Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-01-28
THAT OLD DRESS.
What 1t Did for It's Self-Saorlflcing
Wearer.

MIS- LhIhFOu nufl HtuN Oub CT
invitation TO her dear five hundred" |
friends for 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 "inishing OF" estab-
lishmcnt, and their debut was intended
TO be a very magnificent affair
Mrs. Gregory, husband and daugh.
tiers, were ON the invited list. As the
former and two latter sat in their par
lor, looking at the elegant cards, with
the interesting subject under deep dis
cussion, they were broken In upon by
the entrance 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 90 and or
der IL 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 wearp'
he asked, somewhat noodily.
"Plenty OF old ones, which have al
ready been worn, and will not answer
for this particular event" she returned
"lIow much will 1t cost2' Mr. Greg
DRY asked.
"oh, perhaps q hundred and fifty"
said Lena, carelessly, with as little idea
Of the value of money as an unlledgcd
bird.
Her father groaned and said some.
| Nhtna, sfnn1teh nxfrava ~
then, drawing out his pockctbools,
slowly counted out the required sum
and laid it on the table.
"How much do you want Bcrtha2'
he asked, turning towards her
~ don't think | want any, papa /
have pretty dress, which will answer
very nicely" she replied.
You're a sensible girl, and the man
that gets you for u wife will have
some one TO help him keep his head
above water. II the pressure on the
money market lasts much longer, with
these demands to meet, shall soon be
dead bankrupt" said Mr.. Gregory,
as he left the room.
"What Is the trouble with papa2
What does make him talk so dolefully
when he is asked for little money!
said Lena. Anyone would think he
was poor man."
at Is one of his homogeneous spells;
he il always SO afraid his business af-
fairs won't come ont Just SO straight;
then II is economy, aud rctrcnchmcnt,
or everything will drift to bankruptcy.
That is the way business men always
talk, till II has become quite an old
story with me-" said Mrs. Gregory,
drawing Il breath Of relief,
81 don't think papa Is trying to
brighten us at ALL" said Bertha. IL
think his business does really perplcx
him. I've noticed for n week that he
has looked pale and carcworn and he
said but little"
"Was that the reason you didn't want
new ball dress7" asked Lena
"Ycs I'd rather wear an old one than
place papa to the expense of a new one
now, while money is SO hard TO raise"
replied bertha
! Pray inform us how you came to
. know so much about monetary affairs,
my daughter?' said Mrs. Gregory.
~ heard papa and Mr.. Ainsley talk
ing about business when he was here
the other evening, and he said 1t was
almost an impossibility to get any
money at all now" said Bertha.
"Well, you arc little goosy; II you
will go to the grandcst ball of the sea.
son in an old made.over ball dress, you
can do so. And when you see the vic
tory which may, perhaps, be won over
n certain gentleman by your elder sis
ter's more stylish toilet, you will re-
greet your decision in favor Of Nine.
Noah's antcdiluvian costume" said
Lena, sneeringly
I'm perfectly Indifferent TO the
praise or contempt of the fashionable
world for there il neither heart nor
sincerity in It. want no dry goods
worshiper for my future liegel lord.
So you have the field open and clear to
yourself"
bertha, what dress have you to
wear? You haven't any that you've
I not already worn two or three times,
J at least and desire my daughters to
B make as elegant an appearance as any
of their friends on this OCCASION said
Mrs. Gregory
. "lm going to have Mime. Leicester
make over my blue gros-grain silk, and
yor know she is noted genius for no.
new!ng worn ball dresses but IL, after
II is done, IL looks antediluvian and
smells musty, I'll do pcnance by stay
ing at home, said Bertha.
| 30 just as you prefer; but think
!. your father would give you a new one
n II you wished II" said her mother.
Lena purchased the new dress and
+, had II made up without regard to eX-
/ pense, and IL was exquisite when done