Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-09-01
HOW THEY HELPED HER.

81 can't afford it, Celia. | wish L
could; but the dress alone would cost
fifteen dollars, to say nothing of the
trimmings and the dressmaker's bill"
Cant we manage to make it our
selves, mother? The pattern that Miss
Bowen cut for me fits beautifully, and
I'm sure that we can make it as nicely
as any one, if we try. Mr.. Dunstan is
coming to take possession of Dunstan
Hall in two weeks. He is young,
wealthy and unmarried; he will call
here, of course, as father has superin-
tended the repairs at the hall, and has
had the care of things since his uncle's
death. Don't you suppose that father
can add little more to the amount al
ready in your possession? So much de-
pends on my having something nice
and becoming to wear, and on my max
ing fine appearance during the next
few weeks"
"I know it," replied her mother,
with weary sigh "but I've only the
twenty-five dollars with which to get
you and Pet each dress. know that
your father can't spare another cent
this month, and wouldn't think of ask
ing him for it. If you get the dress you
lho'O oSo youi upOh IL Will
take, ut the very least calculation,
twenty dollars for dress material, lace
and buttons, even if we make it our
selves. This would leave only five dol
lars for Pets dress"
Little Mrs. Haywood emptied the
contents of her purse in her lap as she
spoke, and carefully counted the shin
ing silver pieces once more, vainly hop
ing to find that she had been mistaken
lin the amount it contained. She turned
the purse upside down, and shook it
vigorously; she pinched and patted its
empty sides, in order to make sure that
no stray dimes had slipped between the
outside and the lining. Her efforts
were of no avail however. Count the
little pile as often as she might, it al
ways summed up twenty-five dollars
and three cents.
pets only little girl, and it won't t
be SO serious amatter ii she ism dressed
handsomely began Miss Celia, ap-
pealingly. Then drawing her chair
closer to her mothers, lowering her
voice and glancing apprehensively
around, she added: 81 have passed
my twenty-sixth birthday, you know,
and must catch husband this sum.
mer, if ever intend to. Pet will look
very nice in pretty calico"
..'You bet she willI' came like small
blast from behind the sofa.
Miss Celia gave terrified scream, n.
great, brown ball rolled out into tn,
room, and unfolded itself like a man
moth jack-knife.
First, two bare, sunburned feet were
thrust out, then head and arms be
came visible, and finally the small ter
ror of the household-viz., the little
brother-assumed a sitting posture, and
eyed his lady sister with twinkling
elfish eyes.
81 always thought that you's long
time a-gettin' past twenty. Pet and I've
had six birthdays since you've had Q
single one," he began, laughing i'm
moderately; "an' you've always had 9
dreadfully old look for your age, too.''
''Dickn' said Miss Celia, turning upon
him so suddenly that in trying to dodge
the expected blow he turned double
somersault and landed in heap neal
the door.
The young lady's features assumed q
meditative expression, and when she
again addressed him her tones were
soft and persuasive.
"rm going to trust you, Dickie, witt
great secret In fact, Pm going tc
make confdant of you, and I'll buy
you pint of peanuts the next time
go to town If you will find Pet and come
with her to the maple-tree in about hal
an hour.''
"I'll do itr' he cried, springing III
like arubber ball, and darting out O
the room with surprising agility.
"a whole pint o peanuts for jest go
ing out to the maple-tree," he solilo
quized. "Crackey! amt she a-gittin
generous in her old agep Said She
a-goin' to make confdant O. me. Now
she needn't think Pm a-goin' to jim,
the church. for shan't do it. The min
lister baptized six confdents last Sunday
but 'twould take more'n one pint O pea
nuts to get me into the water with my
best breeches on. They'd never be ii
to be seen after that, an don't get new
duds so often that can afford to spill,
'em just to please her."
''Mother,n remarked Miss Celia, Sc
liously, after Dicks exit 81 am goinl
to engage both the children to assist m
this time. They have been the mean
of spelling my matrimonial prospect
several times in the past l think, !
they understand matters at the start
they will be more careful this time
They will be only too glad to have IN
married and settled in a home of m
own"
"Yes." sighed Mrs. Haywood, fain,
Iy, as her daughter paused and SCENE
10 expect reply.
You may make arrangements to &c
the dress for me- she added, as sh
arose to kept the appointment under tn
maple-trce. "Pct will be glad enoug
10 wear calico one more summer, wlie
she understands the state of affairs"
Dick and Pet were under the mapl
as Celia approached. and that youn
lady could not help admiring the fresl
piquant face Of her "little sister,"
she had always called her. but someho
the little sister seemed uncommonly In
and womanly on this especial Afternoon
She was seated in careless grace vi
der the maple-tree. weaving a chain
blossoms with which 10 ornament Dick
hat.
"What is II, Cellar" cried Pet, as h,
sister drew near. "Are you really q
ing 10 get married at lastP and will yc
let me make the wedding -cakeP'
Yes. II youn both promise to he
me-" Celia began ~ might ha,
Leon married long ag0, II II hadn't beS