St. Landry democrat., 1882-09-09
HOW THEY HELPED HER.


could; but the dress alone would cost
fifteen dollars. to say nothing of the
trimmings and the dressmakers bill" "
Can 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 possession9 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"
Il 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
have set your heart upon having it will
take, at 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, yainly hop
ing to find that she had been mistaken
in 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.
''Pet's only little girl, and it won t
be so serious a matterif she isn't dressed
handsomely" began Miss Celia, ap-
pealingly. Then drawing her chair
closer to her mothers, lowering her
voice and glancing apprehensively
around, she added: II have passed
my twenty-sixth birthday, you know,
and / must catch husband this sum-
mer, if / ever intend to. Pet will look
yery nice in a pretty calico.'
..You bet she will!'' came like small
blast from behind the sofa.
Miss Celia gave terrified scream, as
a great, brown ball rolled out into the
room, and unfolded itself like man.
moth jack-knife.
First, two bare, sunburned feet were
thrust out. then a head and arms be-
came Wis BILE, and finally the small ter
ror of the household the little
brother-as assumed sitting posture, and
eyed his lady sister with twinkling,
elfish eyes.
Il always thought that you's a long
time a-gettin' ! asst twenty. Pet and L We
had six birthdays since you've had a
single one,' he began, laughing inn
moderately; "an' you've always had a
] dreadfully old look for your age, too. !"
..Dick..n said Miss Celia. turning upon
him SO suddenly that in trying to dodge
the expected blow he turned double
somersault and landed in heap near
the door.
The young lady's features assumed a
medifative expression, and when she
again addressed him her tones were
soft and persuasive.
Pm going to trust you, Dickie, with
a great secret In fact, I'm going to
make contidant of you, and I'll buy
you a pint of peanuts the next time
20 to town if you will find Pet and come
with her to the maple-tree in about half
an hour
.ru do itr' he cried, springing up
ike a rubber ball, and darting out Of
the room with surprising agility.
"a whole pint O peanuts for jest 60
ing out to the maple-tree," he solilo-
.auized. ..Crackey! ssin't she a-gittin'