The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1892-03-24
ID nc bark q the cottonwood tres
THAT OLD DRESS.
What It Did for.Its Self-SacrificinQ
Wearer.

Mrs Landgon had sent out cards CT
to her dear five hundred''
friends for grand bali 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 off, estab-
lishment, 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
tie 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 loyeliest silk at Stewards
that want to wear Can ! go and or
der i Tomorrow" she pleaded, laying
her white hand, flashing with jewels,
-lon his arm, and looking up into his face.
Haven't you any dresses to wearqn
lie asked, somewhat modify =.
Plenty of ord ones, which have al
ready been worn, and will not answer
for this particular event" she returned
How mulch will it cost?" Mr.. Greg
DRY asked.
oh. perhaps a 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.
How much do you want, Bertha?'
he asked turning towards her.
II don't think ! want any, papa.
have pretty dress, which will answer
very nicely" she replied sl-s
You're sensible girl, and the man
that gets you for wife will have
some one to help him keep his head
above water. Ii 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 tits economy, and retrenchment,
or everything will drift to bankruptcy.
That is the way business men always
talk, till it has become quite an old
story with me-" said Mrs. Gregory,
drawing breath of relief.
81 don't think papa is trying to
Brighten us at ALL" said Bertha. II
think his business does really perplex
: him. Eve noticed for week that he
has looked pale and careworn and he
said but little,
Was that the reason yon didn't want
a new ball dress?" asked Lena
Yes I'd rather wear an old one than
place papa to the expense of a 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.
II heard papa and Mr. Ainsley talk
: ing about business when, he was here
the other evening, and he said it was
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 imam old made-over ball dress, you
1a.. IL, - I, he xyin-
tory which may, perhaps, be won over
certain gentleman by your elder sis
ters more stylish toilet, you will re-
greet your decision in favor of Nine.
Noah's antediluvian costume" said
Lena, sneeringly.
I'm perfectly Indifferent to the
praise or contempt of the fashionable
world, for there is neither heart nor
sincerity in it, / want no dry goods
worshiper for my future liegel lord.
SO You have the field open and clear to
yourself"
Bertha, what dress have you to
wear? Hou haven't any that you've
not already worn two or three times,
at least, and desire my daughters to
make as elegant an appearance as any
eof their friends on this OCCASION" said
Mrs. Gregory
I'm going to have Nine Leicester
make over.my blue gros-grain silk, and
You know she is noted genius for re-
Sing worn ball dresses; but If, after
it is dones, it looks antediluvian and
smells musty, LII 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.
Lena purchased the new dress and
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
selfson she success she was determined
TO achieve.
Bertha's dress came from the mantta-
makers hands as beautiful as it could
be, and none would ever have sus-
pected it had flready been thrice worn
unless she had been seen with it on.
1t harmoniyed admirably with her
fair blonde complexion, forming q
vivid contrast TO- Lena's more brilliant