The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-03-17
Jennie's Graduation Dress,

NOW, go on with your study, Jennie.
It's useless 10 discuss the matter"
"But mother, don't see"
''Of course you don't see, dear, but
when your father has decided, he has
decided, you know. Don't think any
more about it. Come, 1 can't spare you
but fifteen minutes more. You must
help me ON Johnny's jacket-just the
buttonholes, my eyes are so poor"
"Why don't you get Miss Stitchson to
make the buttonholes?"
Don't ask me. What did your
father say yesterday noon, and again
just now at supper time? If You will
make them / can get the jacket finished
tonight. He needs it enough"
Now, mother Mayberry, it's too badl
Toms suit is shabby, but don't believe
he cares. One day more won't make
much difference, any way; and will
help on the buttonholes tomorrow after
noon il Prudy don't come for me to
practice that duet for her."
"No, my dear. Never put off till to-
morrow what can be done to-day
Grandma's motto, you know, / wish you
would bear it in mind more than you do.
There-now you mustn't say smother
word-keep your thoughts on your lesson.
shan't speak for fifteen minutes.
At this Jennie resumed studying, for
she was as desirous as her mother was for
her TO be correct in recitations. She has
been dreading this last review in history,
which was TO determine her rank in
scholarship. After her father was anx-
ious that she should stand high at grad
uation-only three weeks hence-he
had even taken pains 10 go over with her
events of the 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. But am sorry to say her
thoughts wandered to Prudence Winn's
new dress, and to a small package in
her pocket which she had not yet had
the courage-opportunity, she would
have said, to show her mother; yet which
she must see this very evening if her
long cherished hopes were to be full
filed.
A pencil was needed TO mark the bat
tie Of the Wilderness from her memor-
izing method, and in taking it from her
pocket out came the package. Her pink
cheeks took on O deeper hue as she
hastily snatched at it before it fell to the
floor, and there was q confused droop OF
her quivering eyelids before her mothers
questioning glance. Not O word was
said, but Mrs. Mayberry extended her
hand, and Jennie dare not ignore the
unspoken request.
"What does this mean, daughter
Jordan & Marsh's shop bill-black silk
-samplesl" said Mrs. Mayberry, slowly,
as she unfolded the little package.
81 wanted to know what it would
cost" came the reluctant words, as tho
girls nervous fingers turned and re
turned the pages Of her history. "Othel
girls, lots Of them, do"
"Do what?"
"Send for samples"
without consulting their parents?
hope not, Jennie. How could you?"
There was no answer, and the question
was repeated. But before she had tim,
TO reply Mr.. Mayberry and Tommy
who had been busy over an hour in tn,
barn looking after the comfort O
the little heifer and Nan, her moth
er, and seeing that jerks, the ole
roam, and Daisy, the pony, were al
right, and every thing about the premises
snug and orderly-cameh hurriedly in.
Mr.. Mayberry, quick to read faces
saw that something unpleasant wa.
under consideration. Presuming it wa
the same-graduation and expenses
which had been talked over at tea time
he said: i've been thinking it all over
Jennie. can't bear TO have you fee
unhappy and dissatisfied, and instead o
giving money for hiring music that da,
and evening I'll let the class have tn,
use Of our piano-you and Prudie VIM
can play well enough for anybody VIII,
will be there. How do you like that
I'll take 1t 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.
"a good idea-don't you think &C
mother" he added, with little chii
ruppy laugh, which Mrs. Mayberry ar
swecd with another-but hers wa
forced and hollow.
Tommy saw the samples of silk. sti
IN his mothers hand. Something fc
my new jacket trimmings, is itp'
asked.
''Oh, no; Jenny, you might as we
tell your father about it," was the n
sPonse, in low, sad tones.
jenny began TO cry.
''Hil hi!' said her father, cheerful,
''this won't do for n seventeen-year-o
young lady. What's up? / don't s,
anything TO cry about. You're gettir
nervous, sis. Too much study, T.
afraid. 1 shall be glad when you q
through this terrible last term. b,
you're coming out well-that's not Il
trouble, 1 hope? Let's run over the ba
ties again, so as to be sure Of them
And he took up the book which she hi
pushed aside.
Mrs. Mayberry laid the strips Of 81
upon the book. "What do you think
those?" she asked, gently.
'Those?' he asked. "why, what a
they? How came you by them?"
lis it best for Jennie to have a gra
uation suit like either of them?"
"Our Jennie? Good grandmother
Methuselahl Our Jennie rigged O
like a fifty-year-old? You're jokin
wfep
Jennie had ceased crying and nc
looked up anxiously.
Never was I more in earnest, John
"Well, I don't pretend to know abo
these things But you don't really wa
il. do You, child? Such gloomy thin
Why, you ought TO have somethil
bright and cheerful then, it seer
to me-"
at would be very serviceable," sc
Jennie, meekly.
'Serviceable-how?' queried her fat
er. Your mothers dresses are alwa
serviceable--and they are not silk. Al
then look at the cost of it. Whe,
Ten-ffteen dollars, suppose"
More than double that" return,
Mrs. Mayberry.
THAT settles the question. No,