Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1906-07-04

n after them the parents ana Otner
grown uDs' sn3oyed the lawn tea.
But the girls buried home to change
! their dresses or freshen up for the
evening reception.
1t was a little after dusk. The dim
streets grew ever and again m
tarily brilliant With the light of Roman
candles or the radiance Of Catherine
wheels. The cheerful pop of count
less f~irecrackers ~resounded through the
air.
The reception was in full swing when
Mrs. Danesford sought a moments
rest and quiet in the breakfast room.
A screen had been pushed near an
open window, and she sat down be-
hind it. She mad determined to take
Kathleen Hunt home with her. if she
would come, as reader and companion.
She would offer the widowed mother
a cottage near her own magnificent
mansion on the banks of the Hudson.
The daughter should be hers by day,
the real mothers by night.
"Try it," Mrs. Jerome had said. eff
the plan succeeds l may try the other"
A group of girls, merry, chattering,
aocked into the room. A torn skirt
seemed to have been the cause of their
| coming. Mrs. Danesford did not move,
thinking they would go out in a mo-
ment.
'Did you see that dress of Joyce's?"
demanded June. Her last summers
one, and darned, at that"
"Kathleen's looked about ten cents a
yard" added Laura. eff they're as
| poor as that comes to they have no
business here"
She stopped abruptly. Mrs. Danes
ford thought at first that they had seen
her behind the screen, but the silence
was caused by the entrance of Joyce
and Kathleen.
1--WE couldn't help hearing you," re-
marked Joyce.
You have no right to decide that
we are poor because we don't dress as
you do" said Kathleen. "Some people
think it in bad taste to dress much be-
fore you come out"
Mrs. Danesford could see them all
Joyce and Kathleen, in their shabby
frocks, contrasting so painfully with
the chiffons and crepe de chimes of the
others. But Joyce stood, erect and
proud, her eyes aglow. Laura and
June looked at them coolly.
Il fully admit it was no business of
mine," replied June icily.
"You are right-it is no business of
yours" here struck in Joyce. "And,
for my part, it does not matter to me
at all that you should know We are
poor, very poor. Poverty is no dis
grace. This is the Fourth of July"
she went on, her color rising. ut is
the anniversary Of the day when our
fathers shook off unjust and CALLING
bondage. Let us, Kathleen,' she said
to her friend, "shake off an allegiance
to a lie. No, we do not dress like this
from choice. We prefer crepe de
chimes to ten-cent lawns. But, not to
have every dress in New York, would
l care as much for such things as you
do!' Her eyes blazed upon the girls in
front of her. Nor choose my friends
by the amount of their drygoods' bills.
No, poverty is no disgrace, and wealth
you have not earned no merit. no
honor, except as it is well and nobly
spent"
what a Fourth of July oration,"
sneered Laura. ITS a pity none of the
guests can hear YOU"
"One of them has," said Mrs. Danes
ford, coming forward. She put her
hand on Joyce's shoulder. Come with
me, my dear. l want a little talk with
you and my sister,"
+ y II
Joyce and her mother are very happy
in the little cottage C'part of your sal
airy, my dear" Mrs. Danesford had
said by the waters of the noble Hud-
son. Kathleen never knew how near
that dainty home came to being hers,
nor did Joyce eve learn that she owed
it to her "Declaration of %Independ-
ence.'-Frances Harmer.