Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-03-04
ripped the coa:se covering which envelop-
ed the parcel. We all started back.
"a rag carpet?" exclaimed my husband


elect.
"a common, coarse thing, only fit for a
dust-man's kitchonr' exclaimed Nelly
Pinkham: while Alice Eden, who had work
ed herself up to high state of nervous x
pectaiion, burst into tears
Who ever heard Of such a thing?" said
Juliet Grayson, disdainfully. THE horrid
mean old miser.'
''Girls, > said, recovering myself as best
l couid, "you must not talk so. Uncle Je-
horam meant it all in kindness. dare say
he thought could make it useful-and
mean to accept it in the same spirit in which
ii was offered"
Harry stopped down and gave me kiss.
''You're dear, sensible iitt e thing .
said he. 'Uncle Jehoram has reason to be
proud of his niece"
'But you'll never put it on exhibition
with the other presents;" said Alice incred-
ulously
"Of course SHALL" said I.
And did. And the girls never knew of
the little private ''cry' I had all by my
self when they thought was selecting the
prettiest flowers to decorate the big BRIDE
cake; for 1 had expected something nice
from the rich old bachelor uncle whom /
of striped red carpeting was disappoint-
ment
But the eventful day came, with it's white
satin bows and Odor of hot-house flowers
ard rustic of silks and lacos. anil Uncle Je-
horam's rag carpet occupied place OF hon
or among the silver teapots and china SER
vices and embroidered sofa pillows and
countless pretty gimcracks that burdened
the s'present table"
We bad been married for about half an
hour, when was standing beside Harry
under the great floral hell receiving con-
gratulations from my friends. when queer
little brown faced man, in faded wig and
a suit Of clothes tt at exactly matched his
complexion, walked up to me bDwing low.
s.Wish Y. u much joy, Mrs. Monteith,
said he.
THANK you. SIR" said I, trying to re-
member who he was, and failing altogeth-
er.
But had made up my mind he must be
the eccentric Methodist minis'e er who lived
around the corner, and was in the habit of
going where he pleased. whether lie was in
vited or not. ''I've been looking at your
wedding presenis,'' said he. ''Curious
thing, that bundle of rag carpet" pointing
to il with his nobby walking stick. ''Should
not have supposed yon'd have Il at among
your pretty gimcracks ="
sit is rather strange gifr," said my
husband, ''particularly as it came from a
rich old curmudgeon who"
But checked Harry with look.
'.FrOm dear relative of mine.H said |,
'whose kind remembrance gratiiies me be-
yond expression"
"Oh!' said the little brown-faced man,
looking from Harry tome with keen, bright
eyes like those of bird, ''you are pleased
with it, then?'
'sMore pleased than I can express"
answered, earnestly.
''lIumpl!" commented the little oil man.
"Would You obj ct to having it lifted down
and uniOled ?'' I've some curiosity to
look at the pattern"
1t WAS Il strange request. but we did not
know how to refuse ii, and presently the
gay stripes of The rag carpet were unrnlled
ON the fl,,or before the astonis5ed eyes of
our wedding guests, yard upon yard, back
ward and forward until -fitn, the very
heart of the tightly packed cylinder, out
fell small black leather tox.
''Eh ?' said the little brown man, pounc-
ing On it more like p bird than ever.
'.What is this? Not diamnnds!"
Diamonds in good truth. The scintillat
ing blaze Of a necklace-,he glitter of soil
tara ear-dIops that nearly dazzled .,y
eyes.
"Uncle Jehoram! 1t is Uncle Jehoramv'
cried l. the scales suddenly falling from my
mental vision.
'Niece!' said the lit man, as he cere-
moniously hung the sparkling chain around
my neck. ''if you had scornfully rejected
the old mans homely present and sent it
back to him, as some young women would
have done. you would never have discover
ed the secret ut the old family diamonds.
''Niece you are a sensible girl, and / con-
gratulate your husband on the possession
Of a treasure more precious than rubies."
And on this Uncle Jel,oram made Gu
rous little bow. like !ack-knlfe shutting
itself up, and disappeared among the crowd.
And from that moment to this have never
seen him, although he writes me kindly
letter every year, declining all invitations
to visit us.
81 am best by myself" he writes.
"When die you will find that have not
forgotten you. Until then let me live on
like the solitary old oyster that l have
taught myself to be-"
And the rag carpet covers the floor tf
our second best chamber, which is furnish
ed after substantial style, and the dia-
monds are tine envy and admiration of
my female friends.