The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-04-01

nation suit like either of them?" -
"Our Jennie? Good grandmother OF
Methuselahl Our Jennie rugged out
like tifty-year-old9 You're joking,
wfer
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-"
'It would be very serviceable," said
Jennie, meekly.
rviceable-how?" queried her faith
er. "Yom mothers dresses are always
serviceable--and they are not silk. And
then look at the cost of it. Whew
Ten-ffeen dollars, suppose" i.
"More than double that" returned
Mrs. Mayberry. 1sa =.
''That settles the question. No, it
will not he seryiceable for my daughter
hot Mt that price.
"But if get the school at Stapleton?"
asked Jennie.
'.Ah! III Time enough to ELK about
silk dresses when you've money that you
don't know what to do with. If you do
teach, you shan't begin for over year. !"
"More than half the girls in our class
will have silks for graduation, Pruey
says. and"
II suppose she will; she looks like that
kind of girl. And, as usual, her father
is going to borrow my moving machine
next summer. and the new pillow L must
buy in April. No, no daughter-no
black silk for You yet. However-let me
see. / have it nowl One of my happy
thoughts--just in the nick of time, de-
clare!''
He drew out his pocket-book, and
from it's folds took several bank bills.
"Mr. Simonds raid for his hav this aft
ernoon. I'm right glad to get the money
Just now-was intending it for n certain
purpose, q plan your mother and made
q while ago. But I've changed my
mind within an hour. and, Jennie, il you
will wear the same dress you 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 as you choose.
JENNIE looked troubled.
'I'll be there to see," he added.
Moreover and likewise, he continued
merrily. Tommy and / will get as many
spruce trees and as much evergreen to
trim the school room as you will accept.
And mother'll lend all her plants, every
hower-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. Mayberry.
Ought to be joyful occasion. And
vet serious and thoughtful one, as You
then lay aside childish things and take
the first step toward the sober realities
of life. And L want you to know, Jen-
ME, that the first step will have much to
10 in determining your future course.
Don't begin with show and extravaganza
then--even if you-that is, lean 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 a 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, as Uncle Russell expresses
it. He said to me the other day that he
should not be able to take mp his note as
soon as he expected, next month; his two
boys school expenses are so 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, know, and are attached to
your mates; have had many happy hours
in the old school-room; will wish TO look
back OH the last days spent in there with
pleasant memories Spend the money
it is yours now--in away that will 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 mp Tommy's
jacket. cam to have your help ON the
button-holes, dear?' she added, quietly.
Jennie gave her a bright smile, gathered
up tllc DltS Vi Blk, WeuL ulreCtly I'd Tic
stove and threw them in the fire.
''Buttonholes, buttons-anything you
say" was her answer, as she seated her
self on stool Mt her mothers side, that
both might sew ut the same time.
"How about your battles? Dates all
right, daughter?' asked her father.
'Let me hear them"
She recited them slowly and correctly,
ending with a gay laugh, and-"I was
determined to have them right"
"And you have succeeded. Add an
other-a victory for General Good-Sense
at Mayberry point. What's the date?"
"Never mind. Graduation day, we'll
call it, perhaps" and having elapsed her
purse with a vigorous snap, there was n
twinkle of its steel rings as she slipped it
into her pocket; and then her skillful
fingers ran rapidly through the mazes Of
hnttonhole 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