The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-12-13
BIDDEFoRD, MAINE, FRIDAY

Is right, and your education mas Deen neg
lected, and mean Immediately to set abou
reforming the defect"
"You can do as you like" said Isabel
hlughtily. al intend to wed rich HUSBAND
whose wealth win preclude the necessity o
my becoming kitchen drudge"
EYES," said Emma; but knowledge o
housekeeping will not be of any disadvan
tage to us, rich or poor, Bell"
Isabel toss,d her head. ..
"Just as you choose but I'm not to b
domincered over any longer by our Uncle
Joseph! !"
"You have made very sensible decision
my dear" said the old gentleman, wher
Emma announced her intention to him thai
evening
"Let Bell marry second Cresus, II she
likes. In this world Of reverses and change
she may one day discover that there are some
requirements more precious than the winged
gold she values so highly.
Emma Medworth''s fashionable acquaint.
ances were shocked by the tidings that she
had begun the study Of kitchen lore; some
pronounced her little deranged, Others
wondered at her vulgar taste, and few, very
few, thought secretly that she was sensible
girl. Isabel aud her wealthy lover, II is
needless to add, were not not among these
last.
Two years afterwards, one Of those devas.
tating commercial crises before whose simoom
breath fortunes melt away, and the boarded
treasures of years are scattered to the four
winds of heaven, swept through the country.
Mrs. Medworth's small compentence was in
volyed in the general ruin, and this was not
all. Her widowed daughter Isabel, whose
palace Of wealth had been shattered by the
misiortunes of one disastrous week, returned
to her mothers house, dependent aud heart
broken, burden to those who were i'll able
to support her.
Uncle Joseph quietly watched the course
of events. and smiled to himself, Us he OBJ
served Emma 5 mistaken courage and yivacity,
and the excellent applications she made Other
household accomplishments. Now, indeed.
she had learned their value.
"Nice girl, that" solilOquized Uncle Jo-
scph, on his way to the bankers; "not the
sort to break down and melt away, like u
snow-wreath, at the first touch Of calamity.
| like little Emma. Twenty years old to-day.
is she? Well, must see il the old man can't
find some sort Of an acceptable present for
her." .t b..
The carriage which was to convey old Mr..
Msdworth to the railrood depot was at the
door-he had hidden each member Of the
family adieu, with the single exception OF his
youngest nioce--and as he gave her q part.
ing kiss, he said frankly;
"My dear, I'm getting to be an old man,
and these visits to the city begin to seem like
weighty undertakings 50 it isn'tat all likely
you will ever see me again. Don't inter
rupt me, child; know you're fond OF your
old uncle, but shall love you just as well
then. even il don't have chance to tell
you SO every day. haven't forgotten that
this is your birthday" he added, slipping q
little box into her hand; sand don't think
can do better with my money than purchase
the happiness Of the iavorite niece who fol-
lowed my advice years ago.
And before Emma could ask an explanation
the old man was gone leaving his sister :
law-and her daughters in a perfect maze Of
bewilderment. ....
"What can he mean ?'' exclaimed Mrs.
Medworth. ale was always strangely &C.
centric"
"Do open the box, Emma" said Isabel,
eagerly IL am dying to discover this mys
terry :"
But Emma still stood motionless, and Isa-
bel snatched the box from her hand and un-
elasped the lid.
'It is empty" she exclaimed, in an ac-
cent of disappointment and yexation, tossing
the box from her.
But, even as it foil, tiny strip Of paper
fu,tercd out. Isabel stopped and picked it
up;-it was check for twenty thousand
dollars. .-
49," exclaimed the naughty young wild
ow, when her first astonishment had subsid-
ed s.your housekeeping has proved fortune
to you, Emma. Really, II | had foreseen
this brilliant denouemeni, might have been
inclined to play the dutiful niece myself -
"NIy dear Isabel" said Mrs. Medworth
gravely, 81 regret as much as you do that
your uncle failed to perceive in your charac-
ter the wisdom and good sense ho has found
in that Of Emma.
The young widow did not reply; perhaps
she was thinking that, after all, a wealthy
husband is not the best investment a woman
can make of herself in this uncertain world.
Orr ory TuE Rack I,EGs or YouR CuAIRs.-