Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-26
SHE MET LAFAYETTE
Not Only That but She Danced VIII
the Great Frenchman.
A SATIN GOWN AND PEARLS
Found Among the heirlooms Gracsd Her
Upon the Occasion.
HOW IT ALL BEOUGHT HEB A HUSBAND
A SATIN GOWN AND PEARLS
HOW IT ALL BEoUGHT HEB A HUSBAND
WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH. ]

1fthere was one story above another that
we children liked to hear, it was the story
of how grandma went to La.ayette's bali
and danced with Lafayette himself. How
her soft old eyes would sparkle and her
faded cheeks flush when she recalled that
triumphant tinel
OF course, you all know the part that
Lafayette took in our struggle for freedom
over century ago. A brave and gallans
young fellow he was, and his praises were
sung by all that knew him. The people
could not forget his services, and when, in
1924, he came to the United Slater at the
| invitation of Congress, 1t was as the hon.
ored guest OF the nation. He was warmly
welcomed by all. Wherever he went he
met with ovations. What an honor it was
to clasp his hand, to speak to himl People
talked Of it for days after.
Set the Town by the Ears.
He was to be rendered grand reception in
the quaint old town where grandma lived.
A ball was to be given in his honor and the
whole town was all aglow with excitement
1t was to be- great affair. The big Town
Hall was cleaned and polished and painted;
il was draped with flags and bunting and
garlanded with laurel and evergreen. In.
deed, the old place was transformed into .
veritable fairyland, and when at length
the last flag was put in place, the last wreath
hung. the people were filed with honess
pride and stood ready to welcome the hero
of the hour.
In those days the Garrisons were not rich
In this worlds goods, and poor little grandma
was quite at her wits end as to where she
was to get the dress to wear to Lafayette's
ball. She coutd not wear a plain, every
day dress-that was quite out of the ques-
tion. A new dress could not be had, for,
as said, the Garrisons were not rich, and
there were so many mouths to feed and so
many bodies to clothe that inery was not to
be thought Of Poor little Dolly Garrisoni
She had no mother to go to with her
troubles. Her father was harassed BY busl-
ness cares; her grandmother was quiIe use
less as far as getting the dress was con.
cerned. though she did offer kindly sympa-
thy and tried to cheer Dolly; and her BROTH
ers. as usual in such cases, were the most
unsympathetic creatures imaginable, and
could not Cor pretended they cou. d not) see
why a calico dress would not answer the
purpose as well as satin.
A Noble Lovers Rich Aunt.
The Garrisons lived in a great rambling
old house, built century before by Cap
tain Harry Garrison. Captain Harry was
the youngest son of very rich and very
crusty old nobleman, whom he had offended
by marrying the daughter of the village
doctor. His father disowned and disinher-
tied him. But the young captain was the
favorite Of an old aunt. who was bitterly
angry with his father. She was rich, and
when she heard that Sir Henry Garriso
had cut of his youngest son with the prov
erbial shilling she made him heir OF all her
wealth and welcomed his fair young bride
with open arms. When his aunt died Cap
tain Harry came to America, where hs
built Garrison Manse as nearly like his old
nome in "merrie England" as he could.
But the fortunes of the Garrisons declined
In later years, and now a "faVor of mild
decay" hung over the old place.
1t happened one day that Dolly's grand
mother sent her up to tne old garrett for .
box of patches. And Dolly stayed and
stayed and seemed deaf to all calls. So
great-great-grandmothe Garrison climbed
up the stairs and at length came to the gar.
ret. On the threshold she paused and raised
her hands in asIonishment
Dolly Made a Discovery
In the middle of the garret, stood Dolly
Dolly in all the glory oil a white satin gown
all trimmed with creamy lace. Very dainty
and sweet looked Dolly in her new-found.
fnery. No wonder her grandmother was
surprised.
dorothy" she cried, "my DEAR"
And Dorothy turned on her grandmother
a face all radiant and rosy with happiness.
Grandmother, she cried in happy,
voice. 'I forgot, but, ohl you are not
angry with me7 1 found these, and now"
her voice quivering with exultatiou, "nowI
can go to Lafayette's ball. Just look,
grandmother-this beautiful dressl It will
have to be altered only little and modern-i
lied some, think"
"Dear me-" her grandfather said, I'ri
wish had thought of this before. It would
have saved all yonr worry. This is the dress,
OF your great-aunt, Dorothy. She never
wore it-her lover was killed by the Indians
and so we laid the dress away, little think
ing that, in the years to come, another Dor
othy Garrison would wear it. Yes, it will
do very well for you, my dear. am glad
that you found it,"
At last, the joyful night came. Dolly
was standing before the glass, when her
entered the room with quaint
old box in her hands. ''My dear" she said.
"I have little surprise for you," and a.
she spoke she opened the box and took from
it string of pearls. 81 am going to give
you these" she continued. "Your mother
wore them. and wore them before her. Il
is said that happiness always comes to their
wearer."
She clasped-them around DolIy's neck a.
she spoke, and they shone white and pure
against her fair skin.
Danced With the French Guest
Merrily sounded the music, and merrilv
shone the lights as Dolly entered the hail
On her fathers arm. People looked at her
happy young face and graceful, girlish
figure admiringly. Even Lafayette was at
.racted by the little maid in her creamy
satin dress, and when he was introduced to
her be bowed low over her hand and asked
her to dance with him.
Little Dolly was fairly breathless with
1elight as she smiled up into his face,
Dolly was radiant as she went through the
stately figures OF the dance with Lafayette
Is her partner.
From distant town tall young soldier
lad come to the ball. He was handsome
young fellow, with laughing blue eyes and
bright, debonnair lace. He was enjoying
himself TO the utmost, when he looked up
Ind saw the blithe young girl dancing with
Lafayette. His eyes followed the graceful
title maid, and then he sought an introduc-
ion with Dolly Garrison. Time passed
way, and the grand ball was numbered
With things of the past. Two years later,
vhen the glad June sun brought its roses
md blue skies, there was a happy wedding
n the little church near the old manse.
And we children always declared that if il
hadn't been for Dolly's greai-aunt's dress
md Lafayette's ball Norman Lynn would
lever have been our grandfather.
o. B. H. II.