The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-08-29
LOttie's Charity Ball.

"My sister Ethel's going to the charity
ball, and oh she's got just the beauti-
fullest dress you ever saw said Title
Clark to Lottie Elder, as they played to.
getber one afternoon.
"What's charity ball ?" asked Lottie.
"Why, don't you know p answered
Tillie, with the contempt of superior wis
dom which one small girl often assumes
over another. "Why, it's something to
help poor people, and lots of folks are 60
ing, and they'll dance and have splendid
music. Turner'S hall is all fixed up with
evergreens. and Ethel says looks 30 pretty"
Sand will the poor people be there to
see the pretty things and hear the music ?"
inquired Lottie, with interest.
"Why, no." said Title. "They don't
want poor folks there; they wouldn't
have any nice clothes to come in, you
know. 1t is to get money somehow to
help-I don't know how. Ethel and
cousin Molie talk about their dresses
and the dances. | haven't heard much
about the poor folks, but it is to help
EN-"
DWELL, if was poor folks" said Lottie,
decidedly. "I'd ike to go and see the hall
and hear the music"
"But then the money would do you more
good" said Title, who was evidently
much further advanced in worldly wis
dom than little Lottie.
eyes" said Lottie, slowly, and then
the two children went on with their PLAY.
But after Tillie went home Lottie sat on
the lawn and kept thinking about the
charity ball and the poor people, until a
very bright idea began to form itself in
her busy little brain.
"Ill have a charity ball, or something,
all myself l' she said, with very bright
spot on her cheeks; " il mother III let me,
and / guess she will. l don't know many
real poor people who have to wrap their
babies in jackets, like Sandy did in Lost
Gyp, nor haven't got enough to eat. But
there's Effie Neal. She sits next to me
in Sundav-school, and she looks rather
poor. ard her shoes are patched. Jamie
Waite, he's lame, and his mother goes out
washing. He sits in the door alone most
all the time. Lille and Matte Wilson,
their mothers dead, and their aunt who
takes care of them looks cross, and they
never seem to 20 anywhere except to
school. Nellie Weaver and her brother
l was at her house once, and there WASH t
in it, though thew aren't poor, guess
and Miss Sarah Miller, who sews for us.
She's only got one room, and it's SO warm
| know she loves music, for she always
listens when aunt Bette plays"
Mrs. Elder was a little startled when
Lottie came with her request to have
charity ball." for the child did not know
what else to call her new plan of enter.
tainment. But when her mother heard
the modest list of guests she kissed Lottie
and said her idea of charity was right
and she should have her "ball." Aunt
Bette laughed long and merrily over the
"mixed company" as she called it, but
readily promised her aid with the music
If Lottie would not insist upon her (aunt
Bettie) getting a new dress for 30 great
an occasion.
So Lottie delivered her invitations, all
of which were accepted. and Tillie Clark
also came to help. Whether it was a
mixed company or not it seeued very
happy one that gathered in Mrs. Elders
rretty parlors on the appointed afternoon
There were gay games out of doors, but
Jamie, the lame boy. could not run about
80 Mrs. Elder supplied him with picture
books, and Lottie brought her cherished
stereoscope with its fine views, aud afte,
awhile they had more quiet plays in which
Jamie Joined heartily.
Then there were simple. hut abundant
refreshments for all, and Effie Neal whis
pered to Matte Wilson to know what the
lemonade was" Cause I've never tasted
anything so nice before" Aunt Bette
played and sang in her very best style
and Miss Sarah closed her eyes and lay
back in the easy chair Mrs. Elder hac
especially chosen for her, and felt &c
rested. And the shy little Wilson girls
, stood by the piano, and ventured TO tel
! Miss Bette they "hadn't heard any
!, music since mother died" Nellie Weaver
sat down on the floor by the flower-stanG
and Toasted her eyes, and nose too, on th,
,, lovely fragrant plants. and she aud he
brother were overjoyed at the gift of {
flower to take home. And Lottie Sh,
fitted here and there, and everywhere
trying to make every one of her guest
|, have happy time, her own dimpled fac,
! aglow with happiness.
"It was such nice party" said Tillie
, day or two afterwards; " ever 80 mucl
! better than the big charity ball, know
: for Ethels been so cross ever since. Sh
. spoilt her dress, and cousin Mollie i
sick with the cold she caught"
al liked it, said Lottie simply, 4" bu
l don't know why Miss Sarah cried whel
? she kissed me goodnight, and said some
! thing that sounded like the Bible. 'An
t thou shalt be blessed, for they canno
T recompense thee. '"-Lucy r. Fleming.
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