Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-06-09
WHICH DO YOU PREFER {?
BIZ HENRY FIELDING.

''My son Fred wants meto go TO a
party with him tomorrow night,
said one lady to another, as they sat
in a comfortable parlor knitting and
chatting
"Sakes, why don't you go, dearr'
asked Mrs. Wilson. I'm sure l
would if my son asked me. amt
ben in company in sech long time
RELY think it nd do me good.
THAT is just what Fred said, and
he told me that your son, William,
remarked that he would take you to
the same party, if l would 60"
la sakes, did he so2 Well, he
amt said nothin' to me about it yet;
but to be sure would go if you
would. I'll fix up my brown silk
and put new ribbon on my cap.
We are old-fashioned folks, now, you
know, and it don't matter much how
we dress.
IT might have gone often" re-
sponded Mrs. Nichols, smoothing
out the folds of her gown, "but
somehow l never wanted to- Fred
is very anxious that l should meet
Miss Somebody Il forget who
some one he has taken a great fancy
to, and l think whoever Fred likes
must be a little extra; so, for Won
der, l am anxious togo. Well, good
morning. put my bread to risin',
and if l don't hurry it'll be over the
pans. - .." ...s e..
When William came home to sup
per he was surprised and a.little
disappointed to hear his mother say
she had decided to go with him to
the party the following evening. sa
AS Mrs. Wilson had said, both of
the mothers were plain, old+fash-
toned people. They had once. been
poor, both were widows, but by
thrift and much economy and self
denial they had managed to give
their sons a good education, and
these were now rising young men
with excellent prospectsg2 Being
good-looking, companionable. and
otherwise attractive they were both
favorites with the fair sex, and it
was regarded as a little singular
that, arrived at the ages, enc of %
and the other Of 30, they had not yet
taken wives unto themselves.
The night Of the party came.
William Wilson surveyed his mother
with critical eye as she came down
stairs, handkerchief in hand, attired
for the occasion.
Haven't you got a smaller hand
kerchief than that?" he asked, when
she spread it out on her lap, pre-
paratory to adjusting her cap in it
for the purpose of carrying it so that
it might not get crushed.
La, yes; but this yeres the
incest" she replied. II put this
great piece of lace around it pur-
pose. Why, don't you like itH"
ut is so terribly out of date" he
commented. Haven't you smaller
one" fH
''Oh, yes; ifyou say so I'll get one
er them. mites O things, but this is
more to my taste" tas-
swell, we must be going now.
When we get there Ishall have to
leave you for awhile, as l have to
| go and escort a young lady"
"Why, cert'nly," said the cheerful
old mother. IT shan't mind stayin'
and lookin' on at the folks as they
come in. It's nat'ral for young peo-
pie to like young people"
They walked nearly mils, and
the rooms were Just lighted up as
they arrived.
William put his mother in charge
of lady's maid and asked her to re-
main in the dressing-r room until he
came after her, and then hiring a
carriage he drove quarter of a mile
for a young lady of II.
| Mrs. Wilson, meanwhile, remained
chatting with the waiting-maid in
the dressing room, many of the ladies
coming in to remove their wraps
openly expressing their wonder as
to who the queer old lady could be-
she seemed so out of place.
On the other hand, Fred went
home in high glee, and when his
mother appeared ready for the party,
attired in her plain, old-fashioned
gray gown, he greeted her with the
exclamation:
"Why, mother, how nice you look
What a becoming cap that is, to be
sure. See, here is fan for you.
meant to buy you more stylish one,
but couldn't, so l hope this will serve
the purpose. 1t is rather pretty,
even if it is little plain.
''That is plenty good enough for
an old woman like me-" she re-
sponded, laughing.