The Banner-Democrat., 1897-10-30

\
stood high in favor, and some OF tn
performers produced surprising re
suits with it. Bob Logan said it bea
the opera house orchestra all hollow
Supper was served at IL. It wa
served on small tables in the dinin,
room, each of them ornamented by
tin csndlestick holding a tallow can
die. The refreshments were han
sandwiches and doughnuts and lem
onade.
''Hard-time sandwiches and povert,
Lemonade" Dwight explained, "no
to be served more than four times t.
any one person. But some of then
went beyond the limit and all of then
ate hungrily.
Then they danced an hour longer
Nobody wanted to go home then, the,
were having too good time. And
Bob Logan voiced the emphatic
opinion of everybody in neat speech
which he made from chair, strik
ing figure in coat split up the bacl
and hat of which nothing remained
but ragged brim.
81 desire to thank our host" he
said, ''for the most unique entertain.
ment--"
"And the bulliest," said Lynn
Trumbull.
''In the history of our club" said
Bob.
'Or any other" said the chorus.
"And if laughing is good for the
health as the doctors say it is" Boz
concluded, .We've all laughed
enough tonight to keep us alive and
well for the next twenty-five years. >
And there followed a volley OF
cheers, and a reluctant breaking up.
81 should like to know what these
young rascals of ours will think ur
next?" Dwight's father said, when
everybody had gone save Irene and
her mother.
''Irene thunk this up" said Dwight.
"We cannot complain, said Irene's
mother, eff all their projects are as
economical as this and as successful"
''It cost $2.63, said Dwight, sex.
actly."
"Well, now that you've had you1
fun," said his father, you'd better
take your money and give them the
party you expected to giye-hadnf
you?"
Dwight and Irene exchanged looks
Wouldn't for anythingl" said Dwight
hastily, Sim sick to death of pink
silk dresses and long gloves, and or
chestras behind palms, and chicken
salad and ice cream, and the rest of it
Aren't you, Irene?"
''Of course / am. We all are. ii
was blessed relief, Irene answered
And she added softly, with innocent
eyes on the chandelier.
81 heard Katy Delaney talking tc
Maggie Long this morning. She was
telling her all about her graduation
dress. It's going to be white, barred
with white ribbon trimmings.
She's got slippers and gloves and
fan and everything, and she's had
enough money left to get her mother
something to wear, so she can come
and see Katy graduate. She won
dered and wondered who sent her the
money, and she was so glad and happy
about it that she was crying"
"Pshaw!" said Dwight, and he be
gan to whistle.
whats all thisl" said his father.
''Irene Winslowr' said Dwight
warningly.
But his father refused to be left il
the dark. He smiled in a peculiar
and thoughtful way when Irene haG
finished the explanation, and he
looked Dwight over. He did not say
much; he remarked, merely, that he'0
just as lief have Dwight for a son as
any other boy he could think of just
that minute.
The hard-times party became cele
brated. The local paper printed de
tailed account of it, and the s. T. C.'s
talked about it for four weeks, and
went in groups and had their photo
graphs taken in the costumes they hac
worn.
But for Dwight and Irene the besi
of it came later, when Katy Delaney
read an essay at the high school com
and received her diploma.
She looked well in her white dress
with bows of white ribbon,
and she was radiant picture of pride
and bliss. And for Dwight and Irene
the best of the hard-times party was
then and there.-St. Louis Star.