Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-05-14
A PRECIOUS TRUST.

IulIu uOOI, VI WudU LII d lcSo picb0uGlOuS
house would have been called a garrett,
that Katie Mayne and her sister Miriam
occupied at Mrs. Bideford's boarding
house, street, Strand, and to the eyes of
two country maidens it had the air Of
having been forgotten at those seasons
when good housewives indulge in thorough
cleanings; but they considered themselves
fortunate to have secured cheap lodging
in respectable house, for it was their
first visit to London, and they resolved to
be economical even in their pleasures. In
this chamber, with the door carefully
locked, their hats and mantles thrown
hastily aside, and their bonny faces aglow
with pleasure, the sisters were eagerly
gazing on the first riches they had ever
possessed legacy left them by a distant
relative, which they had come to town to
receive.
They had been together to the executor
of the trust; they had received from him
the little package containing not only their
own money, but sum Of equal value which
they were empowered to receive for wild
owed amt; and now Katie sat or the edge
Of her bed, with Miriam kneeling at her
feet, smiling her satisfaction, as the pack
age was united, and the fresh, crisp bank
notes unfolded and examined with unfag-
ging interest.
Two hundred pounds. How small sum
it would seem to many! How large it was
to these young girls! Well born, well nur-
tured. they had endured for some years as
direful a struggle with poverty as eyer fell
to the lot Of two friendless orphans; yet
they had come through the trial bravely,
f0e-oh, secret of SO much true heroism!-
they had never repined. First, as junior
teachers in a school, then as principals Of
a very modest establishment for young
ladies, in country town, they had per-
severed in the face Of difficulties and dis
couragements that would have crushed less
hopeful spirits content to deny themselves
every qualification that was beyond their
small means.
Two hundred pounds! A little awe
mingled with their thankfulness, as they
counted their notes to assure themselves
that the precise sum, that was now their
very own lay before them. On peaceful
summer Sundays, when they were set free
from their duties, they had loved to ramble
in a beautiful park near their home, or
share with the deer the deep, cool shadows
Of it's ancient trees, and there dream and
plan aerial castles which, though destined
never to be built of more lasting materials,
were very pleasant to dwell upon for the
little time they lasted. But they had grown
very practical of late, never aspiring to
greater possessions than piano for Mi
RAM, and the modest trousseau without
which Katie's long-deferred marriage must
still be matter for future consideration,
And now these aspirations were more
than realized! The cheek that had grown
pale and thin despite her cheerful spirit
flushed into it's old bloom as Katie remind
ed herself that her share of this legacy
would not only purchase the bridal finery,
in which every feminine heart delights,
but would leave a nest egg to lay the foun-
dation of those great things her clever be-
trothed was to achieve; and Miriam's deft
fingers played an air with brilliant vari-
ations on the counterpanes as she Thought
of the fine-toned instrument which was to
bring her fresh pupils, and do justice to
her really excellent playing.
But now small cloud arose in the hor-
lion. They determined to indulge them
selves with little sightseeing before they
returned home, for it was not only
their first visit to London but in all prob
ability would be their last. This money,
however, so gratefully received. so joyfully
gloated over, what was to be done with it
while they remained in town? The wild
owed aunt had given them sundry injunc-
tions respecting hers, the principal being
not to intrust it to the postofice, for she
had no faith in it since, she had learned
from the newspapers that postmen Wera
not always honest; and though, she re.
morsefully added, she had not a word to
say against the old man who had been let.
ter carrier at -- for twenty years
still she would not like to put temptation
in his way in the shape of the two hundred
pounds that was to apprentice her eldest
boy, pay the school fees of the next, and
release her from an incubus of small debts
that had troubled her since the sudden de
cease Of her husband.
After much discussion of various ways
and means of providing for the safety Of
tie valuable packet, it was RESOLVED thai
one OF the other of the sisters should carry
it in her bosom during the day, while al
night it might safely repose in the bottom
of the little trunb that stood on chair by
their bedside; and this arrangement