Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-03-15

allOu SuIC ike 6lC0of OF G0GIu r.
sour Jenaies Good Grandmother o.
Methuselah! Our little Jennie rugged
out like fifty--yearsold? You're jok-
ing wife!"
Jennie had ceased cryi ug and now
looked up anxiOusly.
Never was more in earnest, john y
"Well, I don't pretend t,,!know about
these things. But you don'E really want
it.. do you, child? Such a gloomy
thing. Why, you ought to .,ave some
thing bright and cheerful then, il
seems to me-"
ut would be very servi ,esble." said
Jennie, meekly.
"Serviceable-h how ?" qu.ri I'D her IA
ther. "Your mothers dresses are al
ways serviceable, and they IRE not silk
And then, look at the cost of it.
Whew! Ten fifteen dollars, L suppose. u
"More than double that" returned
Mrs. Mayberry.
THAT settles the question. No; it
will not be serviceable for my daughter
not at any price,"
"But, if get the school at Staple
ton?" asked Jennie.
"Ah! If! Time enough to salk about
silk dresses when you've money that
you don't know what to ',o with. If
you do teach, you shan't begin for over
a year."
"More than half the girls of our class
will have silks for graduation, Prudy
says and"
II suppose she will; she looks like
that kind of a girl. And, as usual, her
father is going to borrow my moving
machine next summer, and the new
plough that must buy in April. No,
no, my daughter-nO black silk for you,
yet. However-let me see. I have it
now lone my of happy thoue in
tue nick of time, declared"
He drew out his pocket book, and
from its fold took several bank bills
"Mr. Simonds paid for his hay this af-
ternoon. I'm right glad to get the
money just now-was intending it for a
certain purpose, plan your mother and
I made q while ago. But I've changed
my mind within an hour, and. Jennie,
if you'll wear the same dress you have
got on now-this neat gray flannel with
| ton, you shall have every cent he paid
me-to spend as you choose"
Jennie looked troubled.
"I'u be there to see," he added.
Moreover and likewise" he continued
merrily, Tommy and will get as
many spruce trees and as much ever.
,yreen to trim the shool room as you
will accept. And mother'll lend all
b, sr plants, every fower-pot, I've no
doubt"
Certainly, with pleasure responded
Mrs Mayberry.
"rhe graduation, or commencement.
rather-for then you will really begin
your life as q woman" )" said Mr. May
berry, "ou ght to be joyful occasion.
And yet serious one, as you then lay
aside childish things and take the first
step toward the sober realities of life.
And want you to know, Jennie. 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. Lean afford
it it would not be right OF becoming"
mike Brady hasn't any overcoat,
father, because Mary's got to have a
new gown to graduate in," said Tom
my. nu.,,., .o,,,,n. to,t.
night ago that Hannah had left the
High School ON account Of the expense
of graduation" said his mother.
"Well-I suppose there are others in
4 the same box as uncle Russell express
| es it. He said to me the other day, that
I he shouldn't be able to take up his note
| as soon as be expected, next month, his
two boys school expenses " ere SO great
the last term"
'All the girls are telling me what
they shall wear, and [ thought ex-
pected-" began Jennie, in trembling
| voice.
4 Her father interrupted her, placing
the bank bills in her hand.
''Think it over night, dear. You
have had good teachers, and are fond of
them, I know, and are attached to your
Gnates. Have had many happy hours
IN the old schOol-rOonn, will wish to look
back on the last days spent there with
pleasant memories; Spend the money
lit is yours now-in way that will
give you the most delightful recollec =
ton"
sNow please, let us drop the subject" F"
said the mother, laying the samples on
her work stand, and taking up Tom
nly's Jacket. IAN 1 to have your help
on the bRtton-holes, dear ?" she added.
quietly.
Jen ME gave her bright smile, gath
cred up the bits of silk, went directly to
the stove and threw them in the fire.
''Button- holes, buttons-anythlng
you say" was her answer. as she seated
herself on the stool st her mother g
side, that both might sew at the same
time. =,
"How about your battles? Dates all
right, daughter" asked lh@ Iatner'
"Let me hear them"
She recited them slowly and correct
ly, ending with a gay laugh, and
was determined to have them ail rlgnt: >,
"And YOU have, succeeded. Add
another-victory for General Good
Sense, at May berry Point. What's tae
date?"
"Never mind. Graduation Day,
Well call it, perhaps" and having
clasped her purse with q vigorous snap,
there was twinkle of its steel rings as
she slipped it into her pocket, and then
her skillful fingers ran rapidly through
the mazes of button-hole stitch. so
Tommy's jacket was completed, and ne
was glad enough to have 1t ready 10
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 deco :
rations of evergreen and fowerlng
plants, which Mr.. Mayberr not only
provided, but assisted IN arranging.
Not one of the pupils passed more
creditably. through the exercises than
Jennie Mayberry, and certainly not
one looked prettier than she In her
modest gray dress, with pink bow 81
her throat. More than one among the
gentlemen visitors inquired who ina.
handsome girl in gray was-"And sucu
easy. charming manners" addeu some
sand such fine scholar" said others.
The music-'only Jennie May perry
,iano, and singing by the pupils" Was
liked so well that persistent encore o.
tt ne last song brought its repetition ou'
ri ng which Mr.. Mayberry, bearing !
la rye package, passed slowly up one o.
th @ crowded aisles to the teachers. plat.
fo.r. When the singing ceased. all eyes
tu, ned in expectation toward MIN as ns
cal efully unfoided large picture ITO"
its wrappings. ;+ n
TT was a fine, engraving, a portrait 0
Alb. ratam Lincoln. in beautiful lrane
I'M Y daughters gift to the scnool, - ~
mel uory of happy hours here passec'
said Mr.. Mayberry to the principal.
A. complete surprise was t9is, ano M
ever yoody seemed astonisheo At .ne
genel uus gift. In few words MI. may
IF ito nnTC0aS6