The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-06-16


GRANDPAPA'S OLD COAT.
"only-onoAsilk and that not new !
Dear me, dear me, it is dreadful ! and
Aunt Grayson. caught up the pretty
bodice of the garment in question, and
gave it spiteful little shake. kathie,
hemming ruffles by the window,
laughed
"What can't be. helped must. be en-
dured there's no help for it auntie, -
3 she said. 80 go
YES, there was help for 1T, Y cried
the lady, tossing the bodice from her,
"if you had taken my advice; but YOU
must go and act like a simpleton ! The
idea of girl of your age giving away
her hard earnings, and then getting mar
ried without decent change of clothingl
I declare it is too absurd And you are
making such a good match, tool Charles
Montague, comes of one of the best
families in the country, and he'll be rich
one of these days, though he may be
poor at the start, and you, having as
good as thrown your money away, can
contribute nothing-not even able to
buy yopr own clothes, which every wife
ought to do"
''At which time, let us hope, my
said Kathie, merrily. b.
Her aunt frowned contemptuously.
but what ere you to do now ?" she
went on. What do you think Mrs.
Montague, of Oalxlands, will think of
you, when she sees your outfit ?"
mot one whit less than she thinks of
me to- day." answered Kathie, stoutly,
cor should be greatly mistaken in my
estimate of her character" E
Mrs. Grayson laughed in scorn.
"You poor little simpletcn Wait
until you know the world as / know it,
and you'll change your tune. tell you,
Kathie, appearance is everything. Your
bridegroom himself will feel ashamed of
you when he sees you in the midst of
his stately sisters, in the grand rooms of
Oakland"
Kathie WINGED, but she answered
bravely :,'sI don't think Charlie will
ever feel ashamed Of me, or / should
give him up to-day"
. Wait until he sees you in your
shabby garments.
I" Shabby garments - said Kathie.
opening her bright brown eyes. "AIy
garments are not shabby, auntie. Z am
quite sure never looked shabby in my
whole life." - sr1rfF
az Mrs Grayson glanced at the trim,
graceful little figure. The close-fitting
blue merino was faultless; the linen
fcuffs and collars were as spotless as
snow. Kathie Was right ;-yshe never
looked shabby. Her garments seemed
to be part and parcel of herself, like
the glossy feathers and black tuft of
canary. Yet these garments were usually
made of all sorts of odds and ends, for
Kathie was poor, and obliged to be
Rnt oh
sessed of that tact, or talent, or what
eyer it may be called, which is more to a
woman than beauty or fortune: en-
abling her by the mere skill of her will
ing fingers and artist soul, TO make life,
her home, her own person, "a thing of
beauty and JOY forever"
Mrs. Grayson, Kathie's weH-to-do
aunt, with daughters of her own. who
trailed their silks in the dust and ttlm-
bled their laces and plumes and looked
dowdy all the while, regarded the trim
little figure by the window with half
admiring, half contemptuous smile.
You are rather pretty girl, Kathie, :"
continued her aunt, "and you under
stand the art of getting yourself up in
good style. What you've got will do
swell enough, perhaps. but there's so lit
tie of it. Your bridal outfit is shameful
What will you do for carriage dresses,
and dinner dresses, and evening dresses,
when you are Charles wife {? Why,
when was bride had everything
round dozen of silks of every hne, pop
Inns, merinoes, tissues, and a half dozen /
sorts of wraps. didn't go to James
Grsyson bare Of clothes, 1 tell you"
Kathie said nothing for a moment,
but bent over her ruffies, her bright
eyes dim with tears then answering,
"You may we'll say that, aunt; but is IL
kind that you should tantalize me, when
you know that Your father was rich
man, while mine was poor, and my uncle,
with all his promising to me, died leav-
ing me nothing"
such simpteton as. you've peen,
her aunt continued, after toiling and
teaching, for your money, to turn round
and givesit away / declare it puts me
out of temper to think of il"
"What else could / do?p the girl
burst out, passionately. ssCould i see
poor Georges children turned into the
street ?' f-+ @
"Assuredly," answered the lady cody,
che could have rented house easy
enough In your place, I should have
kept my money in my pocket; but you
wouldn't listen to my advice. You are
sorry fer it now, no doubt" > So
II am not sorry. / would do the
same thing again tomorrow. Pm glad
I had the money to pay poor Georges
debt, and don't care if even I should
look shabby.
Very well, I shall not try to care,
either. Ishan't help you told you
that IN the beginning; I can't afford it.
and even If could should not feel it
my duty. You would be headstrong
and senseless, you must bear the conse-
-qusnces. I'll give you some lace for
pour neck apd. sleeves, and YOU may
Seax the garnet set Of Josephine's."
''I am perfectly aware of your not car
ing, though you are my aunt; but
don't want the lace, nor should anything
induce me to wear borrowed garments.
Besides I have some very fine lace which
belonged to my dear, dead mother, which
/ shall wear in remembrance of her,
knowing how happy she would be, were
she alive and with me, at the event that
Is soon TO take place."
"Ok very well don't snap my head
Oh, / beg; you needn't wear them.
Much thanks one gets for trying to as