The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1892-02-04
THAT OLD DRESS.
What Il Did for It's Self Sacrificing
Wearer.

Wearer.
Mrs. Lapdgon had sent out cards Ct
invitation to her "dear five 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 off" estab- !
lishment and their debut was intended
to be a very magnificent affair.
Mrs. Gregory, husband and daugh-
ters, We're 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 ut Stewards
that want to wear. Can go 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 it cost?" Mr.. Greg
ory asked.
"Oh, perhaps a hundred and fifty"
said Lena, carelessly, with as little idea
of the value of money as an unfedged
bird.
Her father groaned and said some
thing about foolish extravaganza"
then, drawing out his poclxetbook,
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 l want any, papa. 1
have pretty Dress which will answer
very nicely" she replied.
You're sensible girl, and the man
that gets you for a 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, 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 q little money!"
said Lena. Anyone would think he
was poor man"
''Tt is one OF his rnoney-nervous spells;
he is always SO afraid his business af-
fairs won't come out just so straight;
then it is economy, and retrcnchment
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.
II don't think papa is trying tc
frighten us at all,' said Bertha. 81
think his business does really perple1
him. I've noticed for a week that h,
has looked pale and careworn and he
said but little"
"Was that the reason you didn't wan
new ball dress?" asked Lena.
, "Yes. I'd rather wear an old one thar
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 t.
know SO much about monetary affairs
J. my daughter?" said Mrs. Gregory.
II heard papa and Mr.. Ainsley talk
o ing about business when he was here
the other evening, and he said it wa
almost an inpossibility to get any
!. money at all now" said Bertha.
"Well, you arc little goosy; if yor
will go to the grandcst ball Of the sea
son in an old raade-ovor ball dress, yo,
can do so. And when you see the vic
tory which may, perhaps, be won owe
a certain gentleman by your elder sis
ters more stylish toilet, you will re
gret your decision in favor of Nine
Noah's antediluvian costume" saiC
Lena, sneeringly.
I'm perfectly Indifferent to tn
praise or contempt of the fashionabl
world, for there is neither heart no
sincerity in it. / want no dry good
worshiper for my future lieges 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 an appearance as an,
of their friends on this OCCASION" SAT-
= Mrs. Gregory.
4 'Im going to have Nine. Leiceiste
y make over my blue gros-grain silk, an
you know she is a noted genius for re
newing worn ball dresses; but it, afte
q it is done, it looks antediluvian an,
\ smells musty, I'll do penance by stay
> ing at home," said Bertha.
do just as you prefer: but thinl
e your father would give you new on
t. if you wished it." said her mother.
/. Lena purchased the new dress an,
. had it made mp without regard to ex
: pense, and it was exquisite when don
and extremely becoming to the youni
+ lady, who had been cougratulating her
n self on the success she was determine
j. to achieve.
l. Bertha's dress came from the man tua
mclSpr'S hands nc baartif,Il ne IL cOul