The Russellville Democrat., 1881-02-03
FANNIE'S FIRST PARTY.

|
 Fannie was a girl. Nay, more than that a pretty girl, with blue eyes and a
 fair complexion, curly hair and dim pied china girl who had, moreover, | found it possible to live fifteen very hap | py years without once going to party. | Surprise parties, and afternoon and tea gatherings, were, of course, old acquaint- | anees of Fannie's; but real grown up | party, a party with kid gloves, refresh ments, dancing, and a band of music, | was dream that as yet had lain close hidden in the bright future However, one warm day in school, the l 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 hoated overhead. First above the hum of the spelling class, and the click, click of the
 chalk on the blackboard, came a untitled
 ahem, and a folded scrap of white paper tluttered down on the open pages of the book. Fannie laid herhand quickly over | 1t, and looked up in time to catch 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:
 Mss FANNIE:-There is to be a party at the Judges week from tonight, in honor of his niece, and all the first-class are invited. A real tip-top party, flow
 CTS, band of music from Boston, and all. If you are going, may l have the pleas
 ure of being your escort? Direct to last seat, front row, and be sure Miss Haskell
 does not see you. ND.
 Now Nidworth, or ''Nid." was the
 handsomest boy in the school, brightest as we'll, and the greatest rogue of all.
 Mid had also visited Boston, had been to the 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 halEleaf from the much-abused history and wrote hast fly in pencil
 Thank you, Mid l will let you know this afternoon. FANNIE.
 Unsuspecting Miss Haskell turned her
 back just 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 go to dance away the joyful hours, the days when our feet glide easily, because they have not as yet trodden over much of lifes 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 I can buy down town. So l cannot see but what 1t IS all arranged, mamma" said Fannie in happy conclusion. And that afternoon she let Mid know.
 Alter this, school became necessary evil, to be patiently endured, and taken much as a 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," answered that young lady with exem- plary cOolness, not perceiving her mis- take until the school was convulsed.
 We'll, the roll of flimsy tarlatan came home, and mother and the machine were busily at work. Fannie sewed in the delicate lace that was 10 fall about her throat and wrists, and down town bought a pair of creamy white kids, and three yards Of tint rose colored ribbon, out of which she manuiacturered q whole army Of pert little bows.
 So the week slipped happily by, filled with the two best possible things, work and pleasant anticipations, and, on the last happy evening Fannie went up stairs to 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 l The white 1ltlcd dress fell and drooped | about her, delicate as a snowflake; the | slippers fitted to a 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 l lin came her mother with white face and wet eyes
 My child" she said, putting an arm tenderly about Fannie "how can l tell | you. Grandma has been taken sick, and | lick has just come over for your father | and l. We must go 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 She | and the baby but yourself Fannie. Can | you bear to take off all these pretty | things, my love7" said she, touching the | soft white lace, "and stay at home after all?"
 A little sob came up in Fannie's throat but 1t was sent quickly back again as she | answered bravely: "Yes, ma, dear, of | course; go down, and I will come in a second"
 The second was only that she might ]