The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-03-31

says, and
Il suppose she will; she looks like tha
kind Of girl. And, as usual, her father
is going to borrow my moving machine
next summer. and the new pillow I mus
buy in April. No, no daughter--nt
black silk for You yet. However-let ms
see. have II now! One Of my happy
thoughts-just in the nick Of time, de-
clarel''
He drew out his pocket-book, and
from its folds took several bank bills.
"Mr. Simonds. paid for his hay this aft
ernoon. I'm right glad to get the money
just now-was intending it for certain
purpose, plan your mother and I made
q while ago. But I've changed my
mind within an hour. and, Jennie, il you
will wear the same dress yon have on
now-the neat gray flannel with the
pretty pink neck-tie-at the graduation,
you shall have every cent he paid me-
to spend ~ you choose.
Jennie looked troubled.
I'll be there to see," he added.
Moreover and likewise he continued
merrily, Tommy and I will get as many
spruce trees and as much evergreen "a
trim the school room a. You will accept.
And motherll lend all her plants, every
fower-pot, I've no doubt"
Certainly, with pleasure, responded
Mrs. Mayberry.
THE graduation, or commencement,
rather-for then you will really begin
yourlife as woman, say Mr.. Maybcrry,
fought to be joyful occasion. And
yet serious and thoughtful one, as you
then lay aside childish things and take
the first step toward the sober realities
Of life. And want You to know, Jen-
ME, that the first step will have much to
do in determining 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,
father, because Mary's got to have new
gown to graduate in said Tommy.
And Mrs. Drayton told me q fort
night ago that Hannah had left the high
school on account Of the expense Of
graduation" said his mother.
well, | suppose there are others in
the same box, rs Uncle Russell expresses
it. He said to me the other day. that he
should not he able to take mp his note as
soon as he expected, next month; his two
boys school expenses are 80 great this
last term"
'.All the girls are telling what they
shall wear, and ! thought expected
~" began Jennie in . trembling voice.
Her father interrupted her, placing the
bank bills in her hand. /.
Think it over tonight, dear. You
have had good teachers and you are fond
of them, I know, and are attached to
your mates; have had many happy hours
in the cid school-room; will wish to look
back on the last days spent in there with
pleasant memories. Spend the money
it is yours now-in way that viii give
you the most delightful recollection.
'.Now, please, let us drop the subject"
said her mother, laying the samples on
her work-stand, and taking up Tommy's
jacket. Am to have your help on the
button-holes, dear?' she added, quietly.
Jenniegave her brightsmile, gathered
up the bits Of silk, went directly to the
stove and threw them in tho fire.
''Buttonholes, buttons-anything you
say" was her answer, as she seated her
self on stool at her mothers side, that
both might sew at the same time.
''How about your battles? Dates Ill
right, daughter?" asked her father.
Let me hear them.'
She recited them slowly and correctly,
ending with gay laugh, and-'I was
determined to have them right"
"And Won have succeeded. Add an
other-a victory for General Good Sense
at Mayberry point. What's the date?"
"Never mind Graduation day, wen
call it, perhaps" and having elapsed her
purse with vigorous snap, there was
twinkle Of its steel rings - she slipped it
into her pocket! and then her skillful
fingers ran rapidly through the mazes Of
buttonhole stitches. So Tommy's jacket
was completed, and he WAS glad enough
to have it ready to wear the next day.
Graduation day was remarkably fair
for March. The school -room was crowd
ed with the parents and friends of the
pupils. Everybody admired the decora-
tons Of evergreen and Towering plants,
which Mr.. Mayberry not only provided,
but assisted in arranging.
Not one Of the pupils passed moro
creditably through the exercises than
Jenny Mayberry, and certainly not ono
looked prettier than she in her modest
gray dress, with . pink bow at her
throat. More than one among the gen.
tlemen visitors inquired who that hand
some girl in gray was--"And such easy,
charming manners" added some. ssAnd
such fine scholar" said others.
The mnsic--only Jenny Mayberry's
piano and singing by the pupils-was
liked so well that . persistent encore of
tho last song brought its repetition,
during which Mr.. Mayberry, bearing !
large package, passed slowly up one Of
the crowded aisles to the teachers plat
form. When the singing ceased, all
eyes turned in expectation toward him ~
he carefully unfoldeda large picture from
it wrappings.
It was = fine engraving, portrait Q
Abraham Lincoln, in beautiful frame.
my daughters gift to the school, in
memory Of the pleasant hours here
passed" said Mr.. Mayberry to the prin.
cipal.
4 complete surprise was this, and
everybody seemed astonished at the gen
erous gift. In few words Mr.. May
berry told the story Of its purchase
Then it was hung on the wall back Of the
teachers desk.
And that is the way that the change in
the graduation exercises Of the High
School ct Mayberry Point was brought
about, and why the pupils wear their
everyday dresses, and furnish their own
music, and make the decorations them
selves for that occasion. The reason,
too. that there is always such . large
class to graduate, and that there is less
love of dress and finery among the younn
people Of the place, and such good books
in its school library, and SO many picture,
on the school-room walls, and those two
Rogers groups in corners. Eng.
land Farmer.
Inauguration Days.
There seems to be o general belief
that Gen. Garfield was the FIST Of on,
Presidents to go into Office on Friday
he was really the third, both John
Quincy Adams and Franklin Pierce hay
| ING had that distinction. To settle fhf