Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1892-02-10
THAT OLD DRESS.
What It Did for Its Self-Sacrinoina
Wearer.


Mrs Landgon had sent out cards ct
invitation to her dear Eve 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 finishing or estab-
hshment, and their debut was intended
to be 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 60 and or
der 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 modify.
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 unfledged
bird
Her father groaned and said some,
thing about foolish extravaganza"
then, drawing out his pocketbook.
slowly counted out the required sum
and laid it on the table.
Flow much do you want, Bertha?'
he asked, turning towards her.
II don't think / want any, papa.
have a pretty dress, which will answer
very nicely" she replied.
You're sensible girl, and the man
that gets you for wife will have
some one to help him keep his head
above water If the pressure on the
money market lasts much longer, with
these demands to meet, l shall soon be
a 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"
at is one of his homogeneous spells
he is always so afraid his business at
fairs won't come out just so straight
then it is economy. and retrenchment
or everything 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 te
frighten us at ALL" said Bertha '.'l
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 now ball dress9" asked Lena.
"Yes. I'd rather wear an old one thar
place papa to the expense of new on,
now, while money is SO hard to raise,
replied Bertha
Pray inform us how you came Il
know SO much about monetary affairs
my daughter?" said Mrs. Gregory.
81 heard papa and Mr.. Ainsley talk
ing about business when he was her,
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 yor
will go to the grandest ball of the sea
son in an old made-over ball dress, yo,
| can do so. And when you see the vic
Tor i0h 1,a
a certain gentleman by your elder sis
ter's more stylish toilet, you will re
greet your decision in favor of Nine
Noah's antediluvian costume" sait
| Lena, sneeringly.
''rm perfectly Indifferent to tn,
praise or contempt of the fashionabl,
! world, for there is neither heart no.
] sincerity in it. l want no dry good
worshiper for my future liege! lord
So you have the field open and clear t,
| yourself"
Bertha. what dress have you t
wear? You haven't any that you'v,
not already worn two or three times
at least, and desire my daughters t,
make as elegant al appearance as an!
of their friends on t.iis OCCASION" sait
Mrs. Gregory.
''Im going to have Nine. Leiceiste
make over my blue gros-grain silk, ant
I you know she is u noted genius for re
newing worn bali dresses; but if, aftel
it is done, it looks antediluvian ano
smells musty I'll do penance by stay
ing at home,'' said Bertha
DO just as you prefer; but thinl
your father would give you a new ON
if you wished it" said her mother.