Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-02-23
How They Helped Her.

HOW Iney Helped Her.
IL can't afford it, Celia. I wish I could;
but the dress alone would cost fifteen dol
lars, to say nothing of the trimmings and
the dressmaker's bill.''
"Can't we manage to make it ourselves,
mother2 The pattern that Miss Bowe n
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.
H, is young, wealthy and unmarried he
will call here. of course, as father has su-
perintended the repairs of 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 already in
your possession So much depends on my
having something nice and becoming to
wear. and on my making fine appearance
during the next few weeks"
Il know it, replied her mother with a
weary sigh; "but I've only the twenty ii i've
dollars with which to get you and Pet
each dress. l know that your father
| cau't spare another cent this month, and
l wouldn't think of asking 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 ma.
| terial. lace and buttons. even if we make
it ourselves. This would leave only five
dollars for Pets dress.''
Little Mrs. Haywood emptied the con-
tents of her purse in her lap as she spoke,
and carefully counted the shining silver
pieces once mere, vainly hoping to find
that she had been mistaken in the amount
it contained. She turned the purse up
side down, and shook it vigorously she
pinched and patted its empty side, in Or
der TO make sure that no stray dimes had
slipped between the outside and the lining
Her efforts we're of no avail however,
Count the little pile as often as she might,
lars and three cents.
Pets only little girl. and it won't be
so serious a matter if she isn't dressed
handsomely" began Miss Celia, appeal
ingly. Then drawing her chair closer to
her mothers. lowering her voice aud glanc-
ing apprehensively around, she added. II
have passed my twenty sixth birthday, you
know, and [ must catch husband this
summer, if ever intend to. Pet will lo0k
very nice in pretty calico"
"You bet she will 70 came like small
blast from behind the sofa.
Miss Celia gave terrible scream, as a
! great, brown ball rolled out into the room
and unfolded itself like mammoth jack
knife.
| First, two bare. sunburued feet were
visi BILE, and finally small terror of the
household-viz the little trother-assum-
ed a sitting posture, and eyed his lady sis
ter with twinkling. elfsh eyes.
Il always thought that you's long
time gettin' past twenty. Pet and I've
had SIX birthdays since you've had singh.
ont,'' he began laughing immoderately :;
IAN you've always had dreadful old look
for yonr age, too
| ''Dick !" 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
meditaiive expression, and when she again
addressed him her tones were soft and
persuasive.
''I'm going to trust you, Dickie, with a
| Tn fo f1a
contidant 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 half an hour"
| "1'll do it - he cried. springing up like
a rubber ball, and darting out of the room
with surprising agility.
"a whole pint o. peanuts for jest goin'
out to the maple tree" he solilnqulzed.-
| 'Cracky amt she a-gitten' generous in
her old age? Said she's a-goin' to make a
con6dant o. me. Now she needn't think
I'm goin' to jine the church, for shan't
do IT. The minister baptized six conf
dants last Sunday but 'twould take more
nor one pint o. peanuts to get me into the
water with my best breeches on. They'd
never be fit to be seen after that, an
don't get new buds so often that can af-
ford to Spite 'em just to please her,"
Mother remarked Miss Celia, seri-
ously, after Dicks exit, II am going to
engage both the children to assist me this
time. They have been the means of spoil
ing my matrimonial prospects several times
in the past. think, if they understand
matters at the start. they will be more
careful this tims. They will be only too
glad to have me married and settled in a
home of my own"
yes" sighed Mrs. Haywood. family,
as her daughter paused and seemed to ex-
pect reply.