Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-07-23
THE OLD DRESS.


be very magnificent affair.
Mrs. Gregory, husband and daughters
were on the invited list. As the former
and two latter sat in their parlor look
ing at the elegant cards, with the inter
esting subject under deep discussion,
they were broken in upon by the en-
trance of Mr.. Gregory. who looked
harassed and weary.
'Papa" cried Lena, the elder daugh-
ter, "see our invitations to Mrs. Lang
don's great ball, showing him the cards
she held in her hand "And there is the
loveliest silk at Stewards that want to
wear. Can ! go and order it tomorrow"
she pleaded, laying her white hand,
flashing with jewels, on his arm, and
looking up into his face
Haven't you any dresses to wear" he
asked somewhat moodily.
'A-plenty Of old ones, which have al
ready been worn and will not answer
for this particular event, she returned.
"How much will it cost" Mr.. Gregory
asked.
"Oh, perhaps hundred and fifty" "
said Lena carelessly, with as little idea
Of the value Of money as an unfedged
bird.
Her father groaned and said some
thing about foolish extravagance;;" then
drawing out his pocketbook slowly
counted out the required sum and laid
it on the table.
''How much do you want. Bertha" he
asked, turning toward her.
II don't think l want any, papa
have pretty dress, which will answer
very nicely" she replied.
You're sensible girl, and the man
that gets you for a wife will have some
one to help him keep his head above
water" said Mr.. Gregory, as he left the
room.
What is the trouble with papa? What
does make him talk SO dolefully when he
is asked for little money!" said Lena
"Any one would think he was pool
man"
1T is one of his money nervous spells
he is always so afraid his business af
fairs won't come out just SO straight
then it is economy and retrenchment xol
everything will drift to bankruptcy
That is the way business men always
talk till it has become quite an old story
with me" said Mrs. Gregory, drawing a
breath Of relief.
81 don't think papa is trying to fright
en- US at all" said Bertha. 81 thirk hi:
business does really perplex him. I've
noticed for week that he looked pale
and careworn and he said but little.
asked him yesterday if he was not well
and he said there were anxieties preyine
upon his mind"
"Was that the reason you didn't want
new ball dress" asked Lena.
Eyes, I'd rather wear an old one thar
place papa to the expense of a new one
now, while money is so hard to raise,
replied Bertha.
'Really, Miss Bertha, you are becom
ing quite learned in financial affairs.
should think papa would give you the
position Of private counselor in hii
counting room. With your wise brain
to aid him, he might sail through seas
Of trouble, dry shod," said Lena with
sarcasm.
pray inform US how you came Il
know so much about monetary affairs
my daughter" said Mrs. Gregory.
81 heard papa and Mr.. Ainsley talking
about business when he was here ths
other evening, and he said it was almost
an impossibility to get any money at all
now," said Bertha
well, you are little goose; if yor
will go to the grandest ball of the season
in an old madeover ball dress, and bt
ridiculed by all the elite, you can do so
A few hundred dollars can't make much
difference anyway. And when you sex
the victory which may, perhaps, be wor
over certain attractive gentleman o.
our mutual acquaintance by your elder
sisters more stylish toilet, you will re
gret your decision in favor of Nine
Noah's antediluvian costume" said LEM
sneeringly.
"Im perfectly Indifferent to the praise
or contempt Of the fashionable world
for there is neither heart nor sincerity il
it. And concerning the gentleman O.
whom you so strangely hint, if his hear
is only susceptible to the influence O
costly apparel, he can pay court to it a,
long as he wishes without once exciting
my jealousy, as | want no dry goods
worshiper for my future liege lord. So
ma chere sister, you have the field oper
and clear to yourself.
March on, march on, ye brave, to vic
tory or deathr sang Bertha, jubilantly
waving her handkerchief at Lena, who
was picking up her money from tn,
table where her father had laid it ani
humming a gay opera air.
Bertha, what dress have you to wear
You haven't any that you've not already
worn two or three times at least, and
desire my daughters to make as elegan
an appearance to any of their friends OF
this OCCASION said Mss. Gregory.
AS Mrs. Gregory was particulal
friend of Mrs. Langdon, she felt in duty
bound to honor, as much as possible, tht
advent of her daughters to the fashion
o5bIe world; and the attire Of her owl
daughters on this occasion was an impor
tars consideration.
I'm going to have Nine. Leicester
make over my blue gros grain silk, and
you know she is a noted genius for re
newing worn ball dresses; but if, after i
is done, it looks antediluvian and smelli
musty, I'll do penance by staying a
home" said Bertha.
Lena purchased the new dress and hat
it made up without regard to expense.
Bertha's dress came from the mantau
makers hands as beautiful as it couli
/ be, and none would ever have suspected
it had already been thrice worn unles'
she had been seen with it on. It har
monized admirably with her hair, blont
complexion, forming vivid contrast *
Lena,s more brilliant style Of persona
attractiveness and bright, orange colored
robe.
The day previous to the ball Clara
Ainsley called, sister of Hugh Ainsley,
who was the fixed, central star around
which the feminine luminaries had am
bitiously beamed for the last two seasons
each fondly hoping to be the finally
favore3one.
But to the secret chagrin Of each, ht
still maintained the same quiet courth
ness Of manners toward them all HI
seemed quite as indifferent to their hear
affairs as he would have been to th'
pyramids Of Egypt. This was the gen
tleman Lena was bending all her ener
gies to insnare and bring TO her feet be
fore the present season closed.
Clara was an intimate friend OF botl
the girls, and she was invited up stair
to see the dresses, which had just beeI
sent home. Their beauty she warml,