New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1892-10-05
FERNS NEW GOWN.
BY CORA LOWE MARcEAu.

y
Il said that could not 90 to the
party without it," she faltered, grow
ing red and white by turns, eager,
hopeful and despairing as she watched
his astonished face.
Didn't Igive youmoney for gown
last week."
Yes, father, but that was a street
dress-I made it myself and saved
enough to get a pretty chip hat
and"
every commendable, very"
And the architect turned to his draft
ing table and once more knit his
brows over his work, evidently for
getting even her presence.
Poor Fern was ready to cry. She
turned away in despair and met the
assuring smile of the broad, bland,
homely face ofMeloria the overworked
and underpaid domestic.
"Sure sir, ye can't refuse her. The
child never gets Off the patch. Now
give her the money-it won't take
how much did We say, Miss Fernsie?"
''Not more than $40, because I'll
use my old" @.-
Haven't got S. to spare" came
the brusque retort, as Mr.. Hayward
drew a long straight line in a founda-
ton.
Fern turned away once more. Even
Meloria was doomed to a. rebuff and
Melorla was generally considered in
vincible.
But not so; the sturdy young wo.
man advanced to the table and plac-
ing her rough red hands upon the
edge and leaning forward, said with
unctuous determination:
'Then, sir, pay me my back salary
or you'll get no shirts. There is not
one ironed and there won't be none
till you pay me or her." .s.
And she laughed triumphantly as the
architect drew himself up proudly be-
fore her.
Leave the room, Miss Imperti-
nence, Fern, if you permit"
"She is not to blame that 1 don't
get my pay" stanchly replied the girl,
without moving an inch, "and if I
leave, the dear knows when you'll get
all those shirts ironed. I've foreseen
trouble this good while and / just
ironed your clothes as you needed
them. That''-pointing tragically to
the glistening, starched linen-That is
the last one ye have"
Fern trembled visibly. Her fathers
expression changed from rage to as
constituent, from astonishment to
submission. &'@
How much do 4 owe your" with
an effort at offended dignity.
'"Twenty-seven dollars and thirty
five cents, includin' the starch and
soap 1 bought ON my own account :
impossible, he replied, with D dis
senting flourish Of a. foot-rule in one
hand and compass in the other. -.
''Well, I'm ready to hear what We
says"
"Oh, Meloria! What shall do if
you go?" asked Fern, in an agony of
suspense.
Meloria shook one hand behind her
to assure her young mistress, but the
front, of the attack was severe and
unrelenting as ever. ~.
mot clint less-sure many another
girl would be chargin' We wild extra for
the Thursdays I've staid in and
brushed your clothes for lodge meetin'
an Sundays"
'And your gown, Fern?"
ooh" Fern was Just going to say
'tnever mind" but Meloria interrupt
ed
"Fen dollurs, sir"
"Well, since you are SO foolishly ex-
travagant, I'll giveit to you. And as
foryou,' turning a. wrathful face to
the servant, "you may gather those
Iplans'up and" ...-~
"Hooray! Now, Miss Fernsie, Yell
'have'the dress and if we don't be the
ibelle'otth eball, Meloria Gillighan aim
the sense OF bat,' and gathering
her buster and channels skin under
her arm she waved herthand in triumph
.andrnoisly left the room.
When alone with her father Fern be-
gan to lbeg his lpardonfor her compan-
ion's behavior, but her father only re-
,eeived the overtures with a sniff of
contempt Most people he could awe
with pnetof his terrible chances. Fern
loved him dearly but stood in NOR
tai dread OF his anger and sullen
fromns. Melonia was the only indi-
V1Gual OF UnOSe under MIN IN the So
cial scale who could brave the terrific
seoml OF disappro baton.
''Gou lllphold that Wretched creature
in her unbounded impertinence, but
she shall leave; she shall leave
FERN turned away with a sigh. Me
loria WAS the sUanch alley in every
contest and Fern often wondered how
long her patience would exist under
the usual tension of her fathers I'M
reasonabasness, and dreaded her fol-
lowing her threats into execution.
II was worse than useless to argue
with her father, SO she quietly began
TO sort the papers and roll his CLANS
into long cylinders OF the ghstening
fabric.
After time her father donned his
scrGupulously neat but old-fashioned
over-coat and nuch-brushed silk hat,
and with the pom pous air OF a raid