The Osceola times., 1881-02-19
FANNiE'S FIRST PARTY.

Fannie was girl. Nay, more than
that, pretty girl, with blue eyes and a
fair complexion, curly hair and a dim
! pied china girl who had, moreover.
found it possible TO live fifteen very hap
| py years without once going TO a party.
Surprise parties, and afternoon and tea
gatherings, We're, of course, old acquant-
ance- OF Fannie's; but real grown up
party, party with kid gloves, refresh
ments dancing, and a band of music,
was a dream that rs vet had lain close
hidden in the bright future.
However. one warm dav in school, the
first invitation came. Fannie had been
trying to learn her history lesson, but in
side the school room seemed so warm
and close, outside the June afternoon
was So enticing, that her hands would
drop and her eyes wander away from the
dates in the reign of Queen Elizabeth to
the window the soft green Of the woods
beyond, and the white clouds that foated
overhead First above the hum of the
spelling class, and the click, click Of the
chalk on the blackboard, came muflled
ahcm, and folded scrap of white paper
tluttered down on the open pages of the
book. Fannie laid herhand quicklyover
it, and looked up in time TO catch a nod
and wink from the other side Of the
school room. Then when Miss Haskell
had resumed her walk across the plat
form, she opened the tiny miSsive and
read.
Miss FANNIE;-Therc is to be a party
TT the Judges a week from tonight. in
honor Of his niece, and all the firSt-cass
are invited. 4 real tip-top party, flow
crs, band Of music from Boston, and all.
II you are going, may ! have the pleas
uTe of being your escort? Direct to last
seat, front row, and be sure Miss Haskell
does not see you. MD.
Now Nidworth, or "Nid.' was the
handsomest boy in the school, brightest
a. well, and the greatest rogue Of all.
Md had also visited Boston, had been to
Ehe theater, and several parties, and was
supposed to know all about them; and to
receive an invitation from him was Of it.
self quite an honor. So the pink color
mantled higher than usual in Fannie's
cheeks as she tore another half-leaf from
the much-abuscd history and wrote hast.
lily in pencil;
Thank you, Md. | will let you know
this afternoon. FANNIE.
Unsuspecting Miss Haskell turned her
back jus, in time, and Fannie, coughing
slightly, threw the little message.
The next thing was quiet little talk
with mother that noon. Together they
sat down at the table, Fannie and this
dear mother, whose gray hairs were fast
coming, and for whom the happy DAYS
were over long ago, the days when, with
flowers in our hair, we 90 to dance away
the joyful hours, the days when our feet
glide easily, because they have not as yet
trodden over much Of life's pathway.
Papa will bring me the tarlatan for
my dress, you will lend me the satin
slippers. and | will carry your white fan.
Then the rest Of my little things ! can
buy down town. So ! cannot see but
what il i all arranged, mamma" said
Fannie in happy conclusion. And that
afternoon she let Md know.
After this, school became necessary
evil, to be patiently endured, and taken
much as n dose Of medicine.
Miss Fannie what is the sum of a
negative and positive quantity?' asked
Miss Haskell, in the algebra class next
day.
"Pink trimming and white rose-buds, "
dil9NNlNl NIlbN N'huE ld'lN WIN NNtli-
plary cOolness not perceiving her mis-
take until the school was convulsed.
Well, the roll of tlmsy tarlatan came
home, and mother and the machine were
busily at work. Fannie sewed in the
delicate lace that was to fall about her
throat and wrists, and down town bought
pair of creamy white kids, and three
yards of faint rose colOred ribbon, out of
which she manufactured a whole army
II pert little bows.
So the week slipped happily by, flied
with the two best possible things work
and pleasant autiCipations, and, on the
last happy evening Fannie went up stairs
tn spend an unhurried hour in dressing.
The pretty things lay strewn about her
room, and Fannie thought this delicious
hour almost as good as the party itself.
The white ruillcd dress fell and dropped
about her, delicate rs a snowflake; the
Cinderella-like slippers fitted to charm;
the tiny pink bows were all in their ap-
pointed places; and she had Just fastened
the last white rosebud in her hair, when
in came her mother with white face
and wet eyes.
"Mv child" she said, putting an arm
tenderly about Fannie, "how can ! tell
YOU. Grandma has been taken sick, and
| Dick has Just come over for your father
and |. We must 90 to her, of course
and | will send Dick back TO stay over
night with you. But now Bridget is
away, | do not see who will stay with Sue
and the baby but yourself, Fannie. Car
YOU bear TO take off all these pretty
things, my love?' said she, touching The
soft white lace, "and stay at home aite
all?'
A little sob came up in Fannie's throa
but it was sent quickly back again as sh'
answered bravely: "Ies, ma, dear, o
course; go down, and l will come in
second
The second was only that she nigh