The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-03-04
THAT OLD DRESS.
What 1t Did for Its Sacrificing
Wearer.


friends for grand ball AZ 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 OFF, estab-
lishmeut, and their debut was intended
10 toe a very magnificent affair.
Mrs. Gregory. husband and daugh-
ters, were on the invited list. As the
former and two latter sat in their par
Tor, looking at the elegant carIs, 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, ''scc our invitations to Mrs Lang
don's great ball." showing him the
cards She held in her hand And
there Is the ioveliest silk at Stewart >
that want TO wear. Can go and or
der 1t tomorrow" she pleaded, laying
her white hand, flashing with jewels.
on his arm. and looking up into his face.
Haven YOU any dresses TO wcar?'
he asked, somewhat mOOd!ly.
Plenty of old ones- which have al
ready been worn, and VIII not answer
for this part .cular event" she returned
ory asked.
oh perhaps hundred and fifty"
said Lena, carelessly, with as little idea
of the value of money - an unfledgcd
bird.
Her father groaned and said some
thing about foolish extravaganza"
then, drawing out his pocllctbooil.
slowly counted out the required sum
and laid II on the table.
How much do YOU want. Bertha?"
he asked. turning towards her.
Il don't think / want any, papa.
have 4 pretty dress, which viii answer
very nicely" she replied
You're a scnsiblc girl. and the man
that gets Vou for Il wife will have
some one to help him keep his hca.,
above wafer II the pressure on the
money market lasts much longer, with
the>c demands to meet, shall soon be
:; load bankrupt" said Mr.. Gregory.
as hc left the room.
What Is the trouble with papa"
What does make him talk 50 doicfuI.y y
when lac - asked lor little money"
said Lena Anyone WOuld think hc
was 4 poor man"
1t is one oI his mOney-ncrvoUss spells;
he Is always 80 aira q his business al
then II l. economy. and rctruuchmcnt.
or everything will driit to ban.SrupJcy-
That i the way business men always
talk till it has hecome quite an old
story with me" said Mrs. Gregory,
drawing 4 breath Of relief
Il dont think papa is trying to
frichten rs at all" said Bertha. i
thinii his business does really pcrplcx
him. I've noticed for week that he
has looked pale and careworu and he
said hut little"
WAS that the reason yoU didn't want
new ball dress?" asked l. ma.
YES. I'd rather wear an old one than
place papa to the expense Of Il 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
u heard papa and Mr.. Ain-ley talk
ing aLout business when hc was here
tn. other evening, and he said it was
almost an impossiblity to get any
money AT al now" said Bertha.
We'll, You are little goosy; if You
will go to the grandcSt ball of the sea.
3 son in an old madc-ovcr bal dress, YOU
. can do 50. And when you see the vic
: tory which may, perhaps. bc won over
/ certain gentleman Ly your elder sis
, tcr's more stylish toilet, you viii re-
: gret your decision in favor Of Mime.
Noah's antediiuvian costume" said
! Lena, snecr.ngiy.
I'm perfectly Indifferent TO the
praise or contempt OF the fashionable
world, for there is neither heart nor
sincerity in 1t. | want no dry goods
. worshipcr for my future !iege lord.
! 80 you have the field open and clear to
: yourself"
{ Bertha. what dress have You 10
wear? You haven't any that you'vc
3 not already worn two or three times,
B at least, ana ] desire my daughters to
make as elegant an appearance aS any
of their friends on this occasion" said
; Mrs. Gregory.
I'm going to have Mime. Leicester
make over my blue gros-grain silk, and
you know she Is 4 noted genius for re-
newing worn ball lrcssc,; but if. ntcr
/ it is done. il looks antediluvian and
smells musty I'll do penance by stay
Z ing at homc," said Bertha.
! DO just as you prefer; but think
j your father would give you a new one
: if you wished it said her mother.
J Lena purchased the new dress and
had it made up without regard to cX-
. pcnse, and IL was exquisite when done
} nd extremely becoming To the young
! lady, who had been cougratulating her
self on the success she was determined
. to achieve.
Bertha dress came from the mantua-
makers hands as beautiful as il could
; be. and none would ever have sus-
pected it had already been thrice worn
unless she had been seen with II on.
1t harmonized admirably with her
fair blonde complexion, forming u
vivid contrast To Lena's more brilliant
style of personal attractiveness anu
bright, orangc-colorcd robe.
Or the day previous to the ball Clara
Ainsley called, o sister of Hugh Aims
ley, who was the fixed central star
around which the feminine luminarics
had ambitiousiy bea:ned for the last
two seasons, each iondly hoping TO bc
the finally favored one.
But II the secret chagrin Of each he
still maintain q the same quict cour,
illness of manner toward them all. He
seemed quite as indifferent TO their
heart affairs as he would have been TO
tn" pyramids of Egypt.
This was the gentleman Lena was
beading al her energies To cnsnarc
and bring TO her feet before the pres
ent s"ason clio
Clara was an intimate friend OF both
the girls aud she was invited upstairs
to see the dresses, which had just been
seut home. Their beauty she warmly
oxpntiated ON, but Lena would not al
low her to leave until she had told her
of Bcrtha's wonderful lit of economy
The combined eutreaties OF all the
trio could not induce Mr.. Gregory tc
accompany th.m t. Ms Lan-ipn 3