Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1875-01-13
A Precious Trust.

1t was q very modest chamber
on the third floor, or what in less
pretentious house would have been
called a garret, 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 as
to those seasons when good house
wives indulge in thorough clean
ing; but they considered them
selves fortunate to have secured n
cheap lodging in respectable
house, for it was their FIRST visit to
London, and they had resolved to
be economical, even in their pleas
ures. In this chamber, with the
door carefully locked, their hats
and mantles thrown hastily aside,
and their bonny faces aSlow with
pleasure, the sisters were eagerly
gazing on the first riches they had
ever possessed-a 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
receive from him the little packet
containing not only their own mon
ey, but \ sum Of equal value which
they were empowered TO receive
for a widowed aunt; and now Kate
sat on tho edge of her he'd, and
Miriam kneeling at her feet, smil-
ing her satisfaction, as the packet
was united, and the fresh clisp
bank-notes unfolded and exanin-
ed with unfiGgging interest.
Two hundred pounds. How
small sum il would seem to many!
How large it was to these yonng
girls Wei born, well nurtured,
they had endured fC>' 80 many
years as d.reful a struggle with
poverty as ever fell 10 the chare of
two friend ess orphans; yet they
had come through the trial bravely,
for-O, secret of so much true he
roism they had never rcpined.
First as junior teacher in g school,
then as the principals Of ve.y
modest establishment for young
ladies in country town, they had
perseyered in the face of difficult
ties and d;scouragement tLat
would have crushed less hopeful
spirits-content to deny themselves
every qualification that was teyond
their small means.
Two hundred pounds! A little
awe mingled with their thankful
ness, as they counted the notes TO
assure themselves that the precise
sum, that was now their very own
lay before them. On peaceful sum-
mer 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 its
ancient trees, and there dream and
plan aerial castles which though
never destined to be built of more
lasting materials, were very pleas
ant to dwell upon for the little time
they lasted. But they had grown
very practical of late, never aspir-
ing to greater possessions than a
new piano for Miriam and the mod
est trousseau without which Katie's
long-deferred marriage must still
be a deed for future consideration.
And now these aspirations were
more than realized. The cheek
that had grown pale and thin, des-
pite her cheerful spirit, flushed in
to its old b Dom as Katie reminded
| l.
herself that her share of this legacy
would not only purchase the bridal
Emery in which every feminine
heart delights, but would leave n
nest-egg to lay the foundation of
those great things her clever be-
trothed was to achieve and Miri-
ANS deft fingers playel an air
with brilliant variations on the
counterpane, as, she thought of the
finc-toned instrument which was to
bring her fresh pupils, aud do just
ics TO her really excellent playing.
But now a small cloud arose on
the horizon. They had determined
to indulge themselves with a little
sightseeing before they returned
home, for il was not only their first
| t,.in to Iondon. bnt In all prohahil-