The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-18

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aud two basaues. Beckie had sash when
she wore hers. l had some bows l pinned
on mine. One Summer we asked grand
father for two linen sheets (they were
superbly fiEe), and made Beckie a dress,
which she wore in triumph to picnic
with Mr.. Van Aster, the young man who
sook such an interest in Wye. He belong.
ed to the academy, and taught Greek and
Geology in the High School. Wye some
times brought him to tea.
Beck had the best clothes. 1t was
necessary. If happened to have fresh
calico, l presented myself. If not, some
excuse was made for me. remember we
made ourselves wrappers out Of some soft
Canton silk, covered with great flowers
that we found. 1t had once been used for
curtains when the house was in its pride.
When hard pushed for costume, one of
US would make the most of little cold,
and extinguishing the glory of the wrap
per by a shawl, would sit near the fire,
Wye bringing tea, and Mr.. Van Aster sug-
gesting hot lemonade or violet tea, such
as his mother made him.
Grandfather was always kind to us
that is, he never scolded US; but he never
petted us either. He never thought of
our wanting money or clothes, l suppose,
any more than we thought of asking.
Beckie was pretty-a pale, wild-rose beau
ty-with brown hair and soft, shining
brown eyes: but what was the good Of be-
ing fair with no one to see?
Grandfather had his bedroom and IL
brary downstairs on the south side of the
hall. Pleasant, sunny rooms they were.
opening into Others never used, all filed
with the gigantic furniture our ancestors
preferred. In the evenings he used to
open his library door, and we could see
him reading under the light of his tall
lamp. When bedtime came, we said
goodnight to him at his door, and he
would pleasantly respond. But one even
ing he did not answer. His book was open
before him, his head upon his breast-he
was dead.
The neighbors came. Among others,
Mr.. Thompson, with whom grandfather
had been accustomed to hold long debates
over the garden-wall. He was a curt bust
ness man, kind, but with no time to waste.
He showed US how we stood in the world.
There was no will. We were the heirs.
But except few hundred dollars in the
secretary, and the certificates of good-for-
nothing insurance stock, there was nc
property-no trace of income.
"Most singular!" said Mr.. Thompson
GLOW has the old gentleman been lving?'
We did not know. There were no debts
We did not even owe the servants but
that one weeks wages.
There was but fifty dollars left wher
the funeral expenses were paid. We hat
the place, to be valuable in the remote
future; but how were we to eat and drink
meanwhile?
Mr.. Thompson said he would advise u
at any time, and went home.
We girls cried. Wye said he shoult
talk with Van Aster, and get situation a
5 once. He was within month Of gradu
ating, but if he could have the place in tn
: bank at three hundred year he shoul(
go now.
b This he did. Van Aster's uncle was tn
e bank president, and, perhaps, was iniuenc
= ed in our favor. For week we felt rich
J, Then we soon found that wood, coal, foul
e taxes and things, counted up SO fast tina
we were poor even in the matter of clothes
# Wye must look nice to work in the bank
n We grew thriftier every week, and by
y and-by Wye said he thought we would b
IS able to bring it down to a straw day.
IS Poor boy! he did have such an appetite
r All the time l had it in my heart to hop
l. we should come upon some hidden treas
8; ure, and l secured every corner Of tn
house. l found old wine, chest full {
lie rich brocade and lace, boxes Of yellow le
ID ters, but OF money not dime.
N "Do you suppose" said Beck, "that
m turned his whole fortune into gold, an
ID spent it during these years Of war?
k have heard of such things"
s, "If he did not, where is it?" said I.
We When Spring opened we establishe
~ Wyman in grandfather's rooms. The
- were pleasant, convenient for us and Fl
lg his friends, and gave him certain digni
as the head of the house.
as We had so little of anything else. '
IT. thought much of our family dignity. v
" had no servants, but we cleaned the roor
1g ourselves, and the whole work was col
us pletely done, all animated by the forlo
expectation of mine, Of finding some hi
r- Ing-place, or, at least, paper to thrc
tn some glimmer of light on grandfathe
ad past. But nothing happened. Nothil
ad happened till, months and months aft
y