The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-03-01

which Mary wanted white, bat which the
other declared ought 10 I've pea green.
trimmed with black velvet
That evening found Mary ia. sau Fran
cisco, aud the next morning she Sc, ont on
her shopping expedition, with no very
definite idea OF wis, she was 10 get, her
two heavy gold pieces still .intsct in bcr
pocket The wonderful array OF goods
daxzicd her, and a, last she left the decis-
ion to pleasau, old lady who seemed to
take an interest 10 the perplrred little
maiden with the big blue eyes aud the
crinkled hair. just like piece Of polished
snrled maple and persuaded her to take
white Grape and trimmings OF lace and
pale blss ribbons. and told her how 1t
oughtso Le pade Mary was so glad aud
soon had added pair OF white gloves aud
satin slippers to he. ether purchases. and
then. as parting advice the old lady told
her to let down her hair 10 eprl naturally
and tie 1t back with pale blue ribbon. She
kissed Mary as they separated, and the
youag girl suppressed . sigh as she said
"how wish ! had sSch mother"
"what charming. ioylEg. innocent lit
tie child" said the old lady as she weut
her way. Neither everexpected to see the
other again.
Diligent indeed were the little red
hands until the day Of the ball. when the
pretty dress was done, but more busy was
the active brain and fancy OF the young
girl, who now, for the first time was to
pass the threshold OF her home and enter
society and her imagination pictured won.
ders, in which her dim and indistinct hero
certainly had place. Some one that was
wonderful, with all the enchantment OF q
girls ideal. The poor child had worked
so hard to complete her dress alone that
when it vas done she had not time to try
it on and SEE how it became her, for this
was in the days when there were no sewing
machines in Caiifornia, aud when the wag.
on with her chaperone came in sight she
hurriedly packed it in tiny trunk with
all the rest of her neeessaries, and then
started.
Mary felt almost guilty when hsr friend
asked her what her dress was. but the
jolting Of the wagon drowned her voice.
and then she in turn listened to the de-
scription Of q wonderful red and yellow
fowered gown that her friend was to wear.
They reached the hotel little late on
account OF the breaking Of trace as the
horses floundered in the thick mud. But
they at least had the dressing room to
themselves but for the presence Of three
or four sleeping babies. Mary loosened
her beautiful hair. its pale gold lustre
breaking into wave and curl in the pretti'
est way y.imaginable, and it hung to her
waist in the back, while the shining ten
drills curlsd around her forehead Her
cheeks were afame, and her breath came
fitfully between her cherry-red lips She
donned the misty dress with its tasty trim.
ming, and the pearly shoulders md plnmp
arms shone Whitley under the folds OF lace
The red hands were hidden uuder the
gloves. and Mary lluslied at her own
beauty as she saw herself in the ,rlass that
was tipped at jnst the right angle 20 show
full length though, to be sure, it did make
figures look a little stumpy.
But she had all the conceit taken out of
her head by the sight of her friend in
brocade of great yellow flowers
on red gown, and her hair drawn snugly
back, with an immense wreath OF common
pink roses and great green leaves right on
the top Of her head.
Goodness mel" said the lady. "You
look just as il your clothes was all faded
out, but it is too late to change now, and
anyhow as your face is pretty You may get
a pardner. Now where on earth is Jim :?
They're tuning up the fiddles, and want
10 get there for the march
Jim came luckily just then and brought
. friend along who was none other than
Mettie. the famous driver Of the stage to
Martinez, who seemed struck dumb by the
ethereal beauty Of the young girl, and af-
ter hasty and ceremonious introduction
OF the two he offered his arm with low
bow, and the four took mp their march to
the ballroom. where they arrived just in
time for the grand march" with which
every ball opened in those days. Mary
lid not for time seem to realize where
she was, or know OF what was passing.
All was bewildering maze of camphene
lights. throbbing music, a procession in
which she was taking part, and then the
music ceased a1d she was handed to a sea :
on pine plank, ingeniously covered with
red calico, but which to her was velvet
throne.
Mettie. her whilom partner, was hand
some fellow. broad -shouldered, and with
courageous but frank and honest face, and
be was we'll liked by all who knew him
He was little educated. but had such
good.hearted way that few cared whether
be had book lore or not for he had plenty
OF money. and be was free as air with it,
He gambled some, and raced horses lit
tie, and was very fond Of the gentler sex,
but be had never had any great passion
for any one, though his name had been
coupled sometimes with a handsome Span.
ish girl, but now this fair girl had com
pletely bewitched him, and. as he ex-
pressed ii, he was "goner.
Mary was seated and watched the gay
scene. All the members Of the famous
Company A were in their dazzling uni
forms, and with their bright buttons and
gilt braid were wonderful TO see. and Ma.