Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1882-05-18

and slippers and jewelry. We held lit
tie receptions every afternoon month
before the wedding, and my wardrobs
was laid out in the best bedroom fol
comment and inspection.
1t was about this time that Stepher
Barker said to uncle: Il understand
Frances has twenty-five thousand dollars
l wish her 10 have it so settled on her,
self. and for her own absolute use. thai
propose, Mr.. Miles. il YOU are willing,
to add $4,000 TO it. and buy for her the
Stamford estate. 1t is only three miles
from here, the house is very fine one
the land excellent. and then, whatever
changes come, it secures her compe.
tency, for rs soon as the railway is fin
ished it will be worth double. What dc
you sayg'
IL think Your offer extremely gener.
Gus. Mr.. Barker and. of course, for such
a purpose, am willing to hand over to
you at once Frances fortune. The in
terest has been applied to her own use
always. Will you look at the accounts9''
"Your word is sufii lent, Mr. Miles
So in about two weeks the transfer
was safely and amicably effected. and
Stamford Hall and estate were firmly
and surely made over to Frances Halli-
day. spinster, for her and her heirs for.
ever. ! must state here that | opposed
rs strongly as thought right Stephen S
gift OF $4,000. and his subsequent
outlay of 81. 900 on furniture, but both
uncle and aunt said that the settlement
was small enough for man of his
means, and that it would be affectation
to oppose it. And really Stephen man
aged the whole affair with such fatherly
kindness and thoughtfulness that could
not bear to oppose him.
At length the wedding day drew near.
II had been arranged for Wednesday
morning. and we were to leave for New
York Immediately after the ceremony.
Cousin Jose. who had prepared himself
to look down ON all the world from the
pulpit. was to perform the ceremony.
This showed in Jose n very Christian
spirit. seeing that he had once looked
on me and my $4,000 with affection,
and l had not appreciated the honor.
However, he forgave me at this inter-
esting epoch, and came beaignly to bless
my venture. He brought me as pres.
ent black onyx seal ring, on which was
set cross in seed-pearls. He had Of
fered me it once before. with his alice
tons and his manse, and had then re.
fused it. took it this time.
1t helped to swell the list of my pres
ents. and they certainly made a goOdly
show. First there was The Stamford
estate from my father and Stephen
Barker, and the settled bills for $1,000
worth of new furniture which Stephen
had sent to make the old rooms pretty
and comfortable. Uncle gave me a set
of silver, and aunt some fine china,
both of which gifts took care to send
to Stamford before my wedding day.
My cousins and aunts and friends gave
me all sorts of jewelry and pretty per-
sonal knick-knacks, and these l care
fully packed in the half-dozen trunks
which were already corded and direct
ed two days before the marriage day.
For Stephen had proposed to send all
my trunks to our New York hotel two
DAYS before we left, in order that we
might have no concern about them, and
that l might be sure to have all !
wanted on my arrival. l opposed this
plan at first, but aunt said ait was
eminently proper and thoughtful" So
all my wardrobe except my wedding
dress and travelling suit arrived at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel. New York, on the
last day Of my maiden life.
Norman Strong called that night,
and was in remarkably high spirits. He
wished me every happiness. and was
very attentive to Malvina. Aunt
thought his behavior charming-so I'M
seliish-and was also very well salts
fed with it.
81 shall call you about eight O'Clock.
Frances said my aunt. as 1 babe her