Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-24
AN EXPENSIVE GIFT
By EMORY j. HAYNES.
[Capuriahted. 1851

ICepYTtGhted, lSS6.i
something odd, rich and in good
teste.'
Expensive. of COURSE" responded the
obsequious salesman, with a knowing
twinkle in his eye.
"Well, you know don't mind the COST"
answered.
Il should say not, Mr.. Clifford" the man
replied, at the same time bowing me along
in that body-bendlng sort of way that
salesmen seem to think tickles us custom
ers who have big money to spend.
Right this way. Into our sanctum sane
forum. Yes, yes. Aha! Not every one
is invited in here"
And he poked me deferentially along
into that room with the curtains and gas
light, don't you know, where they pretend
tOkeep their incest things in art.
In fact, they knew me well at Bottoms.
was tree buyer of anything new and
rare that they imported; had been, indeed,
for ten years, ever since L came into my
property.
What a raft Of stuff you gentlemen
have worked into my bachelor quarters,
rrst and last" SAID to the salesman.
And yet, sir, not a parvenu in your
residence! Not vulgar piece. All verita-
ble."
Yes, fatter myself / have good
taste," sighed.
But then young Bolton of the house was
one OF ours at the club ana had been
schooled abroad in this virtu business,
uon't ye know. | met him first over
there.
My wish in this particular instance was
lOr something delicate but very sincere,
as tney call 1t. l had rarely ever been so
genuinely moved. | think never in. my
ne L might have permitted myself to
oecome actually excited over 1t, except
.haC never forgot what belonged TO good
orm. Now the last hurdle at Sheepsbead
pay Will excite most men, especially II
tney have much up. But l never gave
way. Did you never notice me on my
COD statuesque TO the finish, and my
glasses not even trembling as i put them
ony eyes? The fellows always remarked
On OF 1t, did the dear boys, and envied me.
es, don't you know. just so at LIE
urand Prix. And you know how hot 1t
al"9ys ls in Paris in June. or course,
ene Derby is bit exciting to everybody,
80 many there.
Inc fair creature-as they put it In the
oiu-tashioned novel; never read these
new ones about the Laphams, for they
make me think OF pictures unvarnlshed,
anu beside they come too close home, sort
vulgar photography OF Boston people
"nom know; and any fellow can man
aye camera. but it takes an artist to
create aud paint fair creature with real
remantic surroundings-well,I met her
4rst In Geneva, where she was at school.
uer watchful parents were staying near
oy at pension.
~ was for her thai / wanted this pres
nut For five years had bided my time.
inat sweet face-but ber parents were
[@yuritanical our sort OF people, very wealthy,
you Know, but very proper. The child
mas ever under a duenna of q preceptress,
"u0 Kept my queen quite out Of reach OF
such scapegrace as l was then. used
w W manage to meet her, however. Don't
Il She Young heart thrill as no or ehe reads
s Suis with the memories Of those Geneva
oonools, walking out in such pretty pro-
esslcn on Saturday afternoons, with the
sacners ahead and alongside and bring
s up the rear; the brilliant winters
Eunshine, the glorious lake, the long
''luge around whose shapely piers the