The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-01-11

can scarcely believe that Theo did such
thing, but, as the novelists say, ''leJ us not
anticipate"
1t was the middle of October, and quite
chilly. We were all in the library, enjoying
the first wood fire of the season. Uncle
John and Papa were sitting in big easy
chairs, at opposite sides of the table, talking
business, or 'sshop," as Theo calls it; NAM
ma was reading Wordsworth. L remember,
because, as 1 was working Papa pair of
slippers, and sitting near her, asked her to
read softly to me; but when she began about
that forlorn Lucy-"a maid whom there
were none to praise and very few to love"-
I did not care TO listen. Theo had gone
across the street, TO Belle Waldron's, to
learn stitch for a breakfast shawl. and had
not yet returned. The little clock on the
mantle struck ten; Uncle John, starting at
the sound, suddenly noticed that one was
absent, and asked, 'Where is Theo ?"- then
added, "By the way, l bought something
pretty to show her. She has always ex-
pressed desire to see what l called sepsi-
BILE shoe, and to-day, while calling on one of
my customers, saw just what wanted"
He went into the hail, and returned with
parcel, which he opened, and placed on the
table before our curious eyes-hs treasure.
l jumped up TO see, and gasped; Papa
laughed; Mamma shut her book, and put it
away as if from Contamination. Uncle John
looked the picture Of grati6ed pride. There
stood the ugliest, pudgiest, toughest, most
ungainly shoe ever beheld, swelling with
Importance, and actually grinning, an effect
produced, suppose, by the n arrow band of
copper which adorned the toe, but SO real
that could not resist picking it up and CIV
ing it shake.
"Unce John, this is boys shoe, 1 cry !;
"a ten-year old country boy, who drives
cows"
"Ah," says Uncle John, with a fine touch
Of sarcasm, 81 suppose must not expect SO
much sense in young lady as in 'ten-year
old country boy who drives cows
I say no more know Uncle John. With
the least opposition, he will be ready to as
sert positively that every one from ballet
girl up, SHOULD wear such shoes constantly.
take my work again, aud he points out to
papa the beauty OF the soles. which seem an
inch thick, while l wish Theo would come
and send confusion into the enemy's camp.
They lTheo and Uncle john have long
waged bitter war on the subject of boots and
shoes.
I must tell you little about Theo. In
the first place she is remarkably pretty girl.
Then Theo has, what / envy and admire i'm
mensely, knack, or morenpropery, talent,
of always looking perfectly dress ed : no mat
ter what she may wear-and I do not be-
lieve she was ever seen with pair of shabby
boots on her feet or her hands in any bat
we'll fitting, well chosen glo yes. 1t is her
pride. am thinking this when her voice,
clear and fresh as the sound of a brook in a
forest, breaks 10 upon us. She addresses
herself mOckingly to Uncle John.
"And, after all, you know there is nothing
like leather"
We had not heard her come, but there she
was, ga Joy forever''-the pretty, dark hair,
with q hint of red 10 it, and sometimes a
tinge Of gold-hair which clung caressingly in
natural waves and pretty, curling tendrils
about the well-poised head and sweet oval OF
her face, the lovely brown eyes seeming to
catch reflections from her hair to make them
lovelier. ! always rave over Theo. She is our
beauty, and we are all proud of her. Begin
ming with papa, she gave us each little hug,
after which she dropped into chair by the
fire and proceeded to be comfortable.
"Uncle john" she says, refectively, 81
believe never opened door suddenly upon
you and papa since could first open doors,
that did not find yon talking about leather,
or something appertaining to it. Now con-
TESS. Were the bright gems OF thought so
rudely interrupted, on the subject of hides, Or
the tanning properties of bark ?-or," catch
ing glimpse of the table and starting up,
shave intruded sacrilegiously upon little
ftW "' :
No one speaks. She picks the shoe up
daintily.
"May ask If this large and attractive OBJ
ject is intended for any thing In particular ?'
Uncle John speaks at last. "That is a
shoe, and one worth looking at, young lady.
am not surprised that you do not recognize
tit has two faults that prevent its being
popular-sense and cheapness. If a pair of
ahons lika hSf nod 4
cost fifteen or twenty dollars, everybody
would want them. | presume the shoes you
have on cost at least ten. Frivolity! Frivol-
typ I
81 have on slip pers, Uncle John, but they
cost ten, and they are very pretty see;" as
he speaks she slips one OF and sta nds it ON
the table beside the representative Of 'ssense.H
it was "Beauty and the Beast" u
Papa said, 81 think, John, Frivolity, as
represented here this evening, seems more
desirable than Sense"
To Uncle John, however, the sight of that
little slipper was as red scarf to bull. y
"Look at that heel" he exelaims; do you
allow your daughter to wear heel like that /?
It will ruin her health it will kill her,"
'.No, interposed Theo; ''Papa does not, ex-
cept on evening slippers, worn occasionally.
Your shoe is perfection, don't doubt. I
think shall be measured for pair. / know
how-put my foot on paper, have line
drawn around it, and allow an inch all ways.
Uncle, you shall take me up Fifth avenue
the first time wear them. The flash of the
copper will be simply fascinating. Iprdict ia
sensation"
"pll bet 81, 900 against your diamond ear
rings" bursts out Uncle John, excitedly,
"that you would not wear a shoe like that
two months! Two thousand dollars, or any
sum you please. You care for nothing but
appearances" Il
Mamma laughed. Papa looked curiously
at Theo. II
"Better make it definite sum, Uncle
john" she says, coolly; 'Tll take that bet, !"
stared at Thee in dumb amazement. Papa
looks as If it is just what he had hoped for.
Uncle John has habit of offering to bet large
sums ON all occasions when he considers &C.
ceptance impossible. The expression on his
face now is comical. He gances at Theo.
Her little mouth looks very determined. and
he seems somewhat demoralized, but a
glimpse OF the shoe, awkward aud coppery,
treasures him. He speaks courageously:
"Ali right, my dear; the earrings will make
very neat studs. I'll send you the shoes tor
morrow, to be certain you have the right
sort, and, if you wear them two months IN
pay you $4,000" (
81 am to wear them constantly, am I?"
you crazy? November and December, of all
months in the year! You can't dance, you
can't 60 anywhere; and what will people
think, and what won't they say?" am
wild.
"Yes," says Uncle; "Theo, you had better
consider everything; you had better consider.
You can't explain that it is bet, you know.
However, If you insist on presenting me with
those diamonds, I'll be generous; you may
tell one person-only one, mind"
"That will be Belle Waldron," say.
"You had better not tell your one person
hastily" says papa, who is thoroughly inter-
ested. "You may be so placed that you will
be very anxious to confess the true state of
the case"
Mamma looks severely at papa: "You
surely do not intend to allow your daughter
to make herself conspicuous in this unlady-
like manner?"
30, but, mamma" urges Theo.
Papa answers, 81 don't see that she need
be conspicuous, and it is for good object"
"What object? Theo is not in want of
money"
swell, encourage her for Johns sake"
papa says with twinkle in his eye. "He
ought to be cured of the rash way in which
he bets, and if Theo is the humble instru-
ment of so much good shall be pleased"
Again am desperate.
sgThoo uh will NON do about