The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-07-03

desk, labeled respectively with the
1 names of his two nieces, Eunice and
Nina, ITO be presented upon theil
marriage"
''Fiddlesticks!' said Eunice. disdain.
fully, 81 don't want the vulgar old
things"
There" said Nina, softly, 81 will
keep them both, for Uncle Nahum's
sake!'
And. spite of Eunice's sarcasm, she
put them carefully away among her
treasures.
"Who knows but what I NAV want
to make the real electric cake one OF
these days." she said, laughingly.
Ihe double wedding came off gor-
geously ut the Dalton mansion. but it
proved to be the last glitter of the ex-
piring torch of wealth and fortune.
The cake. all glittering with its sugared
fairies and pictured orange wreaths-
the bridal banquet-the very band
which discoursed sweet music to the
wedding guests were obtained on cred
1t, and not one of the luckless trades
people were paid!
For the next day Matthew Dalton's
entire and total failure was ringing
over all the town, and with this was
also involved the ultimate ruin Of his
son-in law, Herbert Lesderner.
From suite of elegant apartments
at the St. Saffron hotel, Mrs. Lesder-
ner descended to the second floor in a
respectable tenement-house, and great
were her weepings and wailings and
gnashing of teeth.
Jerome Falconer struggled bravely
against the adverse tide as long as
struggles were of any avail, but
the failure of his father and brother
in-law induced Il withdrawal of con-
tidence and credit, and his temporary
embarrassment followed.
$50 you We come down in the world,
too," said Eunice, bitterly, as she
seated herself in the pleasant little
room where Nina was domiciliated.
up in the world, rather" laughed
the CHEEKY girl. ''why, we are on the
third story here, and to tell you the
truth, Eunice. l like it a great deal bet
ter than did the big house on Mad
ison avenue, with it's hollow-sounding
paved halls. TO be sure, it isn't so
pleasant to be poor. but as long as Je-
rome is well and in good spirits
Pleasant pouted Eunice. II some
times almost wish that 1 was dead.
What are you going to do now?"
For Mrs. Falconer was examining
the state of her little range stove with
dimpled housewifely interest.
What do you think?" she asked
archly, by way of response.
Il am sure haven't the least idea."
al am going to try my hand at cake
baking. Jerome delights in fresh cake,
and Uncle Nahums receipt book GER
tainly ought to be used. Don't you
want yours?'
mo, indeed; 81 have no heart for
such folly" signed Eunice.
Folly! don't call it folly" laughed
Nina. II don't think Uncle Nahum
could have given me more acceptable
gift. Of what use are all my point
lace, Jewels and cashmeres now?''
AS she spoke she opened the curious
little volume, dark-hued, and fastened
with a little tongue of discolored leath-
er, which slid beneath strap of the
same to fasten it.
What IL queer little book" she said,
''and what an odd pocket at the end,
stuffed full of newspapers. Why,
they're not newspapers at all-they're re
look Eunice, they are folded bank
notes."
They were. The end pocket or COM
partment was filled with packets, each
wrapped in a slip of newspaper con-
tanning some single receipt for cake,
jelly or marmalade, and tied round
with q bit of waxed linen thread.
Uncle Nahum's quaint fancy had
taken that peculiar turn, and each
worn little receipt book contained two
thousand dollars in tifty-dollar bills.
''Eunice," cried Nina, when the two
sisters had recovered in some degree
from their astonishment. ''there is Un-
estimably valued just at present? Oh,
if l could only see the dear old man
once more, to kiss him and thank him
as he deservesm
And Nina burst into tears, which
flowed from very mingled sources.
A little while ago $4,000 would have
seemed but tritle in the aggregate of
her annual expenses, now it was COM
parative wealth-the foundation, as it
were, of new fortune. The old man
could scarcely have taken more Sc
cure method of keeping his memory
green" in the hearts of his two nieces.
And years afterward, when Eunice
and Nina were once more restored,
through the instrumentality of Uncle
Nahum's oddly-given present, to COM
petence. if not to wealth, the worn old
receipt book occupied a position of
honor on the rosewood shelves of the
carved library bookcase.