Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-26
A DEAD MANS SHOES.
BY HARRIET PRESCOTT sPoFFORD.


they had seemed very desirable. Ever since she
had come into the family, and even before that
time, Mrs. Eversley had been pinohed in one
way or another; So after all, it was much Of q
piece. as she said. Ever since she had come
into the family, too, they had been signing to
think Uncle Trevor had so much money, and
the family had none.
1t was true Uncle Trevor had earned his
money, and the family had never lifted finger
to earn penny; but what odds should that
make, they reasoned, where there il proper
family feeling? 1t is true that Uncle Trevor
early In youth, had gone out and asked for q
place behind counter, had not scorned to
weigh and measure and tie up and fetch and
carry, and had advanced from step to step, hard
work and constant work, first with hand and
then with head, until the present day; and it is
equally true that the family had sat still in their
dignity, gone without when they didn't have
enough, kept an eminently genteel front to tho
world, becoming poorer every day with tho In.
creasing uses for money, and longed for Uncle
Ireyor's money, to which, 1t was understood,
the present time, they receive barely 80 much AZ
the dust Of its coinage.
Did Mrs. Eversley wish for Uncle Trevor's
death? How could You ask such thinR7 Where
had Sc shown anything that should lead to such
a. supp0sltlon3 That she wished for some Of
they were poor; tt was no disgrace to be poor;
but they had always held their heads up: and to
be well born and well bred placed one on an
equality with all the money IN the world. Ger
tainly Trevor could have . better education II
there was any reciprocity In Uncle Treyor's
mind; he could 60 to Germany and pursue his
studies and make himself . name, instead Of
dawdlfng In q cOuntinR-room over set Of books
that he didn't know how to keep. Why didn't
ne learn how to keep them7 Well. what folly
1t would be to spend the best years of his life
learning something he would have no use for!
Uncle Trevor had given them positively to I'M
derstand that when he was done with his money
they were to have 1t, or the use Of It. Probably
the other Eversleys would come In for some
thing; but Trevors name, Of course, made his
fortune certain. 1t was Just as much Of course
that no fragrant difference would be made be-
tween him and Teresa and Laura, poor girls!
Well. 1t could not be very long now, at all
events, and one must have patience and shuttle
the cards: II she did not wish for her brother
in-law's death, that was certainly all that could
be expected Of her; If she would not be sorry
when 1t occurred. that was his fault-he could
have been generous and considerable enough to
make her sorry. And SO Mrs. Eyersley's little
mind ran on.
Poor Uncle Trevor! immersed in his wide op-
erations and enterprises, he hardly thought Of
the wants and whims Of other people; he had
none Of bis own. living simply. wearing old
Clothes forgetting theaters, always walking,
never driving, and finding all the pleasure he
wanted In the successful issue Of his schemes.
Had he once suspected the state of mind In his
dead brothers family, don't know whether he
would have stopped and made them all rich In
his lifetime. or would have cut them all off
with . shilling.
II don't know, mamma" said Teresa-Mrs.
Eversley's step-daughter, who was accustomed
the wisdom Of our way Of
life. Here we are, all Of US, with expensive
and luxurious tastes. constantly feeling depriva-
tion, and constantly mortified among people,
waiting for Uncle TrevOr's money, and uncle In
capital health"
II don't know any other way of life we can
pursue" said Mrs Eversley. with her languid
elegance. II don't suppose even you would
want me to take boarders.'
Teresa always had q vulgar cast to her
dignifed to work as to live at your ease" And
no bit of the end Of his cigar before sauntering
out on his afternoon walk.
Poor boy!" said his mother. "And he would
30 well become fortune!'
well" said Teresa, 'Trevor may call me
vulgar, and you may cover me with reproaches.
but have weighed the matter and /
am going to hang on our expectations no lon
ger. have spoken to Uncle Trevor, and he
will lend me his name, and I shall take the
rooms and open an establishment like Madame
Paletot's"
"Teresal"
"Of course shall lose caste; but caste is not
everything In this world, as you'll agree
when the dollars come rolling in and
our bank account goes rolling up
And for answer Mrs. Eyersley tainted. ''That
should live to see child of your father's!"
she sobbed, incoherently, when she came out of
the fit. ''And what will Harold Van Duysen
say?" and went of in series of kicking hys-
terics.
81 cannot turn you. your fathers own child,
nf NV nrro md -
the next day, when Teresa had unfolded her
plans more In detail.
mo, you cannot" said Teresa, quietly. eBe-
cause. as the law stands, and poor papa's will, 1
have just a. much right in 1t as you have And
l don't believe you wish to do go"
but can tell you what think Of q person
who goes deliberately to work to spoil her Sis
ters prospects," said Mrs. Eversley now with
more temper than tears, as she put her little
gray eurls out Of her eyes. ''Do you suppose
that Harold Van Duysen will ever think of offer
Ing his hand to Laura now"
II don't know that he ever did think Of It,"
said Teresa, with color swimming up the olive
OF her cheek.
"This, said her mother, with solemn dignity.
ibas settled the matter now. He will never
choose his wife among trades-people Oh!"~
with shudder, and buIying her face In her
fancywOrk. which elegant fiction she usually
kept beside her-''rm thankful you are not a
child of mine! l always knew that 'p' In your
mothers name would bear its fruits Thompson
with 'p'!"
eff any letter in my mothers maiden name"
said the stepdaughter, with a laugh, .'has caba-
istc power enough to make me ashamed of
waiting for dead mans shoes it is a spell much
needed In this family" And Teresa went about
her business with light heart, feeling that the
worst was over In having broken her intention
10 the household, and all Trevor's subsequent
and naughty silence toward her, as il she were
unworthy OF word from the future head of the
house she so dishonored, did not weaken her de-
termination.
OF course, her long-occupied social position
brought her at once clientele these in an
prevail, and those In curiosity. But having a
finished taste, and knowing exactly what was
wanted by the people with whom she had ssso-
dated, she kept them all az customers, and soon
enlarged her borders. That as she soon felt.
The was no longer ono Of nous a,stres did not
Affect her much; she was pretty well tired of
nous d,.res. But that any of such feeling should
be reflected In her haIf-sister Laura was q mat
ter OF regret. "Never mind, Laura dear" abe
,aid. when have made my fortune-and
shall make 1t; ] paid Uncle Trevor ND today
we will 20 away and see the world; we Will live
IN Europe, see the midnight sun, float on the
agoons Of Venice, go up the Mic, battle In Jor.
Ian. take look at Japan. And when we come
shop"
"You needn't think I feel badly, Tara" said
Laura, her sweet blue eyes full Of nervous tears.
|" I've been looking it ell over, and can't Gee