Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-01-14
PRECIOUS TRUST.

It was very modest chamber on the
third floor, or what in less pretentious
house would have been called garnet,
that Katie Mayne and her sister Miriam
occupied at Mrs. Bideford's boarding
house, - street, Strand; and to the
eyes Of two country maidens 1t had the
air of having been forgotten at those
seasons when good housewives indulge
in thorough cleanings, but they consid-
cred themselves fortunate TO have Sc
cured cheap lodging in respectable
house, for 1t was their first visit to Lon
don and they had resolved TO be eco
nomlcal 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 pos
sessed-a legacy left them by distant
relative which they had come to town to
receive.
They had been together TO the execu-
tor of the trust; they had received from
him the little packet containing not only
their own money but sum of equal
ceive for widowed aunt: and now
Miriam kneeling at her feet, smiling her
and the fresh, crisp bank notes unfolded
and examined with unfagging interest.
Two hundred pounds. How small u
sum it would seem to many! How large
it was to these young girls! Well born,
some years as direful struggle with
fx.1I l,n eh of tun
friendless orphans; yet they had come
through the trial bravely, for--oh, secret
Of so much true heroism-they had never
repined. First as junior teachers in a
school, then as the principals of very
modest establishment for young ladies
in country town, they had persevered
In the face of difficulties and discourage
ment that would have crushed less hope
full 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 the 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 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 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 great
er possessions than new piano for
Miriam and the modest trousseau with
out which Katie's long marriage
must still be deed for future considera-
ton.
Ard now these aspirations were more
than realizedl The cheek that had
grown pale and thin, despite her cheer
full spirit, flushed into its old bloom as
Katie reminded herself that her share of
this legacy would not only purchase the
bridal finery in which every feminine
heart delights, but would leave nest
egg to lay the foundation Of those great
things her clever betrothed was to
achieve; and Miriam's deft fingers played
an air with brilliant variations on the
Counterpart 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 on the
horizon. They had determined to in
dulge themselves with little sightsee-
ing before they returned home, for 1t
was not only their first trip to London,
but in all probability would be their
last. This money, however, so gratefully
received, SO joyfully gloated over, what
was to be done with II while they re-
NAMED in town. The widowed aunt
had given them sundry injunctions re-
speeding hers, the principal being, not to
lntrust II to the Postoffice, for she had
no faith In it, since she had learned from
the newspapers that postmen were not
always honest, and though she remOrse-
fully added that she had not word to
say against the old man who had been
letter-carrier at for twenty years,
still, she would not like to put tempta-
ton In his way in the shape of the G2OO
that was to apprentice her eldest
boy, pay the school fee of the next, and
release her from an incubus Of small
debts that had troubled her ever since
the sudden decease Of her husband.
After much discussion of various ways
and means OF providing for the safety of
the valuable packet, 1t was resolved that
one or other Of the sisters should carry
it in her bosom during the day, while at
night 1t might safely repose at the bot
tom Of the little trunk that stood on a
chair by their bedtide; and this arrange.
ment being decided on they prepared to
enjoy London as only intelligent strangers
can.
Too modest and ladylikc to attract
attention by any popularity Of dress or
manner, and too humble to divine how
often their fresh, sweet faces drew upon
them an admiring glance, they did" the
principal sights with that hearty APP
probation of them felt only once in q
lifetime. But pleasure, when 1t takes
the form of craning ones neck to admire
pictures, or traversing the galleries of
Kensington, or climbing the steps at the
Crystal Palace, soon grows fatiguing;
and after spending their last evening,
brcathless and rapt auditors, at . good
entertainment, the sisters went to rest,
not altogether sorry that the term al
lotted for their stay In town had come to
an end. An early train on the morrow
was to speed them back TO -, with Its
quaint High street, ruined castle tower
ing above tha avenue Of elms leading to
its gates, and those breezes from the sur
-~..r.S1~s - Kills for which the murlKv at