The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-10-19
CALISTA MEADE'S DEBUT.

tons: and when Callsta Meade went |
away to the school Of elocution in New
York everybody felt that, in some way. |
the village itself had received a big |
boost, and some Of the most daring |
actually ventured to discuss the Ques-
ton Of applying for a city charter in
the near future. |
1t was a new thing then for a girl
to go away from home to study elocu-
ton as an art; for, although there
were plenty Of so-called good readers.
some excellent declaimers, among
the young lady graduates OF the Fair
field academy, the idea of studying
reading with a view to making a pro-
fession of it was, to say the least, a
startling one to the inhabitants Of that
thriving village.
In the first place, Calista was a
great favorite, not only for her fresh
and rather aristocratic style Of beauty
"A heritage from the original Meades
but for her "smartness," and, least of
all. her frank, kindly disposition.
Fairfield folks took a remarkably un-
selfish pride in their talented young
Woman, dHd "AChD 0PctA
turn home for good" it was under
stood that she would make her debut
in the Town hall on Christmas night,
the whole village. prepared to don It's
finest feathers.
But at home what a hustle and COM
motion there was getting Callsta
ready for the reading!"
Grandma urged the loan OF her treas
ured gold beads, or, at n rate, OF the
reaI lace fchu that had always been
too rood to wear herself C"but nothing
could be too good for 'Lista to speak
her piece in"). Mother was sure that
her gold watch and chain would not
come amiss, for it would be really nee
essary to have a watch on hand to
time herself by; and Tom, with half
shy. boyish eagerness, insisted that his
gold dogs head" cuff buttons, the
pride and delight Of his honest heart,
were entirely at her disposal for that
one evening.
It was all very pleasant, if a trife
perplexing, this multiplicity of riches
that she could not utilize; but the real
pathos Of it was all reached when
Uncle Ben dropped in, one bright,
frosty morning, on his way to market,
to say "how-d'ye-do" to sister Mary
and 'Lista, and to give a private mes
sage to the latter from his crippled
daughter, little Joan.
Joan? Well, she's pretty well-as
we'll as she'll ever be this side o
Heaven, poor little creetur!" and the
old mans lip trembled, and he brush
ed furtively with one toilworn hand a
tear from his Wrinkled cheek. yes;
she's quite comfortable jest now, and
in a terrible tWitter over 'Listys eXhl-
bition next Monday night. She feels
it dretfully because she can't get GU
to it herself; but she told me to tel
you"-and he drew his pretty niece
head down so that he could whisper II
her ear, with a humorous affectatior
of ~secrecy-"that she's maxim some
thin jest lovely FIR you to wear. She
has to work on it betweenwhiles, OF
account O her spasms o paln; bu
she'll have it done in time FIR the show
so you may depend ont sure"
The tears sprang to Calista's eyes
for the loving devotion of the littl
cripple never failed to touch a yer.
tender spot in her heart.
But what is it, Uncle Ben, or is tina
to be a secret, tOO?'
The old mar screwed his wrinkle
face into something as near jocularlt,
as it's careworn lines would allow:
Don't ask mel amt supposed t
know 6. thing about it. But I'll sa
this much. with a smile of tender prid
that had a touch of shamefacedness i
it, its scmethin' that nobody'd b
ashamed~o wear-not even the presl
dents VIE, nerSel1.
It's somthing to wear, then?" coax
ed the girl.
Uncle Der laughed, a little, tantaliz
ing cackle, as he gathered himself t(
gether for a final leave-taking.
You'll see FIR yerself; don't ask me
Poor little Joan! What can she (
planning for me to wear! The poor Ii
tie dot don't have a penny that ST
can call her own, and she hasn't a b
of skill with her needle"
Mrs. Meade shook her head doubtful
ly.
I'm afraid it is something altogeth'
unsuitable for you to wear, and
would almost break her heart-and h
fathers too, for that matter-not
have you wear the gift, whatever it is
Calista's face flushed, and the tend
light in her eyes grew brighter, as 81
said, with that little air of determine
ton that her mother understood III
always respected:
"Whatever it is, I shall wear it. WI
would sooner wear a teakettle on n
head tina grieve two such loviI
hearts as Joan's and uncle Ben's.'
A reckless vaunt, thought MI
Meade. but she wisely held her peac
and when, early Monday morning, s.
caught sight of uncle Ben's sorrel ma
in the distance, her heart misgave NJ
Nor can we wonder at her nervo
solitude, considering that every lite
of the young d~ebutante's dress n
been carefully selected and arrang
(only that morning a box OF beaut
othouse roses for her corsage bouqu
had been received from the New 70
c~ousins), and now not a glove butt
or slipper tie could be changed Wltho
marring the general effect.
Good morning, Mary-good mornl
Calista! %Snappin' cold weather tn
Well, now, what did 1 tell ye?" setti1
the box gingerly upon the table, a.
giving his niece a tap upon the al
meant to be at once jscose and tend'
Didn't [ tell We that the present shou
be on hand in time FIR the shoW?'
Meanwhile the old man had careful
removed the ape wrapper from t
box. and with a good deal of tantal