The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-07-22
II OLD DRESS.
Aud the Happy Part ii Played iu
Bertha GrcgOrY's Life.

AAo L@NAA%1Rn 10 HCab N1N AAIl1 u
invitation to her dear 500 friends for q
grand ball at her elegant residence on
Fifth avenue in honor Of the entrance Of
her twin daughters into society.
They had Just been graduated at some
fashionable finishing Off establish
ment, and their debut was intended to
be a 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-
ssing 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 wearY' he
asked somewhat modify.
"A-plenty Of old ones, which have al
ready been worn and will not answer
forthis particular event." she returned.
"How much will it costy' Mr.. Gregory
asked.
"Oh. perhaps a hundred and fifty.
said Lena carelessly, with as little idea
of the value Of money as an unfiedged
bird.
Her father groaned and said some
thing about foolish extravagance;r then
drawing out his pocketbook slowly
counted out the required sum and laid
1t on the table.
How much do you want, Bertha" he
asked. turning toward her.
81 don't think want any, papa I
have a pretty dress, which will answer
very nicely" she replied.
You're a sensible girl, and the man
that gets you for a wife will have some
N to help him keep his head above
water" said Mr.. Gregory. as he left the
room.
what's the trouble with papa? What
does make him talk so dolefully when he
Is asked for a little money! said Lena.
ANY one would think be was a poor
man"
ut is n Of his money nervous spells;
he Is always so afraid his business af-
faie won't come out just so straight;
then it Is economy and retrenchment, or
everything win 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. az think his
business does really perplex him. I've
and careworn and he said but little. |
asked him yesterday If he was not well,
and he said there were anxieties preying
upon his mind"
"Was that the reason you didn't want
a new ball dressY' asked Lena.
Eyes, I'd rather wear an old one than
place papa to the expense of a a new one
now, while money is SO hard to raise
replied Bertha.
Really, Miss Bertha, you are beccm-
ing quite learned in financial affairs. !
should think papa would give you the
position Of private counselor in his
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 to
know SO much about monetary affairs.
my daughter" said Mrs. Gregory.
81 heard papa and Mr.. Ainsley talking
about business when he was here the
other evening. and he said it was almost
al impossibilty to get any money at all
now" said Bertha
well, you are o little goose; if you
will go to the grandest ball of the season
in An old madeover ball dress, and be
ridiculed by all the elite, you can do SO.
A few hundred dollars can't make much
difference anyway. And when you see
the victory which may, perhaps, be won
over a certain attractive gentleman of
our mutual acquaintance by your elder
sisters more stylish toilet, you win re-
greet your decision in favor of Nine.
Noah's a~ntediluvian costume" said Lena
sneeringly.
I'm perfectly Indifferent to the praise
or contempt Of the fashionable world,
for there is neither heart nor sincerity in
it. And concerning the gentleman Of
whom you so strangely hint, if his heart
is only susceptible to the influence Of
costly apparel, he can pay court to it as
long as he wishes without once exciting
my jealousy, as l want no dry goods
worshiper for my future hege lord So.
ma chere sister. you have the field open
and clear to yourself.
March on, march on, ye brave, to vic
tory or deathT sang Bertha, jubilantly.
waving her handkerchief at Lena, who
was picking up her money from the
table where her father had laid it and
humming a gay opera air.
Bertha. what dress have youto wears
You haven't any that you've not already
worn two or three times at least. and !
desire my daughters to make as elegant
an appearance to any of their friends on
this occasion" said Mrs Gregory.
AS Mrs Gregory was a particular
friend of Mrs Langdon. she felt in duty
bound to honor. as much as possible. the
advent of her daughters to the fashion
able world; and the attire Of her own
daughters on this occasion was an impor-
tant consideration.