Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-02-16


voted, so unselhsh, depriving himself
Of even the smallest indulgence for me
and our little Onesl 1 think bitterly on
the unequal distribution of the good
things of this world; so few have all
and so many have nothing at all; but
when / say so, Charlie laughs and says
I'm little communist, a dangerous
character, and should be suppressed.
As usual, while l am sitting sewing,
! am devising a thousand impracti-
cable schemes, when my revery is in
terrupted by my elder boy, Robert.
"Oh, mamma! see those beautiful
poniesr'
look out and see a phaetOn drawn
by 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 life of privatiOn.
Ny husband dying for the need OF the
money she ldvished on horses and dogs
| week.
l cannot help a reproachful feeling
toward my aunt as / reflect on her
capricious treatment of me. At sight
/ Of that cruel face / live over again
that last 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 $50 for
them," she had said.
Fifty dollarsp / exclaimed aloud.
Fifty dollars means rest, country air,
rowing. riding. life, and health for
Charlie"
/ opened the satin-lined box and
looked at the yellow baubles, that
smiled and twinkled in their soft bed,
as II they were glad they were going to
be Of some use at last.
"Oh, you treasurer / said, and
kissed them rapturously and with a
thankful heart.
While Iput on my hat and shawl
had mentally made away with half my
legacy, for l had bought Charlie a new
suit, nice, warm hannels and all, and
barely left him enough TO pay his
board with in the country. Carried
away by the excitement of the moment.
j scarcely knew what / was doing till
found myself in the palatial store at
/ Bank street, and heard a gentlemanly
voice say, in answer to my question:
"Will you please wait moment,
madamY'
He spoke to an elderly man, who in
while came to me and said:
"Would you mind telling me, madam,
how this set of jewelry came into your
pOssessionY'
My heart sank. There seemed to be
something of 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"
evil you please give me your name
and addre5s?"
\ did SO, aud found that the younger
man knew my husband well, and also
remember having seen me in the store
with my aunt.
"Do you know, madam, what these
jewels are worth?"
about $50, suppose" 1 said.
He took one of the earrings out of
the case, and giving little twist and
a light pressure of the small gilt knob
at the lower side of the ball, it opened
into two parts; taking off the golden
envelope, he held up to my astonished
eyes an immense solitaire diamond that
sparkled and blazed like star as il
trembled in his hand.
The earrings alone are worth 10000
and with the brooch, which opens, too
you see, the set is worth &25,0OO.
The words had no meaning to me;
everything faded before my eyes-all
was darkness. When / came to my
senses l was lying on a lounge, and a
sweet-looking lady sat by me bathing
my head. When was sufficiently re-
covered to think of what had hap
pened, and was assured that it was not
a dream, had another interview with
the gentleman, who. like the genii in
an Arabian story, had evoked such
wonders from simple golden ball.
i Upon my signifying my desire tC
sell the jewels, an agreement was
made, and went out of the store q
rich woman, with 0rmulu & Co.'S
check for 10000 in my pocket.
When / reached home, Charlie stood
; ut the front door waiting for me, look
= ing anxious, poor fellow, for no one
) could tell where 1 had gone, and It was
very unusual for me TO be out wher
he came home. He must have thought
: l had gone crazy. when, putting the
check in his hand, threw my arms
round his neck right there in the vesti
bule. and, crying as IL my heart would
! break, said,-
! "Oh, Charliel Oh, Charliep Ther
when he had taken me into the house
/ drew all my little ones into my arms
, crying, 'Oh, my darlingsi my darlingsr
When my excitement had abateC
. somewhat / thought of the precious
] paper.
, Where is the check?' / said.
! 'Checkr said Charlie. "Poor dar
; ling. trouble has turned your brain"
( But upon my insisting, very mucl
as one humOrs a sick child, he consent
= ed to hunor me, and pretended to lool
: for il.
Here is something. papa" exclaimed
: Amy. as sheput In his hand crumplet
I bit Of paper she had picked up in tn,
hall.
can see that expression on his face
L do really believe my husband, for 8
minute. thought 1 had, in my insanity
been guilty Of forgery, burglary, high,
way robbery, or some dreadful thing.
1t seems but yesterday. and yet Eve
= happy years have gone since then, and
; we have a house OF our own, with /,
cozy library full Of books for Charlie
, and large sunny. lovely room for tn,
children's nuseTy.
You wouldn't know Charlie, he is 8,
. - 49,. H.. a..