The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1881-03-18
Jennie's Graduation Dress.


"Now, go on with your study, Jennie.
It's useless TO 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, L can't spare you
but fifteen minutes more You must
help me ON Johnnys jacket--iust 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 mt supper time? If you will
make them L 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 L viii
help on the buttonholes tomorrow after
noon if Prudy don't come for me to
practice that duet for her. .
"No, my dear. Never pat off tiA to-
morrow what can be done to-day
Grandma's motto, you know, l wish you
would bear it in mind more than you do
There-now you mustn't say another
word keep your thoughts on your lesson.
/ shan't speak for fifteen minutes.
At this Jennie resumed studying, for
she was as DESTROYS as her mother was for
her to be correct in rotations. 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 TO go over with her
all the battles of the rebellion and the
events of the Franco 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 VIM
new dress, and to small package in
her pocket which she had not vet had
the courage-opportun 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
tile of the Wilderness from her meTnor-
izing method, and in taking it from her
pocket out came the package. Her pink
cheeks took on a deeper hue as She
hastily snatched at il before it fell to the
floor, and there was a confused droop of
her quiyering eyelids before her mothers
Questioning glance Not a word was
said, but Mrs. Mayberry extended her
hand, and Jennie dare not ignore the
unspoken request
's''What does this mean, daughter ?
Jordan & Marsh's shop bill-blaclS silk
Asamplesr said Mrs. Mayberrv. slowly,
as she unfolded the little package
81 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.
fe''Do what?'
'sSend 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 time
10 reply Mr.. Mayberry. and Tommy
who had been busy over an hour in the
barn looking after tho comfort of
the little .heifer and Nan, he r moth
er, and seeing that jerks, the old
roam. and Daisy the pony, were all
tight, aBdfeverything about tue premises
shng and. orderly camehurriedly.in
Mr.. Mayberry, quick to, read faces,
saw that something unpleasant was
under consideration. Presenting it was
ssthe same graduation and expenses
which had been talked over atatea time,
hshe said. 1--WE been thinking it all over,
Jennie. 1 can't bear to have you feel
unhappy and dissatisfied. and instead of
giving money for hiring music that day
and evening /, II let the class. have the
use of our piano-you and PrIJoie Vim
can play we'll enough for anybody who
will be there. How do you like that
Illtake it to the school house and back,
stoo.ps ~ 4 81
Jennie did not answer. She had re-
covered frem her confusion, and only a
sickly smile showed that she had under
stood his suggestion.
"a good idea-Adon't you think so
motller2i' he added, with little CHR
ruppy laugh, which Mrs Mayberry an
severed with another=but hers wa.
forced and hollow
Tommy saw the samples of silk, still
in,his mothers. hand. Something TO
my new jacket trimmings, is itp' h
"Oh, no; Jenny. YOU might rs wei
tell Your father about it" was the re
spouse, in low, sad tones.
Jenny began to cry.
"Hil hi!n said her father. cheerfullS
"this won't do for a seyenteen-year- oil
young lady What's up? l. don't Sc
anything to cry about. You're gettin
nervous, sis Too much study, ii
afraid. l shall be glad when YOU e
through this terrible last term. Bu
you're coming out well-that's not I'll
trouble, hope? Let's run over the ba
Ties again, SO as to be sure of them.
And he took up the book which she ha
pushed aside
Mrs. Mayberry laid the strips of sill
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 o gra,
uation suit like either of them?"
"Our Jennie? Good grandmother
Methuselahl Our Jennie rugged OF
like. a fifty-year-old? You're joking
wife ~
Jennie had ceased crying and no
looked up anxiously
s'Never was / more in earnest. John
"Well, don't pretend to know abo,
these things. But You don't really wal
it, do you, chiid?- Such gloomy thin,
Why, you ought to- have somethin
bright and cheerful then, it seen
to me. -
'It would be very serviceable,' sa
Jennie, meekly.
"Seryiceable-how?s queried her fail
er. "'Your mothers dresses are alwa,
serviceable-and they are not silk. An
then look at the cost of it. Whew
sTen-fffeen dollars, suppose.
More than double that, - returne
Mrs. Mayberry.
NtsThat settles the question. No,