Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-07-13
M1LDRED'S GRADUATING
DRESS.
by FLORA E1L1cE STEVENS.

BY FLORA ELLICE STEVENS.
II was Just previous to the commence
nent at Monte Vista Seminary, and
be minds Of the twenty-five sweet girl
graduates were about evenly divided
between their essays and their dresses
for the suspicious occasion: if anything,
there was slight leaning in favor of the
dresses. ..
Jean Hildreth and Louie Laurence
were in a nook OF the school-room by
themselves-the former was the poorest
girl in the class, the latter belonged to
family Of moderate circumstances;
for this particular class embraced al
most every grade of wealth-talking as
girls do, over the commencement.
Il do not SIGH" said Jean, "for Essie
Taylor's cream MORE, for think that
material is unsuitable for girls, and es-
pecially so for a commencement dress;
but do long for one of those dainty
marvels of lace and fine lawn that Mil
drel Leslie will be certain to wear, and
that will make her look more than ever
.cueen rose of the rosebud garden OF girls
Queen lily and rose in one.'
ut is so notifying to look poor and
mean and dowdyish, when you know you
COULD display elegance and good taste
ii you only had the wherewithal to do
3d. But it is difficult for me to pinch
out even twenty-five cents yard, when
Annie has been sick so long and
needs so many delicacies that we can
hardly afford. Fit were not for mother,
and for the danger of lcssening my
chances OF getting school next fall, I
would not graduate at ALL"
Il am downright sorry for you, Jeanne"
replied her friend; "and il I were rich,
would wear calico for a commence
pent dress, just for your sake. But we
pre- Observation-Disclosures people, that
PANT do anything; we are not rich
Enough to do anything oalt,'e and have
passed over as "a freak of dear
4ouie's,' 'one Of her naive impulses,
md all that sort of thing by which the
ashlonables excuse an eccentricity in
pne Of their own circle: we must fain
pake pretense of being million
llresses, have the sashes and flowers, kid
gloves to the shoulders, white shoes,
carriage, ETC., ETC., and then wear last
easons dresses all summer to pay for
BENG SWELL on one occasion for few
peetmg hours. But lest us go out on
he lawn, Jeanne; and console yourself
hat you have carried off second honors,
i Mildred has first"
i do not envy her the honor, be-
alse she has earned it; nor her sweet
disposition, nor her face like rare old
enetlan painting, nor her lovely
hmgs: but I qrould like to have some
nc hers and surely there is no wrong
b that"
50 soon as the school-room door had
losed upon the two, q tall, graceful
'rl arose from seat where she had
'een an unseen listener to the two
lrls.
What opportunities we rich have and
Ct them slip through our fngers!"
aa Mildred Leslie to herself. Il am
le wealthiest girl in the class, and
mere are halfa dozen that are absolutely
'Oor; and yet I never thought Of caus-
y envy Or bitter feelings among them.
eFhaps it is not too late, yet, to do
'n'ethlng, even in this matter OF COM
lehcement dresses, to which I have
'ven, probably, less thought than any
''ler girl in the class"
POSSIBLY you imagine that, having an
loependent fortune of her own, be-
the only child OF wealthy and indul-
en' parents, and also charitable,
'Mpathetic Christian girl, Mildred
uledlately purchased handsome
Tess Tor each of he- poorer class
A'es; but in fact she did nothing of
Ne KIND, nor would it have been wise
u her to do SO.
II Was the night of the commencement
Aerclses at Monte Vista, and already
= great hall was filed with the wait
. audience. In the room set apart for
o'essmg-room, the class Of bright,
A pc girls were gathered.
mere was Essie Taylor, gorgeous in
VI White MORE; there was Louie
s',fence, in costly "all-over" Swiss
'''iolaery gown: there was Jean, look