Litchfield enquirer., 1863-04-09
Alisfellanp.
F The Wedding Gift

o"i at Such ioSS to Know What to gel for Kate Ellerton,' said Fanny Talbot, as she sat in the library one morning, busily set. ting purse. | do think il is one of the most perp!exing things in the world, to select wed ding present. sa. q.3 @..s-.-
 Yes,' replied her cousin Helen. as she as. sorted her worsteds, especially where the bride has fortune of her own. Kate has had everything her fancy or taste could wish all Ter life long, and she is to marry man who will lavish thousands upon her. What can one give her that she has not already?'
 True, it won't do to give her anything cheap or common. and yet don't feel like spending great deal for present which, after all she will care 50 little about .%5s
 What do you think of me, then If was as independent as you are, could make mag nifcent presents; but papa frets more and more every day about our expenses, which he says are really enormous. quite dread to ask him for dollar now, and he has forbidden me to get trusted s-.
 Really, cousin Helen, didn't dream you were go poverty stricken, said Fanny, laughing. 'Will you go down town with me and see what can be fonnd ? I must ge this very morning. I am afraid it will be difficult to fix upon any thing, for, as I said before, it must be some thing rare or peculiarly tasteful to suit Kate's fastidious taste.'
 sI will go, Fanny, but not to make any pur- chase today
 If were you, Helen, wouldn't think of giving Kate anything very expensive some little trife will show your kind feeling. and please her just as we'll
 But then, you know, all the presents will be paraded before everybody, and all sorts of comments made. I can see now the curl on Joanna Cushing's lips as she says, { so that was from Helen Chester; it is singular what taste some people have Oh, dear, must try to give her something decent
 It was weary, unproftable morning which the consins spent in bookstores, print sheps and iewelry establishments. Such quantities of gold and silver plate of every imaginable va riety, such glittering jewelry, such a grand pro fusion of entcing nicknacks of all conceivable Shapes and uses, passed in review before them as fairly to make their eyes ache ahd heads goy dizzy. Yet to all some objections had arisen this was common ; that was inelegant and in bad taste another too expensive ; and others, very many others, Kate already lad. The shopkespers wore unwearied in their en- deavors to please their fastidious cust omers, ard placed before them new piles of gems and trinkets, making the task of deciding every moment more impossible.
 T believe that shall take this," said Fanny at last, in despairing tone, laying her fingers on little watchstand of exquisite design. Even Kates taste must be satisfied with any thing so unique and beautiful as this.'
 The little watchstand was et alabaster the principal figure upon it was sleeping Cupid wrought into such symmetrical proportions, and with face of such bewitching sweetness, that Fanny had turned again and again to. look at it with fresh delight It gratii ed her artis- tic taste as nothing else had done during the morning. The only objection to it was the price-seventy i've dollars
 It is much more than I designed to give ndded she, but it is the only really beautiful thing have seen this morning-and as you say. Helen, one must give her something de- cent s4e a5t gs...t gs .Oh, 1 shoulin'. minl the price if l were you, answered her cousin, : tits 50 lovely, 80 exquisite. etsa
 But thore was q still small voice in Fanny : breast which remoi,strated. True, she had a arge fortune entirely at her own disposal, but tha, very morning she had resolved to spend the fortune as true hearted Christian woman should; and there now rose before her visions ofsuffering mothers, of starving children, and wandering outcasts, waiting to be relieved and fed and brought home to virtue. and she hesi- tated te gratify her taste by such an outlay.
 T will let you know to-morrow morning, she said, to the salesman, rousing herself from her reverie.
 'To-morrow is Sunday whispered Helen. Oh, yes, so it is Monday morning, then, if you will reserve it till that time.' It was getting late when Fanny and Helen hurried to the next square to reach their car riage. As they were rapidly threading their way in the crowd, Fanny ehanced to brush rather rudely against a poor woman, who turn ed toward her face of such extreme pallor and sadness, that she involuntarily paused an instant; but the crowd pressed between them, the face was lost, and Fanny hurried on. It was buta glimpse, yet that face haunted her; there was in it such an expression of heart broken sorrow and utter hopelessness, that she was sure some uncommon grief must have fallen upon its owner. Fanny longed to com fort her. to speak at least a word of kindness to that forlorn and desolate woman. Ah,' thought she, how many different kinds ofsor- row there afe in the world how many are wretched and miserable around me, while am wrapped about in luxuries. and can gratify ev-