The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1870-07-07


still continue TO oblige the gver, lv remem.
bering that each time she makes use of any of
these familiar articles, she has fairly and hon
estly earned them, by her habits of prudence,
economy and cheerful labor, under circum-
stances that render the qualities truly valua-
Bile. Also, as the articles in question NAV
wear out ana utterly disappear with use and
time, that this letter be preserved and shrown
to children, grandchildren, and their children
as perpetuate honor to her remembrance ::
and telling them The story connected with it,
that they might be urged to keep forever in the
family the virtues which it represents and illus
trates, and that the daughters NAV each in
turn merit such memorial from, and prove
herself to be indeed crown to her husband.
JOHN FLAKEwHITE."
Having placed the box and letter on the
table where Mrs. L. would be sure to see
1t In the morning as soon as she got up, |
stole back again into bed, and unusual thing
thing for me-actually wished for daylight.
La the morning | woke early, as indeed |
did nearly every hour during the night
fearing to oversleep, and at once glanced at
the little table, where all, as yet, was Just
as L left it, and lay quietly awaiting the
discovery Of the box by Mrs. Fiakewhite-
which could not be long delayed d-when |
should telgn the profoundest slumber. In
little while she moved, and seeing me,
as she supposed fast asleep, quietly arose,
and just as had hoped, noticed the box
at once, walked towards thread the address
to herself on the letter, and with smile of
wonder ard curiosity opened il, L and watch
ed her read it slow y to the very end
Now it was my turn to be surprised, for
| had expected that her natural female
curiosity would already have been hard at
work diving into the box, and her little
fingers would have explored to the very
last parcel In it; but, no-she actually
dropped into a chair by the table, and
without SO much as touching the tox, COW
cred her face with her hands, sobbing con-
vuislvely, while tears commenced coming
thick and fast, trickiug through her fin
gers onto the letter that lay in her lap.
L saw at once that it would never do to
let this thing go Oh, and besides, lump in
my own throat, that grew there in the
most sudden manner, warned me that it
was quite time to wake up; SO with a
would be sleepy yawn, and with very de-
cidedly sheepish face,-only that forum
ateiy for me Mrs +. didn't see that-I sat
up in bed, and as nothing more appropri~
ate for this unlocked for turn Of affairs sug
L
why, Mrs. Flakewhite!''
She looked up at me, and smiled through
her tears-and if l did not see a distinct
rainbow shining in front of her face, it was
because my own eyes were decidedly misty
for the moment-and she came around to
my side of the bed, and putting her arm
around my neck, managed to say, between
great gasping sobs--
John, dear! you are-en.irely too
good-too me-that-letter-is the incest
-present-I ever had-in all my life-I do
thank you hundred times for whatever is
in the box-but that letter has made me
so happy-I will treasure it so long as |
live, " and off she went again-sobbing as
hard as ever.
We soon gained our composure-for l
must confess th2t ersL Lu,,pJ .oars were
os"tagIous, and | had myself slight at
tack-and while [ dressed, Mrs Flake
white fully equaled my expectations in her
delight at what the box contained She
put on her best dress to give full effect to
her new magnifcence, everything fitted
exactly, and with nice shawl she already
had, thrown over her shoulders, and the
new hat poised gracefully on her head,
making an oval frame around her sweet
face, charmingly colored with pleasure and
excitement, it was now my time not to tire
OF looking at her, as put her through her
PAGES up and down the room, not forget
ting glance at the new CATERS as they
tripped in and out, when suddenly she
stopped, and looking me straight in the
eyes, said: john these beautiful things
cost great deal of money, and now am
waiting for you to tell me where it all
came from, for | know you didn't borrow,
and am Jnst as sure you didn't hare it. "
1t was merely a part OF some money
advanced on an order for large picture
like my last one, that you know | sold, ;"
said L, trying to look Indifferent and un-
concerned, and being conscious at the same
time of making wretched failure of it.
"Ohi you sly old fellow, to keep such a
splendid secret from me ever since yester-
Gay morningl How did yon dare 90 to
sleep with all that on your mind, and
these collars and handkercnicfs and new
dresses and hats all the while tucked away
in some dark corner. | wou!dn have be-
lleved it OF you'll
The Incl ciients above related happened
severa years ago, and by the kindness of
my purchaser, through him ] was enabled
to obtain other orders from friends
and acquaintances, and now-thanks to d
kind publc-have no difficulty in disposing
of what | am able to produce The great.
er part Of Mrs. Flakewhi,e's laughing
prophecy has become reality, and Mary
tIakewhite, aged three years, will soon be
o!d enough to have shown to her the letter,
which her mother keeps safely laid away
among her greatest treasures; only few
days ago Mrs. tlakewhte sent ber running
into my studio with "see, papa, seel"
wearing over her bright curls the original
brown hat with pearl covered ribbon, last
years style" that was so intimately con-
nected with my change Of fortune, while
she herself stood at the door, looking as
cheerful and, if possible, mere charming
than she did on the eventtul day when she
last wore it, while she said, smilingly,
John, dear, do you remember that hat?"
Burning a Dead King.
From Galignani's Messenger, May 23