The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-03-17

teach, you shan't begin for over year."
More than half the girls in our class
will have silks for graduation, Pruey
says. and"
'I suppose she will; she looks like that
kind of girl And, as usual, her father
is going to borrow my moving machine
next summer, and the new pillow must
buy in April. No, no daughter-no
black silk for you yet. However-let me
see. / have it nowl One of my happy
thoughts-iust in the nick of time, 1 de-
clarel"
He drew out his pocket-book, and
from its folds took several bank bills.
''Mr. Simonds paid for his hay this aft
ernoon. I'm right glad to get the money
just now-was intending it for certain
purpose, O plan your mother and made
while ago. But I've changed my
mind within an hour, and, Jennie, if you
will wear the same dress you have on
now-the neat gray flannel with the
pretty pink neck-tie-at the graduation,
you shall have every cent he paid me
TO spend as you choose.
Jennie looked troubled.
"Ill be there to see," he added.
Moreover and likewise" he continued
merrily, Tommy and / will get as many
spruce trees and as much evergreen to
trim the school-room as you will accept.
And mothern lend all her plants, every
hower-pot, I've no doubt"
Certainly, with pleasure, responded
Mrs. Mayberry.
"The graduation, or commencement,
rather-for then you will really begin
yourlife as woman, say Mr.. Mayberry,
fought to be q joyful occasion And
| yet q serious and thoughtful one, as you
then lay aside childish things and take
the first step toward the sober realities
] of life. And want you to know, Jen-
ME, that the first step will have much to
do in determining your future course.
| Don't begin with show and extravaganza
then-even If you-that is, I-can afford
it; it would not be right or becoming.
mike Brady hasn't any overcoat,
father, because Mary's got to have new
gown to graduate in, said Tommy.
"And Mrs. Drayton told me a fort
night ago that Hannah had left the high
school on account of the expense of
graduation" said his mother.
"Well, I suppose there are others lin
the same box, as Uncle Russell expresses
it. He said to me the other day that he
should not be able to take up his note as
soon as he expected, next month; his two
boys school expenses are 80 great this
last term"
"All the girls are telling what they
shall wear, and thought expected
=" began Jennie in a trembling voice.
| Her father interrupted her, placing the
bank bills in her hand.
'TThink it over tonight, dear. You
have had good teachers and you are fond
of them, / know. and are attached to
your mates; have had many happy hours
in the old school-room; will wish to look
back on the last days spent in there with
pleasant memories. Spend the money
it is yours now-in O way that will give
you the most delightful recollection.
''Now, please, let us drop the subject, "
said her mother, laying the samples on
her work-stand, and taking up Tommy's
jacket. Gam 1 to have your help on the
button-holes, dear?" she added, quietly.
Jennie gave her brightsmile, gathered
up the bits of silk, went directly to the
stove and threw them in the fire.
'Buttonholes, buttons-anything you
say, was her answer, as she seated her.
self on stool at her mothers side, that
both might sew at the same time.
"How about your battles? Dates al
right, daughter?" asked her father
LET me hear them"
She recited them slowly and correctly
ending with gay laugh, and-'1 was
determined to have them right"
"And you have succeeded. Add an
other-a victory for General Good-Senst
at Mayberry point What's the date?'
"Never mind. Graduation day, wei
call it, perhaps" and having elapsed hel
,, purse with vigorous snap, there was {
twinkle of its steel rings as she slipped i
: into her pocket; and then her skillfu
fingers ran rapidly through the mazes o
buttonhole stitches. So Tommy's JACKIE
was completed, and he was glad enough
, to have it ready to wear the next day.
L Graduation day was remarkably fai
for March. The school-room was crowd
4 ed with the parents and friends of tn
. pupils. Everybody admired the decora
= tions of evergreen and Towering plants
3 which Mr.. Mayberry not only provided
4 but assisted in arranging.
Not one of the pupils passed NOR
! creditably through tie exercises thai
| Jenny Mayberry, and certainly not on
3 looked prettier than she in her modes
gray dress, with pink bow at he
, throat. More than one among the gen
5 tlemen visitors inquired who that hand
5 some girl in gray was--"And such easy
= charming manners" added some. "An
, such fine scholar" said others.
, The music-only Jenny Mayberry'
l piano and singing by the pupils wa
4 liked so well that persistent encore O
Y the last song brought its repetition
Q during which Mr.. Mayberry, bearing
a large package, passed slowly up one G
0 the crowded aisles to the teachers plat
=? form. When the singing ceased, al
!, eyes turned in expectation toward him q
he carefully unfoldeda a large picture from
: it wrappings.
n It was fine engraving, a portrait c
: Abraham Lincoln, in beautiful frame
my daughters gift to the school, i
!, memory of the pleasant hours her
!, passed." said Mr.. Mayberry to the prir
+ cipal.
IS A complete surprise was this, an
everybody seemed astonished at the gel
II erous gift. In q few words Mr.. Ma,
n berry told the story of its purchas
ia Then it was hung on the wall back of tt
teachers desk.
II And that is the way that the change
a the graduation exercises of the Hio
School at Mayberry Point was brougl
about, and why the pupils wear the
:. everyday dresses, and furnish their ow
y music, and make the decorations then
- selves for that occasion. The reason
- - too, that there is always such lare
y class to graduate, and that there is le
!, ~ love of dress and finery among the your
9 people of the place, and such good bool
NJ in its library, and SO many pictur'
ne on the school-room walls, and those tw
T. Rogers groups in corners.-Ne,o En-.
. land Farmer.
Tx Never Marry q Girl Of this Kind.
" rhn aofflannanf Of I,oruar Oranon