Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1882-02-07
Mis EoUs.
THE MAJOLICA PITCHER,

~ QRA, you must go "' said her aunt.
- 81 insist upon you accompanying your
uncle and myself"
Indeed, aunt, 1 cannot. NV dress"
Never mind the dress I'll zee to that ;
there's week yet. I want you to know the
lrVinetons. They're a good family and
besides, you stand in your own light by Sc .
oludiug yourself. Mrs Irvington is very
popular. very influential and will be sure to
speak of you to her friends"
"Why don't you tell her there's to be a
first rate beau there 2" iuterposed her uncle.
Warren Creigh is to he there. isn't he ?"
Lauras face grew flush, then white again.
Just to see him once moro, if we never
meet again J! murmured Laura to herself
passIonately, as she gained her own room.
"And he has forgotten too ! Three years
and am so changed =
The night of the party, if party il can be
called, came, and they we're all seated at the
tea table
"Ah but the prettiess thing in nv COL
lection, aud. the thing value most. is a
small piece OF maj jolica." said Mrs 1rvington
Laura had found al enthusiast after her
own heart in Mr.. Creigh, man not vet fiftv.
but IGJocng in magnifoe Mt beard of SNOWY
whit/ness.
Wletty. go bring me the little pitcher. :"
said Mrs. 1rvingtou to the servant at il
in the side cabinet And pray be very care
full. Here it is-my idol, she added. dis
| playing an exquisite pitcher Of antique shane.
Isn't it a beauty" she asked 1T is
over 200 years old Think of it !'
The pitcher passed from hand to hand
Laura looked at it Curiously as it went its
round.
oh! she said, or rather gssped, as it
came into her hands "Why, it looks like
an old friend. Yes, know it. 1t was once
mine"
The tears came into her eyes. Her vision
tor moment was blurred. As Laura passed
1t on, the precious bit OF ware came into con-
tact with pitcher close at hsnd, and in
another moment was lying in three pieces on
the table cover.
Gracious it is broken ~ cried Mrs Ir>
Ving'on. starting up breathless and pale
'Iaura. how could you ?" said her aunt.
Yes. I'm sure it's mine," said Laura,
rapidly and inconsequeDtly. "But-I'm SO
sorry; Still, if nuy one has imposed npon
you, Mrs 1rvington, you ought to know it.
painted this little pitcher myself"
Quite impossible" said Mrs. Irvinyton.
icily. The person who sold it to me would
not have deceived me for the world, and l
paid el0 for it"
Ten pouudsI" exclaimed Laura "Why.
L sold 1t for two, aud thought that was
wonderful price. 1 beg pardon" she added
the color rushing over her face II forgot
l was 30 astonished-I am very, very sorry
"Never mind" said Mrs. Irviugton. ora
ciously, as they rose from the table John. -
! she added. turning to her brother. "why
don't you come to my help? You sold me
the ware"
But John only pulled a. hia venerable
beard and held his tongue and the party
separated into groups. the old gentleman still
| following Laura, ard Lsura's aunt condoliDg
with her friend upon the subject of her loss
Il did sell that pitcher to my sister," said
Mr.. John Creigd, seating himself comforta
bly, on the lounge. which Laura had taken.
| with burning cheeks.
81 understood her to cay So" was Laura's
! dignifed reply.
But, Miss Singleton, also understood
that the ware was 200 years old. The per.
son who purchased it from you told me So"
"And so it was, before l painted it. 1t
belonged to my ancestors, little white. plain
bit of eartheuwsre, whose only beauty was
its shape. Its lovely shape created in me q
desire to render it still more beautiful. So
as have talent that way, l spent all nv
spare time for weeks in making it az perfec,
as could That was when my father wa.
living, and We had plenty But, oh, sucb
dark days came, So terrible For M
father had died insolvert. One day, in pass,
ing by small, dark shop, 1 saw some little
pieces OF old Italian ware An idea struck
me Wewere then in almost starving con.
dItIon. l carried the pitcher at oncs 70 the
little dark shop have spoken of. thinking il
might bring few shiilings. To my sur.
PRISE. the young man to whom made the
offer to sell gave me e."