The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-04-01
Jennie's Graduation Dress.


Snow, go on with your study, Jennie.
It's useless to discuss the matter.
"2ut mother, don't see"
''Of course you don't see, dear, hut
when your father has decided, nc has
decided, you know. Don't think any
more about it. Come, L 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, aud again
just now at supper time? If you will
make them | can get the jacket finished
tonight. He needs it enough"
''Now, mother Maybery, it's too badl
Toms suit is shabby, but don't believe
he cares One day more won't make
much difference, any way; and L will
help on the buttonholes o-morrow after
noon if Prudy don't come for me to
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 1t in mind more than you do.
There-now you mustn't say anothe,
word-keep yourt thoughts on your lesson.
L 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 i'll Rotations She has
been dreading 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
uation-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-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 a small package in
her pocket which she had not yet had
the courage-opportun she would
have said, to show her mother; yet which
she must see this very evening if her
long cherished hopes were to be full
filed
A pencil was needed to mark the bat
tie of the Wilderness from her memoir
izing method, and In taking it from her
pocket out came the package. Her pink
cheeks took on deeper hue as she
hastily snatched at it before it fell to the
floor, and there was confused droop of
her quivering eyelids before her mothers
questioning glance. Not word was
said, but Mrs. Mayberry extended her
hand, and Jennie dare not ignore the
unspoken request
SfWbof Hoaa fh;o x,,ao,1 Jo,xcLko~ q
Jordan & Marsh's shop bill-black silk
-samplesI said Mrs. Mayberry, slowly,
as she unfolded the little package.
81 wanted to know what it would
cost" came the reluctant words, as 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 of
the little heifer and Nan, her moth
er, and seeing that jerks, 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-graduation and expenses
which had been talked over at tea time,
he said: "I've been thinking it all over,
Jennie. / can't bear to have you feel
unhappy and dissatisfied, and instead OF
giving money for hiring music that day
and evening I'll let the class have the
use of our piano-you and Pruuie VIM
can play well enough for anybody who
will be 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 a
sickly smile showed that she had under
stood his suggestion.
"a good idea-don't you think so,
mother?" he added, with little CHR
ruppv laugh, which Mrs Mavbe,ry an
swered with another-but hers was
forced and hollow.
Tommy saw the samples of silk, still
in his mothers hand Something foi
my new jacket trimmings, is It'll" he
asked.
ooh, no; Jenny, you might as wei
tell your father about it" was the re-
spouse. in low. sod tones.
Jenny began to cry.
"Hil hiw said her father, cheerfully
''this won't do for q seventeen-year-old
young lady. What's up? l don't SEE
anything to cry about. You're getting
nervous, sig. Too much study, Tn
afraid. | shall be clad when you ge
through this terrible last term. Blu
you're coming out well--that's not tn,
trouble, hope? Let's rim over the bat
ties aoain 40 as to he sure of them.
And he took up the book which she hat
pushed aside.
Mrs. Mayberry laid the strips of sill
upon the book. "What do you think o
thoseP" she asked, gently.