Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-04-05
Story Of q Monument.

She was a handsome aud wealthy
young widow, and had just lost her hus-
band. Full Of grief over the loss of her
beloved one, she sought dealer in
monuments, friend Of her dear depart
ed.
Seeing the sympathetic face Of her
hus bands friend, the tears burst afresh
from her eyes as she greeted him, sob.
bing;
You have heard it, then; George is
gone.'
Yes, he had heard it.
And now said che. I want 10 get
monument. the finest and most impos-
ing monument that you can make. l
don't care for the expense. You have
them costing ten thousand dollars, have
you not p she ventured.
Oh, yes, he could build splendid
monument for that. He would prepare
design, aud then submit it 10 her.
You will have it ready soon, will
you not p she pleaded. This evening (?
NO not this evening" he replied, but
he would hurry it up as fast as possible
and bring 1t to her residence. And so
it was settled, and she went away very
grateful for the ready sympathy, and
anxiously expectant for the design.
Then The monument man got out au
old design and had it transferred 10 a
clean piece OF paper, and In fifteen MIN
utes was ready for the widow, but OF
course 10 wouldn't do to show up for
week or two. The long days dragged
out their weary length finally, and the
marble man, assuming an appropriately
funeral countenance, sought out the
widow and submitted his work. He
found her somewhat more rcconciled to
her loss, and little inclined to be criti-
cal, but on the whole she was pleased
with his design.
But she said. Il have been talking
over the matter with my sister, and she
thinks five thousand dollars ought to
buy very nice monument Couldn't
you make one like that for Ave thous-
and p
No. said he, but can build quite
handsome monument for FIVE thous-
and dollars. Shall 1 make a design of
one for that figure.
Yes, l wish you would, please, and
1 will come to your Office and examine
it in week or two.'
Il can make some alterations in this
plan, aud have it ready very soon.' he
urged. Indeed could bring il around
tomorrow jusf as we'll as not
oh no won 't'trouble YOU TO do so.
There is no partic ular hurry about it,
aud will call upon you its my turn,
you know and she smiled graciously
upon him as she bow ed him out.
Well, what was poor monument
man to do? He could only wait, and
be did wait, busying himself meanwhile
getting up elaborate and really beauti.
ful designs. One day he met the lady
on the street, dressed 10 the merest
apology for mourning. He bowed OBJ.
sequlously, and informed her that the
design was finished, and he thought
would not fail 10 be prefectly satlsfac.
tory.
oh she said, Il have been 80 busy,
don't you know, with one thing and
another, that l had forgotten all about
il. Let me see, how much was it to
cost y
'Oh, dear, really can't afford 10 pay
that much. New couldn't you,' this
very b ewitchiugly make very nice
monument for about five hucured dol
lars? know yon can, and will come
around aud see you about it real soon
goodbye
The monument man went to his office
and told his grief to a threc"lrgged
lamb and stone angel.
Sometime after this the charming
widow. with male friend whom she
called Charley drop ped in again.
DO you know she said, 4 came
around to look al your pretty designs.
Charley aud l have concluded that
those great, costly orna ments are so
foolish, after ones dead, you know.
We think it's wicked, dou't Te Char
ley?
Charley allowed that it was.
'But,' she continued, those little
white boards, such as pat at the SOL
dier's graves, Charley and 1 think are
very nice. They are so very neat and
uupretentious. Could you make one OF
them for me, and put Georges mono
gram on il9 His initials make such a
pretty monogram
Then The monument mans cup vas
full, and he spilled over on them. lie
told her that Charley could get an old
sbinale and tack Que of Georges busi-
ness cards on to 1t.
Then she called him hUrrid beast,
and Charley said he would 'lick him Tor
half a cent and they sailed of.
Made a Mistake.