The Red Cloud chief., 1881-04-07

father. "Your mothers dresses are
always s~erviceeble, end they are noi
silk. And then look - the cost Of il.
Whew! Ten-fdeen dollars, I sup
pose"
"More than double that," returned
Mrs. Mayberry.
"That settles the question. No, II
will not be ~serviceable for my daughter
mot at that price"
"But il I get the school at Stapleton' ~
asked Jennie.
"Ah! D Time enough 10 talk
about silk dresses when you've money
that you don't know what TO do with. II
you do teach you shan't begin for over
. yesr."
"More than half the girls in our class
will have silks for graduation, Prudy
says. and"
al suppose abe viii; she looks like
that kind Of . girl. And, As usual, her
father is going to borrow my moving
machine next summer. and the new
plow that / must buy in April. No, no.,
daughter no black silk for you vet.
Howeyer-let me see I have it now!
One Of my happy thoughts-just in the
nick OF time, / declared"
He drew out his pocket-book, and
from Its folds took several bank bills.
"Mr. Simonds paid for his hay this
afternoon. I'm right glad to get the
money just now-was intending Il for q
certain purpose, q plan your mother
and ] made a while ago. But I've
changed my mind within an hour, and,
Jennie, IL you'll wear the same dress
you have on now-this neat gray flannel
with the pretty pink neck-tie-at the
graduation, you shall have every cent he
paid me-to spend a. you choose"
Jennie looked troubled. 3
"Irl be there to see,'' he added.
Moreover and likewise" he continued,
merrily, Tommy and I will get as
many spruce trees and - much ever.
green TO trim sthe school-room as ron
viii accept. And mOtherT lend al
her plants, every hower-pot, I've no
doubt"
Certainly. with pleasure respond
ed Mrs. Mayberry.
1.-THE graduation, or commencement,
ra~ther-for then you will really begin
your life as o woman" said Mr.. May
berry, sought to be a joyful occasion.
And yet a serious and thoughtful one,
as you then lay aside childish things
and take the first step toward the sober
realities Of life. And l want YOU to
know, Jennie, that that first step will
have much to do in determining your fu-
ture course. Don't begin with show and
extravaganza then, even il you-that is,
lean afford it; it would not be right
or becoming"
mike Brady hasn't any o~vercoat,
father, because Mary's got to have a new
gown to graduate in" said Tommy.
"And Mrs. Drsyton told me a fort
night ago that Hannah had left the High
School on account Of the expense Of
graduation" said his mother.
Well suppose there are others Sin
the same box rs Uncle Russell en-
presses it. He said to me the other day
that he shouldn't be able to take up his
note rs Don as he expected, next month,
his two boys school expenses are SO
great this last term."
"All the girls are telling what they
shall wear, and l thought ex.
pected-" began Jennie, in a trembling
voice.
Her father interrupted her, placing
the bank-bills in her hand.
"Think of it over night, dear. You
have had good teachers. and you are
fond of them, l know, and are attached to
your mates. Have had many happy
hours i'm the old schoolroom; will wish |
to look back on the last days spent there
with pleasant memories. Spend the
mOney-it is yours nOw-in a way that
will give you the most delightful recol-
lection"
SNOW, please, let us drop the SUBJ
said her mother, laying the sam.
Piles on her work-stand, and taking up
jacket. cam I to have your
help on the button-holes, dear:?" she
quietly.
Jennie gave her a bright smile, gath.
cred up the bits of silk, went directly to
The stove and threw them in the fire.
"Button-holes, buttons-anything you
say" was her answer, as she seated her.
self on a stool at her mothers side, that
both might sew at the same time.
"How about your battles? Dates al
asked her father. "Let me
hear them"
She recited them slowly and correctly,
with a gay laugh, and-"I was
to have them right"
"And you have succeeded. Add an
victory for General Good
,ense. at Mayberry Point. What's the
i,
"Never mind. Graduation Day, wen
all it, perhaps" and having clasped
her purse with a vigorous snap, there
Vas q tinkle of its steel rings as she
it into her pocket; and then her .
fingers ran rapidly through the
nazes of button-hole stitch. SO Tom
ny's jacket was completed, and he was !,
Had enough to have it ready to wear
he next day. /,
Graduation Day was remarkably fair /,
or March. The school-room was crowd 4.
d with the parents and friends of the ,
'upils. Everybody admired the decor Z
tions of evergreens and Towering
,lants, which Mr.. Mayberry not only
provided, but assisted in arranging.
Not one of the pupils passed more
reditably through the exercises than
ennie Mayberry, and certainly not one I
,Oked prettier than she in her modest S
ray dress, with q pink bow at her G
hroat. More than one among the gen. b
visitors inquired who that hand b
ome girl in gray was-"And such easy, d
harming manners, added some. Sand t
lch a fine scholar" said others. C
The music-''only Jennie Mayberry's C
iano. and singing by the ~pupils"-was P
ked so well that q persistent encore of O
last song brought. its repetition Il
uring which Mr.. Mayberry, bearing q t
'rge package, passed slowly up one of p
he crowded aisles to the teachers plat r
'rm. When the singing ceased, all u
res turned in expectation toward him il
he carefully uhfolded q large picture n
ON its wrappings. a
1t was a fine engraving, in q beautiful .
anne. ''My daughters gift to the II
;hool, in memory Of pleasant hoarsfr'
ere passed" said Mr.. Mayberry to the
rincipal. 5
A complete surprise was this, and
'erybody seemed astonished At the Eo]
snerous gift. In q few words Mr.. Eu
ayberry told the story OF its purchase. 4