The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-04-08
Jennie's Graduation Dress.


"Gdt mother, l den't See"
"Of course Tv6 don't see, dear, but
when your father has decided, he hUs
decided, you know. Don't think any
taoro about it. Come, / can't spare you
bat fifteen minutes more. You must
help nae on Johnny's iackes=-iust the
5Uttonholes, my eyes arc SO poor"
"Why don't you get Miss Stitchgon to
make the bUttonholes?"
Don't ask me. What did your
Father say yesterday noon, and again
Just now at supper timer IF you will
make them I can get The jacket finished
tonight. He needs It enough"
Now neother Mayberry, it's too badl
Toms suit is shabby, but I don't believe
he cares One day more won't make
Hnch difference, any way; and I will
help on the buttonhoies to-InoFrew after
noon If Prudy don't coAae for me to
practice chat duet fer her"
Mo, my dear, Never put off till to-
morrow what can be done to-day
GraneRas motto, you know, wish you
woRVSd bear it in mind more than you do.
Ahere-now You mustn't say onotha
word-keep your thoughts on your lesson.
I 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 fecitations. She has
been dreadinS this last review in history,
which was to determine her rank in
scholarship. After her father was enx-
tous that she should stand high ct grad
Nation-only three weeks hence-he
had even taken pains 20 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 method of his own for memoriz-
ing such things accurately.
She went on patiently with the words
OF the book. 15nt en- sorry to say her
thoughts wondered to Prudence Winn's
new less, and to small package in
her pocket which she had not vet had
tho courage-opportunity, rho would
haVe said, to show her mother; yet which
she must see CHS very evening if her
long cherished hopes were to be full
flIed.
pencil was needed to mark the bat
tie of the Wilderness from, her memoir
lzlng method, and in taking it from her
pocket out came tho package. Her pink
c!heeks took on deeper hue as she
hastily snatched at it before it fell to the
noor, and there was confused droop of
her qulveringeyelids before her mothers
questioning glance. Not u word was
said, but Mrs. Maybefry extended her
hand, and Jennie dare not ignore the
unspoken request.
"What does this mean. daughter .
Jordan & Marsh's shop bill-black silk
--s9mples!' said Mrs. Mayberry, slowly,
as she unfolded the little package.
Il wanted to know what It would
cost, came the reluctant words, as the
GIRL 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 ? 1
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
rosn, 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 1t was
the same--graduation and expenses
which had been talked over at tea time,
he said; Eve 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 Pruo1e 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
sickly smile showed that she had under.
stood his suggestion.
ga good idea--dont You think so.
mother?" he added, with a 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 for
my new jacket trimmings, is It'll" he
asked,
.",Oh, no; Jenny, you might as well
tell your father about it." was the re-
sponse, In low, sad tones.
Jenny began to cry.
"Hil hip' said her father, cheerfully:
''this won't do for a seventeen-year-oid
young lady. What's upp l don't see
anything to cry about. You're getting
nervous, sis. Too much study. Tn
afraid. shall be glad when you gee
through this terrible last term. But
you're coming out well-that's not the
trouble, hope? Let's run over the bat
Ties again, so as 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 asked, gently.
"Those?" he asked. ''Why. what are
they? How came you by theme"
lis 1t best for Jennie to have a grad
uation suit like either of them?''
"Our Jennie? Good grandmother of
Methuselahl Our Jennie rugged out
like a tifty-year-old? YOU'RE joking,
wfep
Jennie had ceased crying and now
looked up anxiously.
Never was more in earnest, John.
well, / 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"
ut would be very serviceable," said
Jennie, meekly.
"Serviceable-how?" queried her faith
er. Your mothers dresses are always
serviceable-and they are not silk. And
then look at the cost of it. Whew |!
Ten-ffteen dollars, suppose"
''More than double that" returned
Mrs. Mayberry.
"That settles the question. No, it
will not be serviceable for my daughter
not at that price"
'.But if | get the school at Stapleton?'
asked Jennie.
"Ah! IL Time enough to talk about
silk dresses when you've money that you