Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-02-03

for: eight little feet that are never
still to cover with shoes that wear out
too fast.
1t is no wonder that Charlie has to
wear his coat till it is threadbare, and
my only best dress is my old black silk
made over again and again, which with
lace rutiles at the writs and throat. and
Aunt Marstons legacy forms my gala
day toilet
would not complaih to myself, but
Charlie looks so pale and tired, and his
cough gets worse and worse every day.
If he could only go into the country for
a month or two, the doctor says, rest
himself, keep in the open air drink
plenty of milk and take plenty of gen
tie exercise, such as a little rowing or
riding, he could get we'll
My head aches with thinking how to
get the money that will save Charities
life. My darling husband, so devoted,
unselfsh, depriying himself of even
the smallest indulgence for me and our
| little ones,
think bitterly on the unequal dis
tribution of the good things of this
world; so few have ALL and SO many
have nothing; but when | say So Char
lie laughs, and says I'm little com
munist, dangerous character, and
must be suppressed.
As usual, while | am sitting sewing |
am devising thousand impracticable
schemes when my reverie is interrupt
ed by my elder boy, Robert.
ooh, mamal see those beautiful po-
niesr
| look out and see "A phaeton, drawn
10y a span of black ponies, and seated
at her ease, her lap dog beside her, |
recognize my cousin Lucinda MarstOn.
How circumstances have changed
She and her dog in my place; ! and my
children living n life of priyation! My
husband dying for theneed of the mon
ey she lavishes on her horses and dogs
in a week.
cannot help a reproachful feeling
toward my aunt, rs reflect on her ca
PRECIOUS treatment of me. At sight of
that cruel face live over again that
ast.dreadful interview when my cousin
gave me the jewels. Her words rang
IN my ears once more, but with a new
meaning.
"Ormulu would give you fifty dollars
for Them" she had said.
Fifty dollarsW | exclaimed aloud.
Fifty dollars means rest, country air,
rowing, riding, life and health for Char
lie"
| opened the satin-lined box, and
looked at the yellow baubles, that smil-
ed and twinkled in their soft bed, as if
they were glad they were going to be of
some use at last.
ooh, you treasure,' | said, and kiss
ed them rapturOusly and with a thank
full heart.
While put on my hat and shawl, |
had mentally made way with half my
legacy, for had bought Charlie an en-
tire new suit, nice warm flannes and
all, and barely left him enough to pay
his board with in the country.
Carried away by the excitement Of
the moment, | scarcely knew what
was doing till found myself in the pa
latial store at Bank street, and heard q
gentlemanly voice say, in answer to my
question: "Will you please wait
moment, Mss" while he spoke to an
elderly man, who in while came to me
and said
Would you mind telling me, mad
am, how this set OF jewelry came into
your possession"
My heart sank. There seemed to
be something of a doubt as to whether
they had been honestly come by.
Certainly not" said |. They were
left to me by my aunt, Miss Eunice
Marston. You may perhaps remember
that she bought them here
viii you give me your name and
address, please? ?"
did so, and found that the younger
man knew my husband well, and also
remembered having seen me in the
store with my aunt.
"Do you know, madam, what these
! Jewels are worth?"
about fifty dollars, | suppose |
said
He took one of the earrings out Of
the case, and giving little twist and a
light pressure Of the small gilt knob ut
! the lower side of the ball, it opened IN
to two parts; taking off the golden en-
velope, he held up to my astonished
eyes an immense solitaire diamond
| tnat sparkl9u ana plazeu IKE siai IT.
it trembled in his hand.
"The earrings alone are worth ten
thousand dollars, and with the brooch,
which opens too, you see, the set IS
worth twenty-five thousand dollars"
The words had no meaning TO me;
everything faded before my eycs-all
was darkness.
When T came to my senses, | was ~
ing on lounge, and sweet-looking
! lady sat hy me bathing my head.