The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-01-28
THAT OLD DRESS.
What It Did for It's Self Sacrificing
Wearer.

friends for grand ball at her elegan,
the entrance of her twin daughters
into society.
They had just been graduated al
some fashiona BILE finishing off" estab,
lishment, 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 "AnC
there is the loveliest silk at Stewart:
der it to-morrow?' 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.
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.. Greg
DRY asked.
=. ''Oh, perhaps hundred and fifty,
said Lena, carelessly, with as little idea
of the value of money as an unfedgec
bird
Her father groaned and said some
thing about foolish extravaganza,
then, drawing out his pocketbook
slowly counted out the required sun
and laid it on the table.
How much do you want, Bertha?'
he asked, turning towards her.
II don't think I want any, papa
have pretty dress, which will answer
very nicely" she replied.
You're sensible girl, and the mar
that gets you for wife will have
some one to help him keep his heac
above water. If the pressure on the
money market lasts much longer, with
these demands to meet, l shall soon be
dead bankrupt" 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. anyone would think he
was poor man.
1T is one Of his homogeneous spells
he is always SO afraid his business af
fairs won't come out just SO straight
then it is economy, and retrenchment
or every thing will drift to bankruptcy
That is the way business men Away:
talk, till it has become quite an ole
story with me-" said Mrs. Gregory
drawing breath of relief.
II don't think papa is trying t
brighten us at ALL" said Bertha. 81
think his business does really perple1
him. I've noticed for week that he
has looked pale and careworn and he
said but little
Was that the reason You didn't wan
a new ball dress?" asked Lena.
"Yes. Id rather wear an old one thar
place papa to the expense of a new ONT
now, while money is so hard to raise,
replied Bertha.
Pray inform us how you came t.
know so much about monetary affairs
my daughter?' said Mrs. Gregory.
II heard papa and Mr.. Ainsley talk
ing about business when he was here
the other evening, and he said it wa.
almost an impossibility to get any
money at all now" said Bertha
well, you are little goosy; if you
will go to the grandest 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 ovel
certain gentleman by your elder sis
ter's more stylish toilet, you will re
greet your decision in favor of Nine
Noahs antediluvian costume" sale
Lena, sneeringly.
I'm perfectly Indifferent to the
praise or contempt of the fashionable
world, for there is neither heart mol
sincerity in it. l want no dry goods
worshiper for my future liege1 lord
SO you have the field open and clear tc
yourself
Bertha. what dress have you tc
wear? You haven't any that you've
not already worn two or three times
at least, and desire my daughters tc
make as elegant an appearance as any
of their friends on this OCCASION" said
Mrs. Gregory.
''Pm going to have Nine Leiceiste,
make over my blue gros- grain silk, anc
you know she is a noted genius for re
newing worn ball dresses; but if, afte,
it is done, it looks antediluvian and
smells musty, I'll do penance by stay
ing at home," said Bertha.
DO just as you prefer; but think
your father would give you new one
if you wished it." said her mother. an
Lena purchased the new dress anc
had it made up without regard to ex
pense, and it was exquisite when done
and extremely becoming to the young
lady, who had been congratulating her
self on the success she was determined
to achieve.
Bertha's dress came from the man tua
makers hands as beautiful as it could
be, and none would ever have sus
pected it had already been thrice worn
unless she had been seen with it on.
IL harmonlZed admirably with hel
fair blonde complexion, forming a
vivid contrast to Lena's more brilliant
style of personal attractiveness and
bright, orange-colored robe. +
On the day prev ious to the ball Clara
Ainsley called, 3 sister of Hugh Aims
ley, who was the fixed central star
around which the feminine 1uminaries
had ambitiously beamed for the last
two seasons, each fondly hoping to be
the finally favored one.
But to the secret chagrin of each he
still maintained the same quiet court.
illness of manner toward them all. He
seemed quite as Indifferent to their
heart affairs as he would have been to
the pyramids Of Egypt.
This was the gentleman Lena was
bending all her energies to ensnare