Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-08-14
ELIAS FIRST BALL
CHAPTER |.
BEFORE.

BEFORE.
ssThere' exclaimed Mrs. Morris, COM
ing with rush into the room where her
daughters sat at work, her ford face
redder than ever, and puckered with
vexation. sThere. I've done my best
for YOU and this is the result" She let
a couple of sovereigns fall from her hand
to the table "Papa positively refused
to give me more; and how you are to get
new trimmings and gloves and slippers
with that l should very much like to
know
ssYou should have asked that of papa,
not of us, mamma" cried Eliza Morris,
pertly.
$50 L did, child" returned her mother,
frowning at the recollection of what she
had braved for the sake of her dressy,
thoughtless daughters, land the only an
swer | got was that you should not have
any more. That you are always wanting
new finery; and on my word, girls, when
papa opened his account-book and
showed me what it had cost for your
clothes the last few months, dared not
press him more.
SOPHIE, the next III dSt 10 LIlLd, tIIcN
down her needle in pet
Whats the use of screwing and con-
irving as we have been doing, trying our
utmost to look nicer than those Prices, if
we shall have to wear our old sashes after
all?'' and 'What, indeed?'' echoed her
elder sister.
II can sponge and iron them out for
you.'' said Ella Smith. their orphan cous-
in. who. having been taken into the fam
ily out of charity was expected to help
in the nursery, teach in the schoolroom,
and ply her needle nimbly whenever the
Misses Morris called upon her to do so.
''All right; I'd rather go shabby than
not 90 at all, cried Jane, who was not
SO particular as to appearances as her
sisters
'fAnd l." retorted Sophia, ''would rath-
Crunch rather-stay at home than be
sneered at by Mrs Price and her conceit-
eG daughters.
every well" said their mother, resign
edly; ''then you had better make up your
mind to go to Mrs. Wynberg's instead
one of you will have to do so, and why
not all!"
Mammal cried the three girls in
tones of strong protest. "What do you
mean?"
"Just what 1 say; or to speak more
correctly, it is what your papa says He
considers he was laid under great obliga-
lions to the late Mr.. Wynberg, and insists
that every attention shall be paid to his
widow"
ssAh! yes; of course; but that need
not include giving up pleasant even
ing on her account" pouted Jane.
''Mrs Wynberg's is a childs party and
carpet dance,'' said Eliza. 81 hate chill
dren's parties, you are always expected
to wait on the little urchins, and romp
with them till your dress is torn and you
are tired to death, and you are supposed
to enjoy it!''
'And Mrs. Wynberg is stold old
Dutchwoman, whose friends must be
like herself, fat and foolish, and unin-
terestingl" cried Sophia, with a grimace.
'tBesides, we did not receive her invita-
ton until after aunt Emma's had been
accepted. You know, mamma, you like
us to go to Aunt Emma's, because she
has everything in such good style"
$50 | told papa" her mother replied,
still tanning her flushed face: "but he
says he promised Mrs. Wynberg that one
or two of you would 60 and help her to
amuse her young guests, and you, your
selves, must decide which it is to be.''
zone of u.s." reflected Eliza, looking
at her sisters. cit cannot be me, for
have faithfully promised to go early to
aunt Emma's, and help her arrange the
flowers on the supper-table.
''Its no use sending me, l can never
get on with children" said Sophia, just
as declsively.
'sNor II chimed in Jane eff there's
any attempt to make me the victim, l
shall have one of my headaches, and go
to bed"
sYou always are so frightfully selfish!"
grumbled Eliza. ~ don't see why Sophy
or should have to sacrifice our evening
solely because you will not. Can't you
help us out of our strait, mamma? Do
try!''
But Mrs Morris shook her head, and
declared that in papa's present mood she
dared not oppose his wishes. She was
sorry that one of her daughters must re-
linquish the gay party looked forward to
with SO much eagerness, for a humdrum,
Juvenile affair at Mrs. Wynberg's; and it
was thoughtless, very thoughtless of papa
to make promises on behalf of his daugh-
tiers without consulting them, but then,
they
Here Sophia broke in, impetueusly:
81 tell you what you shall do, mamma;
you shall send Ella instead
''To your aunt Emma's? She has
asked repeatedly how it is she never &C
companies"
''No, no; nonsense, mamma. Ella
would be quite out of place among such
fashionable people as they are; but she'd
be perfect treasure to Mrs. Wynberg.
She can play country dances, make
lemonade, console the children if they
are hurt, and so on, and that is all she'll
be wanted for. Let her go; a well-word-
ed apology for our absence and pressing