Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-10-04

IoooPPOo vi iici way W tHo pantry "
kiss her mother.
Pm going, mother; and I'll have
as nice time as can, and not grum-
BILE btu
She looked very pretty in her blue
dress with its deep low collar, and
nice ribbons in her hair. Atleast her
mother thought SO, though when
Helen came down in all the glory of
her garnet silk and gold bracelets,
there was certainly difference.
1t twas sort of family Christmas
gathering, to which the city aunts and
uncles and cousins had come; and
there were some elegant dresses there,
and Carrie in her blue one did really
feel very much alone. Yet she went
cheerily through the evening, helping
with the charades and music, helping
in a dozen quiet little ways trying to
keep out of notice as much as posi-
BILE.
Cousin Helen played and sang, and
did both very nicely, while Carrie
only played accomplishments for 9TH
ers to sing.
Later in the evening there was a
whispering between two of the city
cousins, and presently it became
known that Mr.. Ames, who was IN
Gle Towards college friend, was a
wonderful singer, and would entertain
the company if anybody could be
found who would play for him.
81 wish he would sing The Storm
King for u.s." said Aunt Alace; "it
is the most wonderful thing! would
like to have mother hear it. Helen,
couldn't you play for him ?"
81! No, indeed; his music is all
awfully hard, and he is awfully par
ticular; and that piece don't know,
anyway"
But Aunt Alice was determined
that her mother should hear "The
Storm King" She talked with Mr..
Ames, and then she moved among the
guests, trying to find one who was
willing to play the accompaniment.
Not cousin could be found; they
were all afraid of the great singer and
the difficult looking music. At last
the girl in the blue dress grew ashamed
of herself.
."Aunt Alice, / will play it," she
said, coming out of her corner.
"You!" said Aunt Alice, in sur
prise, for Carrie was one of the young
est Of the cousins. "Do you know
it?o
No, ma'am, don't know it; but
1 can play from the notes."
Then did Helen look "a her young
cousin in respectful establishment.
"Can you play pieces that you do
not know ?" she asked her.
"Why, yes" said Carrie, laughing,
if they are not very hard. I ought
to. / have taken lessons for three
years."
"Well, have taken lessons for five
years and l can't do it.''
"Carrie is very faithful with her
practicing," said Carries mother.
And Carrie played the accompani-
ment, which really was difficult, and
played it so we'll that MIR. Ames, the
great singer told her he had never
had player who pleased him better.
And don't you think she forgot all
about her blue dress, until her atten-
ton was called to it in very strange
way.
"She not only plays remarkably
WE'LL" said Mr.. Ames to his wife,
=" but she is the best dressed young
girl in the ROOM"
"Yes," said Mrs. Ames, noticed
that; all the rest of the young people
are over-dressed. She must have a
sensible mother"
They did not know that Carrie stood
just behind them, and heard it all.
But really think it did her good |;
just as honest compliments often do
good. 1t made her realize that there
were two sides to the question of fine
dresses.