Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-03-15
JENNIE'S NEW DRESS.
A SCHOOL GIRLS VICTORY.

Nov, go on with your studying,
Jenny. It's useless to discuss the mat
ter"
"Rut, mother, I don't seq
"Of course you don't see. dear, but
when your father has decided, he has
! decided, you know. Don't think any
more about it. Come, / can't spare
you but fifteen minutes more. You
must help me on Johnny's jacket
just the buttonhOles, my eyes are SO
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? If you will make them
l can get the jacket finished tonight.
He needs it enough"
Nov, mother Mayberry, it's too
bad! TOMS suit is shabby, but don't
believe he cares. One day won't make
much difference. any way; and will
help on buttOnhOles tomorrow after
noon if Prudy don't come for me to
practice that duet with herr
mo, no, dear. Never put off till 10
morrow what can be done to. day
glandma's motto, you know, wish
you would bear in mind more than you
do. There-now you mustn't say
another word-keep your thoughts on
your lesson. I shan't speak for fifteen
minutes"
At this Jennie resumed studyin g, for
she was as desirous as her mother was
for Ler to be correct in recitations. She
had been dreading this last review in
history which was to determine her
rank in scholarship. And her father
was anxious that she should stand high
at graduation. only three weeks hence.
He had even taken pains to go over
with her all the battles of the rebellion
and the events of the Franco German
war, dates were such trouble to her !;
and taught her an old meth cd of his
own for memorizing such things accu-
rately.
She went on patiently with the words
OF the book but am sorry to say her
thoughts wandered to Prudence Winn's
new dress and to q small package in
her pocket which she had not vet had
the courage-opportunit she woul'd d
have said-tO show her mother: vet.
which she must see this very evening,
if her lOng-cherished hopes were to be
fulfilled.
A pencil was needed to mark the bat
tie of the Wilderness, for her memoriz-
ing method, and in taking it from her
pocket, out came the package also.
Her pink cheeks took on q deeper hue
as she hastily snatched at it before it
fell to the floor, and there was a confus.
ed droop of her quivering eyelids before
her mothers questioning glance. Not
word was said. but Mrs Mayberry
extended her hand and Jennie dared
not ignore the unspoke'o request
What does this M can, daughter
Jordan and Marshes shop biH-6luck
silk-sanaples !" said Mrs. Mayberry.
slowly, as she unfolded the little pack
age.
IT wanted to know what it would
cost" came the reluctant words, as the
girPs 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 p"
There was no answer, and the ques
tion was repeated. But before she had
time to reply Mr.. Mayberry and Tom
my who had been busy over an hour in
the barn, looking after the comfort of
the little heifer and Nan, her mother,
and seeing that Jinks, the old roam, and
Daisy. the pony, were all 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 subject-graduation and it's
expenses-which nad been talked over
az teatlme. he said, "I've been thinking
IL all over, Jennie. 1 can't bear to
nave you feel unhappy and dissat.
listed, ann instead of giving money
for hiring music that day and even.
ing. LII let the class have the use
OF our plano-you and P rudie Winn
can play we'll enough for anybody
who'il be there. How do you like that !?
back, too"
Jennie did not answer. She had re-
covered from her confusion. and Onlv a
sickly smile showed that she had under.
stood his suggestion.
"a good idea. don't You think so.
mother?" he added with a little chirru-
py laugh, which Mrs. Mayberry an
| swered with another but hers was fore.
ed and hollow.
Tommy saw the samples of silk, still
In his mothers hand. "Something for
said.
"Oh. no, Jennie, you may as we'll tell
your father all about it," was the res
ponse, in low, sad tones"
Jennie began to cry.
Hi hi J" said her father, cheerily.
This won't do for seventeen-year.
old young lady. What's up? don't
see anything to cry about. You're get
ting nervous, sis. Too much study. I'm
afraid shall be glad when YOU get
through this terrible last term. But
you're coming out well-that's not the
trouble, hope? Let's run over the
battles again, so to be sure of them."
| And he fOOk nm tho bDoI