The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-06-21
A DEAD MANS O

4hCJ DluCHCu. 4IOy oOluCbiLlCS w.
And yet they had seemed very desir-
able. Ever since she had come into the
family and even before that time, Mrs.
Eversley had been pinched 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 a finger to earn a penny; but
what odds should that make, they rea-
soned, where there is proper family
feelingP 1t is true that Uncle Trevor,
early in youth, had gone out and asked
for a place behind a counter, had not
scorned to weigh and measure and tie
up and fetch and carry, and had adj
vanced 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 with
out when they didn't have enough, kept
an eminently genteel front to the world,
becoming poorer ever day with the in
creasing uses for money, and longed
for Uncle Trevor's money, to which, it
was understood, they would some day
be heirs, but of which, at the present
time, they received barely so much as
the dust of its coinage.
Did Mrs. Eversley wish for Uncle
Trevor's deathP How could you ask
such a thingP Where had she shown
anything that should lead to such a
suppositionp That she wished for some
of Uncle Trevor's money was quite an
other thing. They were poor; it no
disgrace to be poor; but they had al
ways held their heads up; and to be
well born and well bred placed one on
an equality with all the money in the
world. Certainly Trevor could have a
better education if there was any recip-
rocity in Uncle Trevor's mind; he could
go to Germany and pursue his studies
and make himself a name, instead of
dawdling in a counting-room over a set
of books that he didn't know how to
keep. Why didn't he learn how to keep
them? Well, what folly it 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 understand that when he was done
with his money they were to have it, or
the use of it. Probably the other Ever
sleys would come in for something; but
Trevor's name, of course, made his fort
certain. 1t was just as much of
course that no fragrant difference would
be made between him and Teresa and
Laura, poor girls! Well, it could not
be very long now, at all events, and one
must have patience and shuttle the
cards. If she did not wish for her
brothsr-in-law's death, that was GER
tainly all that could be expected of her;
if she would not be sorry when it oc-
Cured, that was his fault; he could
have been generous and considerate
enough to make her sorry. And SO
Mrs. Eversley's little mind ran on.
Poor Uncle Trevor! immersed in his
wide operations and enterprises, he
hardly thought of the wants and whims
of other people; he had none of his own,
living simply, wearing old clothes, for
getting 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. fam
lily, l don't know whether he would have
stopped and made them all rich in his
lifetime, or would have cut them all off
with a shilling.
"1don't know, mamma" said Teresa
Mrs. Eversley's step-daughter; who
was accustomed to slight habits of re-
bellion, at any rate in thought-"about
the wisdom of our way of life. Here
we are, all of US, with expensive and
luxurious tastes, constantly feeling
deprivation, and constantly mortified
among people, waiting for Uncle Trev-
or's money, and uncle in capital
health"
81 don't know any other way of life
we can pursue" said Mrs. Eversley,
with her languid elegance. 81 don't
suppose even you would want me to
take boarders."
Teresa always had a vulgar cast to
her mind" said Trevor. "She really
thinks it is as dignified to work as to
live at your ease" And he bit off the
end of his cigar before sauntering out
on his afternoon walk.
"Poor boy !" said his mother. sAnd
he would so well become a fortune!"
"Well," said Teresa, Trevor may
call me vulgar, and you may cover me
Wlou lOplOhCucS, hldIlInd, DuG J. nave
weighed the matter, and 1 am going to
hang on u expectations no longer. I
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."
Teresa"
''Of course shall lose caste; but caste
is not everything in this world, as you'll
agree, mamma, when the dollars come
rolling in and our bank account goes
eolling up"