Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-06-28
SELECTED STORY
From the Lady's Friend for January, 1872
GRACIE'S GIFT.
BY A. NJ. DANA

BY A. NJ. DANA.
Grace Fairford stood at her chamber win
dow among her myrtles and geraniums, look
ing forth with eyes which saw not. so blind
ed were they with angry tears. Behint
her on the dressing table, tossed down ir
bitter contempt, lay her Christmas gifts
pair Of kid gloves, marked "Coupe Jouvin,'
but stiff and horny as cobler's apron
lace collar ; imitation Honiton-market val
ne twenty-five cents, intrinsic value moth
ing; and set of malachite jewelry bearing
the unmistakable imprint Of dollar.
"What Ounce [ am to care !" she ex.
claimed, as scalding drop fell from her
eyes into the white cup of Cally lilly
"And [ don't care for their triAing value
1t isn't that Won't I cherish this as if i,
we're set with diamonds 2" pressing to he,
lips tiny silver mounted cross Of olive
wood but it is the mockery, the shameful
mockery of kindness The very servants
have gifts suited to their use but because
occupy position infinitely worse than a
servant, I must be loaded with this sham
fnery! wonder if Aunt Charlotte guessed
how contemplate g e appeared while stand
ing beside the tree distributing the presents
and mouthing her despicable nonsense p
Canoes for Viva she said, passing the
delicate she'll jewels with their circles Of
tiny pearls to my fair cousin, 'and for Ora
Gle, malachites. Dear me, what clever
old fellow Santa Claus must be !! He is de-
termined that there shall be no rivalry be-
tween you. And here it is again-lace col
lars for each Why the saint is positively
munifcent ? How Viva's blue eyes flashed
as she received the bit of Point d. Alencon
allotted to her share! But, ali they CLEAN.
ed with different light when the little
cross-Kane Ventnor's gift-fell into nv
possession. Viva has not learned her moth
er's lesson yet perfectly, and can still appre.
ciate the charms of noble, manly form and
handsome features, even though their own
err be but climber upon fortunes ladder
not far up at that No matter, be is climb.
ing; and one Of these days, when he has
gained safe round, he will reach down a
strong, helping hand for poor little me-
Let me read his dear note again."
"MY DARLING Please accept of this lit,
tie trinket-not SO much as token of the
cross which we must bear little longer, as
an earnest of the time when you will be
crowned queen of my home, as you now are
queen of my heart Courage, dearest mer-
ry Christmases and happy New Years are
coming"
Her cheeks flushed warmer as she read
the cheering words, and a CLEAN Of love-
light shone from her eyes. But after mo.
mept her discouteuted soliloouy was re.
sumed.
"And meanwhile, | must barter all my
self-respect for living from grudging rela-
tives," she said, passionately. Il am as
bad as Viva and Aunt Charlotte specializing
upon the fortune of that mysterious Uncle
Ralph they are forever prating of. l have
no right to be dependent on them, and I
won't be I declare I won't be-not day
longer y
Her countenance grew bright with the
spirited resolution. bpt it suddenly fell ag
the momentous question Of ways and means
rose before her. No doubt it would be a
brave thing to earn her bread but how te
do it !? that was the problem. One after an
other she named over the list Of woman'i
avocatiops, only 10 dispose Of each with g
sigh.
"Teaching she said II know JUS
enough to be aware Of my ignorance. Wri
ting I can't even bear to write a letter -
Painting 2 No talent Sewing Well,
she concluded, in tone of logged deter
mination, ''if the worst comes to the worst
thank heaven, can cook. So much for be
ing the child Of minister too poor to hire
servants, and reversing Daniel Webster'l
encouragement to young men, "there's al
ways room up stairs" ''there's always room
do1cn stairs for women"
As she ended this bitter little aphorism
she noticed newspaper lying upon the
floor, aud lifting it, ran her eye over the ad
vertisements. The one that claimed her atten
ton was this: "Wanted, a housekeeper, b.
an elderly gentleman, a lady thoroughly
competent to superintend small establish
ment. No one need spply unless able tt
achieve the miracle of clear coffee in a cleal
teacup."
Oracle laughed. II can do that, a
least,p she said. "Let me see. I wondei
if I dare apply p? He is an old gentleman
an odd one, too, guess; and it's homes
employment. If would do my hair plai
and wear little cap, might pass for tw
or three years older" And running to tn
mirror she brushed back her sunny curls
and laying a light handkerchief corner-wls
over them, smiled at the Transformation.
"l'll do p she said decidedly, with
little nod at her reflection in the glass. 81
will be better than this contemplate Twin
upon charity, and-as for Mr.. Ventnor-h
will trust me. He must p t
In the early twilight she glided out an
posted her letter The address was Il
Ohio-full two days journey from her pre-
ent homeland while awaiting an ansWe
she had ample time to get over her Chris
mas annoyance and repent of her hasty a
ton. But Oracle did not repent. 1t was
deeper feeling than passing anger whit
prompted her. and the reply found her st
firm in her purpose.
1t was not pleasant scene in her aun'
morning room when Oracle announced n
intention. Not that her relatives real