The Prescott daily news., 1912-08-19
Wicked Grandmother

NS'St hiHeu lAdt sue won't wear her new dress to the party tomorrow. She wants to wear her old one!"
 Grandmother Hilton, to whom the remark was addressed. passed over this unnatural state of mind without comment. "Why doesn't she want to wear the new one7" she asked.
 She says 1t makes her look funny" moaned Harriet's mother. "She says it's not like the other girls dresses. | Well, l didn't want 1t to be like the other girls dresses. I tried so hard to make 1t have a little Individuality.
 "Oh!" said Grandmother Hilton. Of course you're right. dear" she said. after moments reflection, but since 1t makes her so unhappy don't you think 1t would be better to let her wear the old one2"
 When she has a perfectly new one?" cried Mir. Martin, desperately,
 At this moment Harriet's tear stain ed face appeared in the doorway.
 Then can l not go to the party, mother?" she hiccoughed.
 Harriet" said her mother. sternly, you will go to that party and you will wear the very pretty and unusual looking dress that I got for you. Not another word, please"
 Harriet gave vent to her feelings in sudden loud howl. "Oh." she walled. How can you be so mean to me? don't mind a bit staying at home if you will let me, but 1t will just kill me to wear that dress. There isn't another girl in the world that has one like it. I cant bear to wear it."
 Mrs. Martin looked at her own mother Did you ever hear anything like 1t? It's ridiculous!" she exclaim- ed, forlornly.
 The atmosphere of the household was fraught with gloom during the rest of the day Harriet's swollen eyes and general air of desolation gave the place the effect of a tomb. When Harriet's father-who went up- on the general principle that Harriet should be allowed to do exactly as she pleased so long as 1t would do her no ' the cause of his daughters deep de pression, he laughed.
 Well, for goodness sake, why don't you let the kid wear the old one?" he inquired.
 Then he observed the firm line made by his wife's lips and he knew there was no use in discussing the matter further A new silver dollar bestowed on Harriet helped to relieve the tension, but the watery little smile which he received was a far cry from the joyous peal of laughter that he had hoped for. Consequently he. too. was depressed and silent
 After Harriet had gone to school the next morning Mrs. Martin, with the air of a defiant culprit. took the bone of contention into her mothers room. Now. isn't it a pretty dress?" she asked. belligerently,
 Indeed 1t is." said Grandmother Hilton with enthusiasm. Its just as pretty as 1t can be, but 1t Is rather different from the way most of the girls dresses are made, isn't it?"
 "T wanted 1t to be different" said Mrs. Martin, obstinately. Tt Is so much prettier than the way dresses are made now and I want Harriet to have a little independence.
 Grandmother Hilton smoothed out the soft folds gently. There was no hint of guile in her tone. nor was there in her sweet face when she spoke again.
 Don't you think it needs pressing. Genevieve?" she asked. Suppose you let me run down to the kitchen and smooth 1t out a little"
 "Oh. will you. mother?" said Mrs. Martin gladly. Tt does need pressing and I'm so rushed this morning that don't see how I'll get time to do It." Grandmother Hilton's face was still as innocent as that of a newborn babe when she began gently to run the iron over the delicate little frock. It was surely no fault of hers that she was suddenly the victim of an at tack of sneezing. It was not until she had sneezed three times rather de iberately that she remembered she had left the hot iron resting on the hlmy frock When she lifted 1t the imprint of the whole iron showed plainly. Tn one place the material was burned quite through! Mutely she gathered up the dress and meekly she laid the evidence of her evil do- lngs before her daughter.
 I'm afraid I'm getting very care