The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-01-16
Select Story.
A SARCASM OF FATE

A very elegant looking letter lay in little
Minnie Velsor's hands-a letter that bore
delicious perfume of violets-a letter ad-
dressed in fine flowing hand and the enve-
lope of which was stamped with al intricate
monogram, that unless Minnie had known,
she could never have deciphered as Mrs.
Paul St. Eustace Carriscourt's initials.
The girls small, pretty hands grew just
t1ihe cold and trembling as she took up the
letter to open it, because so much, oh, so
much, depended upon what was in the letter;
because it either meant new, independent
life, in which she would not only earn her
own living, but very materially assist in
taking care of the dear boys of 5 and 7, or
it doomed her to the old tiresome routine,
out of which Minnie felt at times she must
fly.
Mrs. Vesor looked up from stocking she
was darning, and said nothing, seeing the
nervous glow in Minnie's eyes. Then, with
a little, half desperate laugh, the girl tore
open the thick satin envelope.
IT'S almost like an ice cold plunge bath,
but here goes, mamma
She hurriedly read the short, friendly
note, and by the quick tears that gathered
in her eyes, and the smiles that parted her
lips, and the flush that bloomed like red
roses on her cheeks, it was quite plain that
the news was good news.
Then she dashed the letter on the floor and
rushed over to her mother, and kissed her,
laughing and crying at the same time.
oh mamma Mrs. Carriscourt has given
me the position, and she wants me to come
mediately-to.morrow Just think
Five hundred dollars a year, and she as
sures me must make myself perfectly at
home in her house and she says, am to
have room to myself and to eat with Pau.
line and Pauletta, in the nursery. On
mamma, it will be just glorious Aren't
you glad, delighted P
Her blue eyes were dancing, and hel
cheeks glowing like rose leaf.
| Mrs. Velsor's sweet, sad voice was in such
odd contrast to her childs eager, animated
| tones.
How can be delighted to have you &c
away from me, dear? Besides, | am sc
afraid you will not realize your vivid antici
pations. The outside world which seems tC
you 50 rose colored and golden, will not b'
what you think
'Oh, mamma, what Jobs comforter yol
would be! But how can ] help being hap
py-perfectly happy, except being ava,
from you-in New York, in a magnifcen
house, among people of wealth and distinc
ton, and with these two sweet children m
only care? Mamma, | will ride with then
and am to make myself perfectly at home
the letter says, and you remember what
charming lady we thought Mrs. CarriscouI
was, when she was visiting Doctor Mans
field last summer
Mrs. Velsor sighed softly, 1t seemed 6
cruel to pour the chill water of dissappoin
ment on Minnie's bright hopes.
well, dear, perhaps l am growing Gym
cal as grow older. Certainly you deserve
fair fate, and now, to descend to matte
of earth earthly, suppose you see if the bear
are boiling dry
The third day thereafter-a day fragrai
with the smell of frost in the air-a ds
when the leaves sailed slowly, stately dow
through the tender, golden atmosphere, al
the hush of mid October was over all IL
earth and sky, Minnie Vesor went awa
from her little cottage where she was bo
aud had lived, to the world waiting to r
ceive her-all her giflish hopes on gladde
wing, all her rosiest dreams bursting in fon
est realization.
1t was a splendid place, Mrs. Paul
Eustace Carriscourt's palatial residence
Fifth avenue-a house that seemed to Mi
MES fancy like a translated bit of fsi
story with its profusion of flowers and la
draperies, its luxuries and elegance.
which she had never dreamed, and of who
r, uses she was equally ignorant
3 Mrs. Carrscourt received her with
:, charming gracousness and patted her
e the shoulder, and told her she hoped I
would not let herself get homesick, and
] stalled her In her beautiful little room, "