Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-07-02

Clllu ulu NY euihs Win
out any conscious effort. Indeed, 1t
was my well known "knack at figger
In" that induced old Dcacol!Oudley,
the supervisor, to bestow upon me the
much coveted Center school. 1t was
the largest in town, the hardest and |
the best paid. was only eighteen at
the time, but family misfortunes, fol-
father, made the necessity for employ
ment urgent and imperative.
Heavily handicapped by youth and
my first term was sue
cession of disappointments and disil-
lusions.
Gradually as became acquainted
with my pupils and accustomed to my
duties I acquired the faculty of ad-
justing myself to my surroundings
after which my work became much
easier and more satisfactory. Term
after term passed until felt my posi-
ton to be assured. For six years l
held It, cipherlng annually through the
higher algebra, to the wonder of my
pupils and the satisfaction of their
parents. Being district school. there
could be no real graduation, but grad
ually the day had taken upon itself the
dignity and Importance of an annual
celebration.
At first had been one of its most
enthusiastic supporters, believing that
its coveted successes would not only
stimulate ambition and reward indus
try, but would also tend toward the
establishment of q much needed free
high school. Yet now realized, with
pain, that 1t babe fair to be culmina-
ton Of jealousy, unkind emulation and
unnecessary extravaganza.
The leader in every extravagant de-
vice was naturally enough Muriel Ma
son, only daughter of the richest man
in town. Born to command, she held
her own against all opposition until
the subject Of dress was broached.
In her case the important gown was
to be u dainty creation Of white lace
and surah; therefore she decreed that
her classmates should likewise drape
themselves in white.
"That is not fair" protested Lura
Haley, who delighted in gay fabrics
and vivid coloring. II am sure don't
want to nccentuate my natural ugli-
| ness"
at won't make any difference on the
stnge," said Muriel with careless un
kindness.
After this experimental tilt, as NJ
further opposition was hazarded. the
white dress rule was supposed to bt
imperative. That evening Dolly Kemp
ton came to me, her pretty face cloud
ed, her young arms loaded.
Poor Dolly! OWNED her trouble be
fore she voiced it. She was delicate
little creature, studious and refined, yet
not exactly popular among her mates
She was poor, undisguisedly and unde
niably SO. She lived with her widowed
mother and an aged woman known n!
Aunt Marty, a queer, irresponsible oil
body, who with the slightest possible
claim had burdened them for years
With pauperism staring her in the fac
she had fled for shelter to Mrs. Kemp
ton, who was herself in straitenel
circumstances. The connection be
tween them was Of the slightest ant
entailed neither. legal nor moral obi
CATION, yet she<cared for the poor sou
kindly, SO stretching her meager in
come that 1t covered the bare necessi
ties Of life for the three-herself, he
daughter and their perennial guest.
knowing the circumstances, l coul,
well understand what perpleXinl
question graduating expenses must b
in that pinched household, but wa
hardly prepared for the solution whicl
Dolly's big bundle contained. Sh
opened 1t, spreading before my aston
ished eyes n garment quantity beautl
full in tint and texture, but grotesqu
in figure and design-nn ancient dres
of white silk tissue, gayly brocade'
with huge garlands of pink roses an
green leaves. The fabric itself was eS
quisitely fine and delicate, the ground
work time yellowed into the softes
ivory tint; but, alas, the passing year
had wrought no such refining chang
upon the overblown roses and over
grown leaves running riotously owe
the scant skirt and low bodice of thi
impossible gown.
"Dear Miss Deacon" said Dolly, wit
a little nervous laugh that had In it
hint of tears, "do you think that an
circumstances or combination of Gil
cumstances could make 1t ones dut
to wear that for graduating dressY'
looked at her In establishment.
"Mother wants me to wear it." sh
went on, land indeed want to. afte
n fashion. yet, all the same, my sol
abhors those ancient roses. You SCI
1t was Aunt Martyrs wedding gov
and, in her eyes, as fine and valuabl
as ever. Through all the shifts an
changes Of her most unhappy life sh
has chung to this sole relic of happie
days. fancy that after her husband
death his people made much of her 70
a time. Her father was wealthy, an
there was always the chance of his re
lenting, but as one by one her ovel
lures were ignored and her letters re
i turned unopened this possibility gre,
less and less until after the famil
moved east 1t ceased altogether. Sh
was never strong or smart or capable
and little by little every ones patienc
gave way until even our home, with 1t
many prlyations, seemed very have
Of rest to her.
This afternoon Mrs. Mason Gale
and talked Of nothing but "the neces
sary expenses of the coming occasion.
She left poor auntie nearly frantic an
absolutely determined to throw her
self upon the town. She had felt 1t he
duty ever since she became SO helples
with rheumatism. Nothing but tn
fact that she had rather die than liv
with Mary Ann Biggs had kept he
with us for the last year. Poor oil,
soul! She would have a hard time witt
that rough woman In that great barn
full Of paupers. We have made our
selves out perfect yanderbilts to kee]
her quiet, but today she would not b
paclfled and, after nearly crying her
self sick, wrote to the selectmen. BE
fore she sent fha letter hoUayar oh