The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-01-06
GRANDPA WEAVER'S BEAVER.

shall never forget the rapture felt
the morning was pronounced "finished," :"
and, with artistic taste, suspended upon
pinnacle above my less pretentious
companions in one Of the showiest Of
the show windows upon the popular
thoroughfare patronized by the wealth.
iest.peoplc in the great city where first
saw the light.
1t is needless to dwell upon the cir
culnstances which preceded my debut,
and describe the process IRON which
emerged 80 thing of beauty" Old rs
now am l still recall with satisfaction
the admaration elected aud the eiacula.
tions of surprise and commendation that
greeted my first appearance before the
| world Of fashion.
"Every sweet has its bitter" ani I re-.
gret to say that my self-complacency was
ruff1ed in some degree by the envy Of my
associates and the spiteful remarks was
forced to hear.
1.-THE very thing to catch the eye Of q
sporting blackleg, or some brainless
swell, p" whispered an insignificant ''Soft
felt'' to smart-looking "Derby," while
pert little ':Nobby" remarked, with q
leer, ''All's not gold that glitters.'' Dis.
agreeable words like these I confess
caused some misgivings in reference to
my future, but l was not fated to remain
long in suspense, for Notwithstanding the
high price ret upon me, only Z few days
elapsed when an exceedingly aristocratic-
looking, venerable gentleman entered
the store aud requested the obsequious
clerk to permit him t. inspect the elegant
beaver, at the same moment Indicating
my proud self by motion of his gold
headed cane.
After minute examination of nv pro.
portions he approached mirror opposite
and placing me ON his head, I saw in
stantly by the smile of intense satlsfac-
ton which illuminated hls benevolent
countenance that my destiny was sealed.
Very soon after I was placed in very
handeome box and sent to the almost pal
atial residence of the retired merchant,
Mr.. Weaver I was carried up several
flights Of stairs and deposited in what I
afterwards discovered to be the dressing
room of my purchaser.
In my short experience I had heard
much of the vanity Of ladies, and thought
this particular weakness was confined
solely to that particular sex; but judge of
my surprise when suddenly l was reused
from darkness and silence by the flash OF
gas.jets and the voice OF my new master,
as he drew me from my snug resting
place, and balancing me above his brow,
surveyed the effect produced in the i'm
mense glass that reflected the full length
OF his tall, commanding figure.
Twas not long in finding out that nv
owner had habit, when alone, of talk
ing aloud to himself:
"By Geofge!" he cried. ~ look ten
years younger! / had no idea = new
beaver would make such difference
t'Nor did 1s'' cried out fresh young
voice.
The next instant pair of white arms
were wreathcd about h,s neck.
at is perfectly exqulsitei What a
dear darling pspap' Then with tender
caress. "But why went he allow his lit
tie Dolly to accept attentions from any
Of the young gentlemen who call on us?
And Mr.. Dorsay. too! Such q splendid
beauw The pretty lips pouted, and the
laughing yes!looked inqairingly into the
face half shaded BY my lustrous brim.
"Dollyl childl Don't you knowG
Can't you understand that you are tic
very light of my: eyesl 1t will be time
enough fve-yes, kten eyears hence to
think Of encouraging the attentions of
beaux. Reco!lect, you are barely seven
teen-not old enough to know your own
mind; be patient, little puss, and when
the right one comes and I sanction, why
then,
Alas! the tight one had come, but
Papa Weaver was ignorant of the fact,
while !, unwittingly, was drawn into this
offaired smourl
Dolly sighed softly, and shook her
wealth of shining hair trifle defiantly
as her small white hand gently smoothed
my polished surface. She had removed
me from her fathers head, and was slyly
examining the sheeny lining that added
80 much to my beauty. I saw strange
light in her eyes as she continued to run
her slender fingers deftly under the
plant crimped silk.
"Ohr' she exclaimed, Il like this
beaver ever 80 much more than the old
ono"
Then, as if frightened by her own
words, she quickly replaced me, and,
gliding an arm within that of her lndul-
gent parent, drew him to the door, as she
Tattled on:
"Come, papa; I will not wait minute
longer. You promised if I would not
ride with Mr.. Dorsay you would take me
to the opera, and it is time"
It did not require much penetration to
l. n a 80 4 =