The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-03-31
Jennie'S Graduation Dress.

Jcnnlo,S Gra0u0tlOn Dress.
Now, 90 on with your study, Jennie.
It's useless 10 discuss the matter"
But mother, don't See"
''Of course you don't see, dear, hut
when your father has decided, he hus
decided, you know. Don't think any
more about It. Come, I cant spare you
but fifteen minutes more. You must
help me on Johnny's jacket-just the
buttonholes, my eyes are 20 poor"
why don't you get Miss Stitchson to
make the buttonholes?"
Don't ask me. What did your
father say yesterday noon, and again
just now at supper time? II you will
make them / can get the jacket finished
tonight. He needs it enough.
Now, mother Mayberry, it's too bad!
Toms suit is shabby, but / don't believe
he cares. One day more won't make
much difference, any way; and ] will
help on the buttonholes tomorrow after
noon If Prudy don't come for me 70
practice that duet for her."
mo, my dear. Never put off till to-
morrow what can be done to-day
Grandma's motto, you know, wish you
would bear it in mind more than you do.
There-now you mustn't say snothei
word-keep Your thoughts on your lesson.
shan't speak for fifteen minutes"
At this Jennie resumed studying, for
she was as DESTROYS as her mother was for
her to be correct in recitations. She has
been drealing this last review in history,
which was to determine her rank In
scholarship. After her father was anx-
ious that she should stand high at grad
nation-only three weeks hence he
had even taken pains to go over with her
NIL the battles Of the rebellion and the
events Of the Franco-G German war. dates
were such trouble to her; and taught her
an old method Of his own for memoriz-
ing such things accurately.
She went on patiently with the words
Of the book. But am sorry to say her
thoughts wandered to Prudence WINS
new dress, and to . small package in
her pocket which she had not vet had
the courage-opportunity, she would
have said, to show her mother; yet which
she must see this very evening II her
long cherished hopes were to be full
filled.
A pencil was needed to mark the bat
tie of the Wilderness from her memor-
izing method. and in taking it from her
pocket out came the package. Her pink
cheeks took OH q deeper hue rs she
hastily snatched at il before it fell to the
floor, and there was confused droop Of
her qniveringeyelids before her mothers
questioning glance. Not q word was
said, but Mrs. Mayberry extended her
hand, and Jennie dare not ignore the
unspOken request.
"What does this mean, daughter?
Jordan 4 Marsh's shop bill-black silk
-samples!' said Mrs. Mayberry. slowly.
rs she unfolded the little package.
Il wanted to know what L would
cost, came the reluctant words, rs the
girls nervous fingers turned and re-
turned the pages Of her history. "Other
girls, lots Of them, do"
do what?'
"Send for samples"
without consulting their parents? I
hope not, Jennie. How could You ?"
There was no answer, and the question
was repeated. But before she had time
to reply Mr.. Mayberry and Tommy
who had been busy over an hour in the
barn looking after the comfort az
the little heifer and Nan, her moth.
er. and seeing that jerks, the old
roam, and Daisy, the pony, were al
right, and everything about the premises
snug and orderly-came hurriedly in.
Mr.. Mayberry, quick to read faces,
saw that something unpleasant was
under consideration. Presuming it was
the same-graduation and expenses
which had been talked over 1t tea time,
he said: i've been thinking It all over,
Jennie. l cant bear to have you feel
unhappy and dissatisfied, and instead Of
giving money for hiring music that day
aud evening I'll let the class have the
use Of our piano-you aud Prudie VIM
can play well enough for anybody who
will he there. How do you like that :?
I'll take it to the school house and back,
too"
Jennie did not answer. She had re-
covered from her confusion, and only .
sickly smile showed that she had under
stood his suggestion.
"A good idea-dont you think 20,
mother?" he added, with . little CHR
ruppy laugh, which Mrs. Mayberry an
swered with another-but hers was
forced and hollow.
Tommy saw the samples Of silk, still
in his mothers hand. Something fol-
my new jacket trimmings, is i'll" be
asked.
'sOh, no; Jenny, you might as well
tell your father about it." was the 10.
sponse. in low, sad tones.
Jenny began to cry.
Hi! hi!" said her father, cheerfully
s'this won't do for q seventeen year -old
young Indy. What's up? / don't sex
anything TO cry about. You're getting
nervous, sis. Too much study, Tn
afraid. shall be glad when you &c,
through this terrible last term. Blu
you're coming out well-that's not thu
trouble, hope? Let's run over the bat
ties again, 50 rs to be sure of them.
And he took mp the book which she hai
pushed aside.
Mrs. Mayberry laid the strips Of sill
upon the book. "What do you think o
those?" she asked, gently.
"Thosc?" he asked. "Why, what ar,
they? How came won by them?"
lis it best for Jennie to have q grad
uation suit like either of them?"
'.Our Jennie? Good grandmother 81
Methuselah! Our Jennie rugged out
like q tifty-year-old? You're joking
wfe!"
Jennie had ceased crying and nov
looked mp anxiously.
Never was more in earnest, John.
well, / don't pretend to know abou,
these things. But You don't really want
it. do you, child? Such gloomy thing.
Why. you ought to have something
bright and cheerful then, il seems
TO me.
1T would be very serviceable," sale
Jennie, meekly.
..Serviceable- queried her faith.
er. ''Yonr mothers dresses are alwayl
serviceable-and they are not silk. And
then look at the cost of it. Whew
Ten fifteen dollars, suppose"
More than double that" returned
Mrs. Mayberry.
THAT settles the question. No, Il
will not I've seryiceable for my daughter
-nof nj TINT prica