in''
80 .1If T nav for little,' he answered, ant
s%>.tenine his game to the saddle, he came NJ
the walk to the house.
John Goodwin was not by any means
s.rsncer. we had known him q little 70
1hrea or four wears. Common report sal,
hat he was an admireY, ii not q beau, OF Mel
lie Fenwick's. He certainly visited the Fen
sre;ohhorhood. In fact, he was such pleas
ant, good company that ne was welcome any
where among us.
hands with me, he said, laughing:
.sI know YOU consider me worthless fel
syovvE Miss Fanny, TO be hunting half tn
lime I have no hope OF pardon from you
Is hrf possibly Miss Kate will be more lie
men, g y. u.s inst behind me, ready to gree
~ Nh Then we all went into the house.
r. !" And how is Nelly Fenwick to day." In
/ nuired Kate. audaciously. "1ou have Dee
there OF course"
He fairly blushed under ner 9uiz1ing;,
~7e~ stYes. was there, and found her lookin
rerv charming" he answered.
- 4 twas il kind Of you to run away so soon
But, then. Fan and ouch. to appreciate n
- cnmrliment, since neither OF US can ?
Is sIo,,ad charming without the grossest fiat
80 Y. art Miss Kate, ron might be doing bot
,vo,,r sister and yourself gross injustice, yo
An AZ was beginning to recover the 10:
ground. s:sa,. vo, maet f.the
s.,,;s morning on the Springfield road.' Kat
suddenly demanded. He was T larry se ee Ar,
os ,n.ors Won did; and yet yon could com
fs sra and ask his innocent daughters II the
n nsa .r.s nj home. Next time when 70
caiI q see the danghsers.ana You o sn nov !,
E are always glad 70 see YOU WY nos asA y
the sv cav. ali laughing heartily over b