The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-04-01

back, too.
Jennie did not answer She had re-
covered from her confusion, aud only a
sickly smile showed that she had under
stood his suggestion.
"a good idea, don't YOU think SO,
mother?" he added with little chirrupy
laugh, which Mrs. MaybeTy answered
with another; but hers was forced and
hollow.
Tommy saw the samples of silk, still
in his mothers hand. Something for
my new jacket trimmings, isn't it ?" he
said.
"Oh, no. Jennie, you may as well tell
your fatherall about it, was the response,
in low, sad tones"
Jennie began to cry.
"Hi hi ~ said her father, cheerily
"This won't do for a seventeen-year-ol
young lady. What's up? don't see any,
thing to cry about. You're getting ner-
vous, sis. Too much study, I'm afraid
shall be glad when you get through
this terrible last term. But you're COM
ing out well-thats not the trouble, ]
hope? Let's run over the battles again.
SO to be sure of them" And he took up
the book which she had pushed aside,
Mrs. Mayberry laid the strips of silk
upon the book. "What do you think of
those ?" she said gently.
"Those?" he asked. "Why, what are
they ? How come you by them?"
''Is it best for Jennie to have a gradu-
alton suit like either of them ?"
"Ow Jennie? Good Grandmother of
Methuselah Our little Jennie rugged out
like a ffty-year-old? You're Joking
wife !"
Jennie had ceased crying and now
looked up anxiously
Never was more in earnest, John.
Well, l don't pretend to know about
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, it seems to
me-
'It would be very serviceable," said
Jennie, meekly.
"Serviceable-how?" ?" queried her fa-
ther "Your mothers dresses are always
seryiceable, and they are not silk. And
then, look at the cost of it. Whew Ten
fifteen dollars, suppose"
"More than double that" returned
Mrs. Maybemy.
THAT settles the question. No it
will not be serviceable for my daughter
NOT at any price"
"But, if get the school at Stapleton"
asked Jennie.
"Ah ! If! Time enough to talk about
silk dresses when you've money that you
don't know what to do with. If you do
teach, you shant begin for over year. y
"More than half the girls of our class
will have silks for graduation, Prudy
says, and"
81 suppose she will she looks like
that kind of gill And, as usual, her
father is going to borrow my moving
machine next summer, and the new
plough that l must buy in April. No,
no, my daughter-no black silk for you,
yet However-let me see, l have it
now One of my happy thoughts-just
in the nick of time, | declare !"
He drew out his pocket-book, and from
its folds took several bank-bills "Mr,
Simonds paid for his hay this afternoon,
I'm right glad to get the money just now
was intending it for certain purpose,
plan your mother and l made while
ago. But I've changed my mind within
an hour, and, Jennie, if you'll wear the
same dress you have got on now-this
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
"I'll 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 motherll lend all her plants, every
Aower-pot, I've no doubt"
Certainly, with pleasure" responded
Mrs. Maybory.
"The graduation, or commencement,
rather-for then you will really begin
your life as woman," said Mr. May
berry, "ought to be a joyful occasion,
And yet serious one, as you then lay
aside childish things and take the first
step toward the sober realities Of life.
And want you to know, Jennie, that the
first step will have much to do in deter.
mining 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, IA
ther, because Mary's got to have new
gown to graduate in, said Tommy.
"And Mrs Drayton told me fortnight
ago that Hannah had left the High
School on account Of the expense Of
graduation" said his mother,
"Well--I suppose there are others in
the same box, as uncle Russell express