The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-03-05
JENNIE'S GRADUATION DRESS.

"NoW go on with your studying,
Jennie. It's useless to discuss the mat
ter"
"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, can'tspare you
but fifteen minutes more. You must
help me on Johnny's jacket-iust the
button-holes, my eyes are so poor"
"Why don't you get Miss Stitchson to
make the button-holes?"
"Don't ask me. What did your father
say yesterday noon, and again just at
supper-time? If you will make them 1
can get the jacket finished tonight
He needs it enough"
"Now, mother Mayberry, it's to bad!
Toms suit is shabby, but don't believe
he cares. One day more won't make
much difference, any way; and 1
will help on the button-holes tomorrow
afternoon, if Prudy don't come for me
to practice that duet with her."
"No, no, dear. Never put off till to-
morrow what can be done to-day
Grandma's motto, you know. Iwish you
would bear it in mind more than you do.
There-now you mustn't say another
word-keep your thoughts on your
lesson. l shan't speak for fifteen min
utes."
At this Jennie resumed studying, for
she was as DESTROYS as her mother was
for her to be correct in recitations. She
had been dreading this last review in
history, which was to determine her
rank in scholarship. And her father
was anxious that she should stand high
at graduation-only three weeks hence.
He had even taken pains to 60 over with
her all the battles of the Rebellion and
the events of the Franco German war,
dates were such a trouble to her; and
taught her an old method of his own for
memorizing 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 small package in
her pocket which she had not yet had
the courage-opportumity, 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
filled.
A pencil was needed to mark the
battle Of the Wilderness for her memo
rizing method; and in taking it from her
pocket out came the package also. Her
pink cheeks took on deeper hue as
she hastily snatched at it before it fell to
the floor, and there was confused
droop of her quivering eyelids be-
fore her mothers questioning glance.
Not a word was said, but Mrs. May
berry extended her hand, and Jennie
dared not ignore the unspoken request.
"What does this mean, daughter?
Jordan and MarSb's Sbop-bM- black
Silk--samp'es :" said Mrs Mayberry,
slowly, as she unfolded the little pack
age.
:" l wanted to know what it would
cost" came the reluctant words, as the
girls nervous fingers turned and re.
turned the pages of her history. "Other
girls, lots of them, do"
"Do whatP"
"Send for samples"
"Without consulting their parents
hope not, Jennie. How could youp'
There was no answer, and the ques.
ton was repeated. But before she had
time to reply Mr.. May and Tommy
who had been busy over an hour in
the barn looking after the comfort Of
the little heifer and Nan, her mother,
and seeing that Jinks, the old roam, and
Daisy, the pony, were all right, and
everything about the premises snug and
orderly-came hurrying in. .v
Mr.. Mayberry, quick to read faces
saw that something unpleasant wa.
under consideration. Presuming it wa
the same subject-graduation and its ex
which had been talked ovel
at tea-time, he said: ''I've been think
ing 1t all over, Jennie. can't bear Il
have you feel unhappy and dissatisfied
and instead of giving money for hiring
music that day and evening I'll let tn,
class have the use of our piano-you ant
Prudie VIM can play well enough TO
anybody who'll be there. How do yol
like thatP I'll take it 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 un
derstood his suggestion.
"a good idea-don't you think SO
motherP" he added, with little chin
rupy laugh, which Mrs. Mayberry an
swered with another-but hers wa
forced and hollow.
Tommy saw the samples of silk, sti
in his mothers hand. Something 70
my new Understandings, is itP" h
asked.
"Oh, no. Jennie you might as we
tell your father all about it," was tn
response, in low sad tones.
Jennie began to cry.