St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-03-19
THAT OLD DRESS.
What II Did for It's Selc-Sacriacia9
~. Wearer.

What II Did for It's selc-sacrinciaa
~. Wearer.
Mrs La1dGon had sent out cards cf
invitation TO her dear Eve hundred''
friends for grand ball ut her elegant
residence on Fifth avenue, in honor al
the entrance Of her twin daughter
into society.
They had just been graduated Il
some fashiouable finishing of" estab-
lishment, and their debut was intended
to be . very magnificent affair.
MrA Gregory, husband and daugh-
ters, 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 entrancs Of Mr. Gregory, who
looked harasscd 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 Stewart's
that I 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 moodily.
PLENTY Of old ones, which have al
ready been worn, and will not answer
for this particular event" she returned
How much will il cost?' Mr.. Greg
ory asked
'Oh, perhaps . hundred and fifty,"
said Lena. eareiessly. with rs little idea
OF the value OF money rs an undedGed
bird.
Her father groened and said some
thing about foolish extravagance,"
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.
Il don't think I want any, papa. I
have . pretty dress, which will answer
very nicely" she replied.
you're . sensible girl. and the man
that gets you for o 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. 1 shxll'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 |
said Lena '.Antone would think he
was . poor man"
''ls is one Of his money-nervouss spells;
Ec is always % afraid his business A.
fairs won't come out just so straight;
then it il economy. and retrenchment
or everything viii drift to bankruptcy.
That Il the way business men always
talk, till It has become quite IN old
story with me," said Mr2 Gregory,
drawing . breath of relief
II don't think papa il trying to
frighten M at all" said Bertha. Il
think his business does really perplex
him. I've noticed for . week that he
has looked pale and careworn and he
said but little"
WAS that the reason yon didn't want
. new hall dress?" asked Lena
'Ycs I'd rather wear an old one than
place papa TO the expense Of a new ope
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.. Ainslcy talk
ing about business when he was here
the other evening, and he said Il was
almost an impossibility to get any
money II al now" said Berthe.
swell, you ere little gooey; il you
will 60 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 over
. certain gentleman by your elder sis .
ter's more stylish toilet you will re- .
gret your decision in favor Of Mime. ,
Noah's antedilavian costume" said
Lena. sneeringiy.
I'm perfectly Indifferent to the
praise or contempt of the fashionable
world, for there is neither heart nor
sincerity in il want no dry goods !,
for my future liegel lord.
So Won have the 6eld open and clear to
yourself" :
..Bertha. what dress have you to
wear? You haven't any that you've :
,ot already worn two or three times.
It least, and desire my daughters to !
make rs elegant an appearances IS any 4
# their friends on this occasion. ssid 4
Mrs. Gregory. b
I'm going to have Nine Leicester h
make over nv blue gros-grain silk. and s
,ou know she ID . noted genius for re-
lcwing worn ball dresses; bat II, after
t is done, IL loolrs sntediluvian and
meils musty. I'll do penance by stay 81
M at home" said Bertha
do just as you prefer; but ] think !
our father would give You . new one =
I you wished it" said her mother. r.
Lena purchased the new dress and d
I'd it made mp without regard to ex- Il
ense, and il WAS exquisite when done "
nd extremely becoming to the young y
ldy, who had been cougratulating her b
elf on the success she was determined 81
D achieve. Il
Bertha,s dress came from the mantuar p,
,aker's hands rs beautiful Is 1t could di
e, and none would ever have sus- 81
ected it had slready been thrice worn fil
Mess she had been seen with II on SC
It harmonixcd admirably with her ~
air blonde complexion. forming m
ivid eontrast 70 Lena's move brilliant y