Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1885-04-30


The close of the term was near at
hand, and in three weeks--the holi-
days. Matte looked pretty sober; she
told her, mother she had written about
her home, but she thought the story
needed brighter side, and was afraid
she would have to give it up. Her
mother told her she had good Begin
ning, and not tO'worry any way, as
she. was great help to her, and as
soon rs she could, would send her to
school again. Matte took her books
and trudged to school with a heavy
heart She had planned so many
little surprises with the money she
would get, that to fail with her story
was bitter disappointment; but she
studied hard and had her lessons. One
day she noticed an unusual excitement
among some of her schOolmates, and
overheard one little girl saying to an
other "that Oracle Thornton was going
to give a birthday party the next eve.
ming" Matte thought no more about
it, till on her way home a bright
thought struck her; she walked more
brskly and rushed into the house, ex-
claiming, "Oh, mother! Oracle Thorn
ton is going to give party tomorrow
evening, and if could only 60" Her
mother looked at her IN amazement,
and said: ''Why, Matte, don't be-
lieve you want to 90. Oracle Thorn
ton belongs to a certain little set
who are wealthy and dress nicely like
herself" "But / don't mean to 90
that way. would like to go and
help them some way. help pass re-
freshments, something like that Mo-
ther, l want to see their elegant house,
and then / can put it in my story, TO
brighten it up. Don't you think you
can help meP' pleaded Matte.
Col. Thornton was n wealthy banker
then, had a fine residence and grounds.
Mrs. Van Wyck mad taken some sew
ing to do for them, and this is how
Matte thought perhaps, her mother
might intercede for her.
The next morning after she had
gone to school her mother went over
to ask Mrs. Thornton what Matte
could do, telling her. that she greatly
desired to help in some way. Mrs.
Thornton was a kind, mOtherly wo-
man, loved by all who knew her. She
smiled, and told her to send the child
over by all means; there might be
something she can do, and she could
enjoy the music. Mrs. Van Wyck
thanked her, and went home feeling
too grateful to speak almost, knowing
how pleased Matte would be.
Mattie's wardrobe was very limited
Her mother got out her best dress, a
black cashmere that she had worn two
winters, mended it in one or two
places, then washed and ironed a little
muslin apron, and waited to tell her
the good news. Matte clapped her
hands with joy when her mother told
her, and was so excited she could
scarcely eat her dinner.
Evening came at last. Matte put
on her black dress and muslin apron;
her mother looked through all her
boxes, and found piece of scarlet
ribbon, just what she needed with her
pale face, gray eyes, and brown,
wavy hair. Matte pinned it at her
throat. and looked very pretty indeed.
She kissed her mother, and, promising
not to stay late, started for the Thorn
ton mansion.
In her eagerness to finish her story
she had thought of nothing else; but
as she noared the house and saw it
brilliantly lighted, and some of the
little guests were beginning to arrive,
she was seized with fear and trepida-
ton. She passed by two or three par
ties, but was as unnoticed as if she
had been little autumn leaf rustling
along. Once she thought she would
turn back, then thinking of her story,
if she could be successful now much
she would do, drew her shaw
closer about her and hurried round
to the dining-room door and was adj
mitted.