Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-10-29
Grandfather'S Dress Suit.

tell me about it while | make the
toast?"
''Oh, well! / suppose it is really
nothing to make fuss over,'' ans
wered Alf, trying to speak cheerfully,
ssonly I have thought of it SO much
that it seems to trouble me. You
know mine is the prize essay, and L
am to read it at the school exhibition
and what worries me is that | have
nothing that is fit to wear on the
stage. It sounds like a girlish com
plaint,' he added flushing.
s'Thank you,'' said Sue, demurely
But, Alf, can't we think of some way
for you to get new suit? You must.
have little money saved from what
you earn taking care of the doctors
horse and chopping wood. You have
bought nothing but few books this
fall. Oh, yes. You bought the coal. "
'sThere is nothing left for any new
suits,' said Alf. .'The few dollars
I have are needed for more impor-
tant purpose
ssThere are my hens" mused Sue.
eff you would kill them for me, |
might sell them at the market at fifty
cents apiece. suppose [ could keep
one. so grandfather could have his
fresh egg for breakfast
81 will not sacrifice any of your
beloved hens, little sister, said Alf.
"No; we will ink the seams and fur
bish up the old suit as well as we can,
and think no more about it. | hope
to have the audience thinking more
of nv words than my clothes"
eff papa and mamma had only liv-
ed,'' sighed Sue. "Think of having
fine, strong father to help you on,
as Bert Seymour has"
81 think father would never have
been as rich as Judge Seymour is, !"
said Alf; sEbut there is one thing,
Sue" he added, lowering his voice
81 do wish it had happened so that
grandfather had not lost that 2O0O-
dollar note that Deacon Spriggins
paid for our house. Two thousand
dollars Think of all that would do. >
ooh, hush !" said tender-hearted
Sue. s'Just think how bad he felt
about it, and l am sure he gives US
everything he has of his own. That
is all past. Do not let us even think
of it again" And Sue gave tender
pat to her grandfather's chair, which
she was pushing up to the table, and
ran into the sitting-room to call the
old gentleman to his supper.
The meal over and the dishes
washed, Sue seated herself by the
light. with well-worn green cash
mere waist, which needed mending,
in her hands; but mending did not
progress very fast this evening, for
Sue was busy with silent little
trouble of her own.
1t happened that Sue Winthrop had
as sweet a voice as any bird in town ,
and Schoolmaster Lyon had asked
her to stand upon the stage in the
coming exhibition, and help lead the
chorus and, in consequence, Sue
was in the same predicament as ALT,
and, like Flora McFlimsey, had
nothing to wear" Not a word had
she breathed on the subject, but she
did think it little strange that Alt
had only thought of himself as trou-
bled by the question of dress. "Tho'
of course it is mere important he
should have something nice, as he
has the prize essay. | can stand be-
hind the other girls and not show
much," she murmured.
s'Sue !''
There was a quick step, and IN an
other moment something white and
rose-color fell about her in soft folds
elbow will that do for the exhibition.
Sue? I must have you looking as
, pretty as the other boys sisters. Be-
; sides, I'm not going to have you feel
snubbed among those girls fuss ano
feathers
ssDear Alf,' said Sue, touching
tenderly the white muslin and pink
ribbons, sis this what you saved your
, money for, so that you had none te
a use for yourself?'
/ ssI could not have bought sui
for what that cost, little goose?" saic
: Alf.
.You could have bought a coat? ?
said Sue, mournfully.
eWhat's this?'' said Grandfathel
Stuart, waking from nap in his ell
bow-chair. 81 am glad you have
such pretty frock, Susan. You arr
$ a good child. Who gave it to you Z
y Sue was only too glad to tell th'
: story of Alf's kindness, during whicl
her brother escaped from the room
Grandfather nursed his favorite kne
y thoughtfully.
n s.He has got pluck" he said
1t sspluck as well as generosity to ge
It up before the judge and the ministe
: in that old gray jacket. Well, well
we will see." And good old Mr.
Stuart Strengthened up as if he own
= ed gold mine.
= The time flew by, until, at last, th
= next time the sun rose would be th
n long-expected day. With an encour
I aging smile, he ducked out of sigh
= as if to say: 'sYou may be sure
would not miss being on hand to
morrow any more than you would,
and threw his last beam straight a