The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-01-08
THE GOVERNORS BALL.
An Episode of New Years Eve.


IT 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 isola-
ton to even the muddy surroundings Of our
new house in town was, upon the whole,
pleasant.
Our new house was in the outskirts of the
city, near the water-works, which were also
new enough to be novelty to others as well
as ourselves.
Our father, John Livingstone, came to Hi
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. 1t is
not usual for those sturdy farmers to resign
the care Of their farms and herds for the dull
life of small towns or even cities like Spring
field.
cit is all to give you girls better chance,
that he has built that house in the city," was
the explanation given us-sister Kate and
by old Captain Fenwick, neighbor.
''Then, why don't you give your daughters
a better chance alsoN' was Kate's quick re-
tort
..Well, to tell you the TRUTH" and he
laughed and hesitated little, 81 think my
girls have improved their chances quite well
go next month, perhaps. Only Nell left us
then. You young ones don't know how
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 go, although we have fashion of saying
they are glad to get rid of us.
Those Fenwick girls were bright, pretty
girls, and it was true, as he said, they had
improved their chances well enough.
Sister Kate and | were palmer. Not many
beaus came to us; and, somehow, those who
came were the least desirable. There might
have been several grains of truth in Captain
Fenwick'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
go with us to the Governors ball at New
Year's?" said Kate to him, at parting, and
joined her in the request.
Yes, if mother is willing and Nell thinks
she has a dress fine enough to appear in
in company with you gay city ladies'"
We are not yet gay city ladies, and you
know very we'll that she has as fine as we
have"
That was our mutual response.
"Then | think you may expect her, and
Goodbye
" Good by"
The old man went his way, feeling, as we
could see, little sad at the loss of his pretty
girls. He had scarcely gone out of sight be-
fore heard Helo!" at the gate. You
must know that all farmers Keep one or
more dogs, which animals, while they are
kind enough to us, have no love for stran-
gers. When we hear a call we go out, since
It would not in general be safe for any one
to venture inside the yard alone.
This visitor at the gate was John Goodwin,
young lawyer from Springfield, who SEEM
ed to be more fond Of hunting over the fields
than hunting over his authorities for his
clients cases.
IL hal nd I'D IL
"Good morning, Miss Livingstone. Is
your father at home"
Good morning, sir. Father is not at
home, but will you come in?
eff l may, for little" he answered, and
fastening his game to the saddle, he came up
the walk to the house.
John Goodwin was not by any means a
stranger; we had known him little for
three or four years. Common report said
that he was an admirer, IL not beau, of Nell
lie Fenwick's. He certainly visited the Fem
wicks oftener than any other family OF the
neighborhood. In fact, he was such pleas
ant, good company that he was welcome any
where among us.
As he came up to the veranda and shook
hands with me, he said, laughing:
90 know you consider me q worthless fel =
low, Miss Fanny, to be hunting half the
tiE:c. / have no hope of pardon from YOU,
but possibly Miss Kate will be more le-
Kate was just behind me, ready to greet
him. Then we all went into the house.
"And how is Nelly Fenwick -dayY' in
quired Kate. audaciously. ''You have been
there, of course" .I..-..-., .
He fairly blushed under her quizzing.
eyes, was there, and found her looking
very charming" he answered.
twas it kind Of you to run away so sooni
But, then, Fan and ought to appreciate the
compliment, since neither of us can be
called charming without the grossest fat
terry"
''But, Miss Kate, you might be doing both
your sister and yourself gross injustice, you
know"
He was beginning to recover the lost
ground.
"Mr. Goodwin, didn't you meet father
this morning on the Springfield road" Kate
suddenly demanded. He was fairly scarlet
under her impertinence. "Yes, | see from
your looks you did; and yet you could come
here and ask his innocent daughters If their
father was at home. Next time when you
call to see the daughters--and you know we
are always glad to see you-why not ask for
the daughtersW
We were all laughing heartily over his