The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1872-12-21
2Niscellameous.
[Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine.
Maynard Nights Christmas Socks.

BY s. ANNIE FROST.
"Uncle Ralph, will you tell me what thil
story is about Maynard Wight?"
"What story, Eta ?"
"Mrs. Raymond was here yesterday, con
graduating herself upon the fact that she had
never encouraged his attentions to Nora, be-
cause he had failed in business, and she hinted
at some dishonorable transactions"
"Bah Woman's gossip, my dear. Maynard
has been unfortunate in business, it is true
but there is no circumstance connected with
the failure that can in any way be twisted into
dshonorable transactions. 1t has been try
ing year for business men, my dear, and Wight
| Maynard's father, made some unfortunate in
vestments. l wish Maynard could take ad
vantage of an offer he has in Baltimore"
"What is that ~
Chill & Hill want him for junior partner
in their business, to control branch house in
that city, He is splendid business man, and
| will no doubt soon recover his mercantile posi-.
ton, but the want of capital will stand in his
way now. He would require five thousand dol
lars t. accept their terms. The matter was
| under consideration when his fathers failure
| made it impracticable."
give thousand dollars 1t seems hard he
should miss good opportunity for so small a
| sum-"
eyes Maynard is splendid fellow, honor
| able in all his transactions, moral man, and
a gentleman, as | understand the word. If
could spare it would willingly lend him the
sum, for he will certainly soon be able to repay
it, But could not take so much out of my
| business just now. By the way, what makes
you feel so interested in Maynard Has he
stolen my little girls heart ?"
Etta's face grew rosy, but she lifted her soft
blue eyes frankly to her uncle's face.
81 think, Uncle Ralph, that Maynard loves
me, but he will not propose to me now. He
said words to me, not long ago, that puzzled
| and panied me, but understand them to-day.
| am rich, and he has just failed. Icannot tell
| him his suit would be as successful now as
before, because it would be assuming more than
he has ever spoken"
| "Humph 1 understand. You are a brave
little girl to tell me much, but your secret is
safe with me. You will forget him."
"Perhaps. l am not going to wear the will
| low, but l am going to send him five thousand
dollars"
Chow can you, without committing your
self?"
81 will manage that, if you will draw the
money for me, and keep my secret"
81 will do both. l shall be glad to see May
nard started once more in business and you
will not be ruined, Eta, if you never see the
money again"
"O6, when he is a millionaire J~ill send in
my BILL .4 "
| Bless my heart, it is after nine ~ !" and
the old gentleman bustled into @spats
and went briskly down stairs.
Eta had spoken very gayly when she pro-
posed to send in her bill to the future million
aire, but her soft blue eyes filled with tears
when she was alone. She was only nineteen,
bright pretty blonde, and a favorite amongst
her circle of friends. She had dreamed her
dreams, as young girls will, and she had given
Maynard Wight prominent place in them.
Excepting having asked her in so many words
to be his wife, the young merchant had given
her every reason to believe he loved and sought
her. He was a frank, open man, one of those
who, while polite to all, would offer no special
attentions to one, unless with the hope of win
ming her heart, and giving all his own in re-
turn. Eta knew he loved her, but she knew
also that his sensitive pride would keep him ST.
lent now He would never offer to the heiress
the hand that had failed to grasp fortune. She
sighed little, and few tears rolled down her
cheeks, but she was a sensible little maiden,
and she resolved that she would not pine and
fret over the trouble she could in a measure
remedy for Maynard, even if her own love
dream was shadowed forever. So she rang the
bell to have the breakfast dishes removed, and
went to dress for walk.
"Those young ones of Marion's will want
their Christmas Tree if every body in the world
fails" she said, stuffing her porte-monnaie
with bank notes, "and there is only one more
day to do miles of shopping"
Nobody would ever have accused Eta of
being lovesick maiden they could have seen
her on that day going from store to store, send
ing home enormous parcels of toys and confec-
tionery, and stufing her shopping satchel with
little articles of jewelry and trifes too small to
warrant the attentions of an errand boy on that
busy day. She made one odd purchase, that
she put away in her pocket and did not men
ton to her sister, when she finally entered tha
lady's parlor, to give an account of the bundles
she had been sending there all day.
"Your five children are an awful bother to
me at Christmas, Marion," she said. "Have l
forgotten any of the promises have been max
ing since last December? ? l ordered Clara the
biggest doll 1 could find, with bedstead to
match her proportions, and Miss Vanity Lily
shall have her coral pin and earrings. AS tor
Eddy, bless his blue eyes, have bought him
half toy shop, and l expect Ralph to scream
over real watch that will tick and CO."
"a watch for Ralph? You darling! WANTED
to getone, hut his father thinks he is too young"
'9Twelve "Oh, it will teach him to be care
full. Oh the sled is for Rob, but the. rest of the
traps we will distribute as you think best. l
will come in this afternoon and help finish the
tree"
ooh, stay now. The children are to have
their party tonight"
"Christmas Eve I'll come back. must 60
now. / have note to write"
.Do it here"
"Can't Good-by ! I'll be back in time"
MAYNARD Wight had passed busy day. His
father had accepted business opening in Chi
cago, and the young man had half resolved to
accompany him. A few days only were left
him. before he must refuse the offer of Hill
Hill that would once more open the path of
prosperity for him. He did not despair. He
was Young yet, in good health, and full of
lk 1arr
with dull, heavy pain. 1t was hot the mere
fancy of young girls vanity that made Eta
sure Maynard Wight loved her. He had given
her perfect and true love, but, as she rightly
Judged, his pride closed his lips, when business
misfortune fell upon him. She was wealthy,
and he would not offer less income than her
own. He was no fortune hunter, to live upon
his wife's money, or even to take her money
for the stepping-stone to his own prosperity.
As he strobe home in the dusk of the Decem-
Der evening, the bright shops, the busy crowds
attracted his attention.
"Christmas Eve,' he thought. at will not
be a very merry Christmas for US, but brighter
times may come before another year. 1 had
hoped to have the right to give Eta a Christ
mas gift, but that too must wait till brighter
days | wonder if some more fortunate suitor
will win her before feel free to speak ?"
Such thoughts are none too lively for the
holiday season, but Maynard could not turn
his mind to brighter subjects. 1t was hard
trial for him to meet these heavy reverses in
the very commencement ofhis business career,
especially as he felt assured be could have
ayerted them if he had had full control in the
business Could he but accept the offer of Hill
Hill he was certain that in few years he
could take stand again amongst the successful
merchants of the day.
"There is a package in your bureau, Mr..
MAYNARD, "the servant said, as she opened the
door for him. at was left few moments ago
by little boy"
"All right. Is my father in p
"In the dining-room, SIR"
"Get the package and bring it there"
It was small package, directed in stiff
hand, the letters being printed in ink, instead
of written. The gentlemen bent over it with
some curiosity.
"somebody has sent you Christmas gift,
MAYNARD" said Mr.. Wight.
Of all the odd gifts, this seemed the oldest.
It was a knit cotton sock, of gay colors, with
red and blue stripes, and row of yellow stars
at the top. A folded paper was in the toe, and
on this was written, in the same stiff hand as