The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-06-29
SARA'S GRADUATION.

SARA'S GRADUATION.
dearest mamma, couldn't 1 have
it?"
Mrs. Aubrey sat by the half-light of
the dim fire-coals were by far too
dear for reckless blaze to be permit
ted-with the curtain yet undrawn, so
that the tender yellow light of the Feb
ruary sunset shone in, and the angles
of the room were filled with shadows.
A pretty little room it seemed now,
it would hardly have borne
the brilliant. uncompromising light of
monday, foT the carpet was darned
and mended in many place, and
neatly-fashioned rugs had been laid
skillfully down to hide the spots which
were past all redemption. The table
cover was faded by many a washing;
the curtains were arranged in folds
which should not betray the rags, and
the very mantel ornaments were mend
ed with cement.
To keep up the outward show and
dignity of a lady upon an income which
would have been insufficient for serv-
ant, is trying to the most courageous
nature; yet this had been Mrs. Au-
brey's task ever since her husband
died, leaving her with Sara, a child of
nine summers. She had economized
in the most painful degree; she had
worn her shabby dresses until they
were ready to drop off; she had patch
ed her clothes until there was scarce
ly thread left of the original material;
she had cut off this luxury and that
condiment from her poor table until
her diet becames literally bread and
water; and even then debts grew upon
her like hideous fungi. Her husband
had left her trifle, but this was care
fully reserved for the expenses of her
little Sara. However she might pinch
and scrape and starve, Sara was al
ways comfortably clad and had plenty
of good, wholesome food to eat. But
there are a score of shabby genteel de-
vices by which reduced ladies can earn
a few dollars, and Mrs. Aubrey solicit
ed copying from the village lawyer, sat
up long after Sara's pretty eyes were
sealed in slumber, to embroider fine
work for the stores, and even rejoiced
to get plain sewing to do at rate
which was pitifully meager.
1t had been seven years of famine,
but the end of the long ordeal was ap-
preaching at last. Sara was being
trained for teacher and the gradu-
alton day was near at hand-Sara, who
had grown into tall, lovely girl, like
a white lily, with deep violet eyes,
reddish-brown hair, all interviewer
with threads of gold, and cheeks of
velvety pink, and Mr.. Mitchell, the
principal, had promised to use his very
best efforts to obtain a situation for
Sara when she had graduated, and all
seemed couleur de rose.
And in the winter twilight Sara had
rushed into the room, bringing with her
a breath of frozen, pine-scented air,
and told her mother how the gradu-
ating class were all to be dressed in
white merino and white silk shirred
overskirts and broad white ribbon
sashes..
"Not a bit of color about us, NAM
ma" the girl breathlessly added, sex
cept the little knots of blue violets we
are to wear at our belts"
Mrs. Aubrey looked aghast.
"White merino, dear! With white
silk shirred overskirts! Indeed, in
deed, Sara, as far as you are concerned,
it is quite out of the question!
mammal" cried out the girl.
"My darling, it would cost $25 at the
very least" urged Mrs. Aubrey.
NO, mamma" pleaded Sara, "only
500. Helen Hazleton says we can buy
the material all in one piece and get ;
considerable reduction on it, and yoI
know, mdmma, darling, you are sucf
skillful needlewoman that my dress
makers bill will be nothing"
"But even then, dearest" said Mrs
Aubrey, "where are we to get the $20?
Pretty Sara burst into tears.
"My darling, don't" pleaded tn
mother, in the whose heart ever.
sparkling drop was like the acut
prick of dagger. "Don't break m.
heart. Sara. | should like to see yol
as elegantly dressed as any girl in tn
school, but you know how poor W
are"
And then, with her dear wet fac
hidden on her mothers shoulder, Sar
sobbed out:
couldn't have it, mamma? Oh
darling mamma, couldn't I?"
q will do up your old muslin, dear,
sobbed the mother. "And | think W
can afford some fresh blonde and th
new ribbon sash and"
"Oh, mamma" interrupted poe
Sara, "must l wear that old, tattere(
shrunken thing, when all the othe
girls are in merino and white shire
silk?"
dearest, what else can we do?"
Mrs Aubrey could almost have erie
with Sara had she dared to give wa
to her feelings.
"How wretched it is to be poor
sobbed Sara, sitting down on tt
hearth-rug, with her face in her mot
er's lap. Mamma, what have v
done that we should be so crampt
and ground down, so fettered Wi
poverty?"
at will not be so always, DEAR" e
couraged her mother.
NO" said Sara, sadly; 81 shall be
teacher soon. And then, mamma, "
shall have wine-colored cashme
dress and set of furs, and [ will we
what l please. But, mamma if cou
only have the white merino dress tt
oncew
"My daughter! My daughter!
Sara could feel the warm drops fro
her mothers eyes upon her cheeks.
Mammal" she cried out caressin
Iy. don't cry, that's darling.
wear the old white muslin! I'll we
anything! You have been heroil
quietly and patiently, all these yea
and here am | that can't endure s
gle privation! Mamma, I'll be he
inc, tool"
And pale mother and bloomi
lo1ahtar claSnad aocb other tande