Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-05-07
NO. 1OS.
Gales aud Sketches.
A MISER'S BEQUEsT.

| irons shining like gold, windows hung
with draperies of Turkey red, walls of
crimson-flock paper, starred over with
gold. and little walnut stand OF books
opposite Mrs. Mifords parlor was
cabinet gem in its way. Not that the Mil
fords were rich. On the contrary. Merton
Milford was bank clerk, on a salary SO
small that it sometimes became almost an
insolube problem 10 make both ends
meet.
Almost. we say, but never quite, for
Lucy Milford had learned the lesson of
household economy, and it was her pride
to be able to say that they had never been
in debt. Yet Lucy had womans taste,
and woman's cravings, and woman's
innocent longings after the beautiful and
costly; and on this especial evening, as
she sat by the fire, leaning one cheek on
her hand, and her foot mechanically agi-
tating the rocker OF the baby's cradle, she
was thinking of the possible. the unat-
tainable.
eff we were only rich thought Lucy
to herself as she glanced across the room.
How | would like to have pair of
bronzes on yonder mantel. instead of the
ugly, stiff little vases that Aunt Betsey
gave me for wedding present. How
would like a Persian patterned carpet in
place of this staring red aud green in
grain, and little oil-painting or bunch
of water-coored flowers over the table,
where the map of the city now hangs.
And then could afford a Valenciennes
cap for the baby and a real Ponson silk
for myself and | could surprise Merton
with half dozen new silk handkerchiefs,
and I wnplI SnpH
chaum, real sea foam, with an amber
mouth-piece and odd carvings on the
bowl, and mamma should have an Indian
bordered shawl, and"
Bang went the front door. Tramp,
tramp, came a well-known footstep along
the hail. with Just sufficient of a pause to
ding the hat carelessy on the little circlet
of pegs, which. in that unpretentious
household, took the place of marble
topped, mirror backed hall-rack.
ITS Merton. said Mrs. NJ, starting up
and Merton il was.
"Hallo, puss - said Merton, coming in
flushed and breathless. "And hows the
little kitten?"
kitty is we'll" said Mrs Milford.
"Shall order tea, dear?n
Yes"
The little maid servant-Luey Milford
only kept one-brought in the urn, and
when she had tip-toed out again. Mrs.
Milford looked her husband in the face.
Merton" she said, something has hap
pened; can read in your eyes. What is
it ?'
What little fortune-teller you are to
be sure" he said. "Yes, something has
happened. I've got a tele gram from Fort
ley, and Uuce Jesse is DYING
Uncle Jesse, the rich old mser?"
"Cncle Jesse, the rich old miser And
Writ informs me that his last will, made
in a iit OF pique against the directors of the
Fortly Orphan Asylum, leaves everything
to us
To Us. Merton p
Lucy drew her breath with little gasp
ing sound.
why. it must be half million of
money"
That ct least. We shall be rich people
Puss.
"Oh, Merton, it scarcely seems possible
It's like dream
Its dream that has pretty solid vein
OF reality running through it, you'll find,
my dear" said her husband.
And Just before you came in. 1 was
sitting here and thinking what | would do,
and how could ornament my home if we
We're only rich :" cried Lucy clapping her
hands.
Merton pinched her cheek and laughed
complacently. Evidently he was in the
best of humor.
Half million, Lucy !" said he. "You
shall have a set of diamonds that will rival
those of Mrs. Merriwell. the bankers
wife, and cashmere shawl III order a
pony phaeton Tor your driving, and you--"
But we shall buy country place,
shan't we, Merton p wstfully asked Lucy,
the soft carmine shadows deepening over
her cheek.
"A country place What for ?" said
Merton, little contemptuously. What
on earth should we bury ourselves in the
country for, we can buy place at the
West End, and surround ourselves with
all the retinements of city lite ?'
A shade of disappointment came over
l.ucv's face.
ooh, Merton, have always dreamed of
country house," sighed she.
with burglars and mildew and spiders
thrown in, eh ?'' Nonsense my dear, non
sense The city is the place TO live in"
"And we can have papa and mamma to
live with us can't we ?"
"W-well. | don't know exactly about
that" said Milford. thoughtlully. stroking
his mustache; I'm buy 'em snug little
place il YOU say so, my love but never
did believe in fathers and mothers in law
living with their children. Every house
hold is complete in itself. That's my no.
ton"
"Oh, Merton. how can you talk so ?"
cried Lucy with a panied face.
"Oh, well, Lucy. there's no use in senti-
mentalizing on these points," retorted her
husband little brusquely.
II don't care to be rich. if | can't enjoy
the pleasures of it," said Mrs Milford,
pouting.
80 you may enjoy them, if you only
will be reasonable about it,"
And Pve always thought so much of
having mamma with me-"
Better leave off thinking it them" said
Milford, lighting cigar and leaning back
in chair the better to enjoy it.
Il suppose ! can have as many servants
as please. now ?" hazarded Mrs. Milford,
wisely steering the conversational barque
away from the shoals of dispute.
HTwentv if you like nv dear" replied