River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-01-07
INVESTMENT.

his arms and caressing her, ''what
about Aunt Julia? DO not sob so,
dear you will make yourself ill.,
The fret said Elsie, keeping her
sObs somewhat more under control.
You know | was very much worried
when | heard of it, for | could not tell
by the papers whether Aunt Julia :
house was in the burnt district or not.
For the great Chicago fire was not a
week old, and the whole country
watched for news.
We'll. dear" said Walter, kindly.
1T is as bad as it can be, Walter.
Aunt Julia writes to me that her house
was totally destroyed, her very cloth
ing burned up. and her insurance
papers not entirely made out. She is
absolutely without anything in the
world except the clothes she had on.
Actually fed by charity. Oh. Walter"
Here the sobs came again thick and
fast, and Walter could offer no comfort
but such as was conveyed by silent
caresses. After time these were so
far cflectual that Elsie could speak
more calmly.
Now. little one" Walter said, tell
me why this troubles you so sorely? Do
YOU love your aunt so very dearly?"
"She has been everything mother
could be To me since my parents died,
Walter But while | was with her we
were very poor. Out of her own scanty
means she fed, clothed and educated
me until | took the situation of nursery
goyerness to your aunt's children, and
married you. But just before we We're
married, an old friend of aunt Julia 5
died IN Chicago, and left her zen thou
sand dollars. When she went to claim
her legacy, she saw the house she pur-
chased, and liked it so much she bought
it, her legacy covering the expense of
house, lot and furnature, while her own
little income would support ner. But,
unfortunately. she was persuaded to
draw out her tiny fortune and invest it
in two lots adjoining her house. Now
everything is swept away
'.She took care of you when you
were a child?"
For seventeen years, Walter, deny
ing herself to feed and clothe me.
Walter did not speak again for many
minutes, holding Elsie close in his arms.
At last he said, very grayely:
"If were a rich man, Elsie, would
not stop TO think in a case like this, but
say at once. Bring your aunt here. But
you know, little wife, my salary, though
sufficient for all our wants, with a mar
Gin for pleasure and saving a nest-egg,
IS yet not large. II invite your aunt
here, the difference of expense must fall
most heavily upon you, because | can
not give you many pleasures you enjoy
if have one more to support. Concerts
and jewelry. little gifts and pleasures,
will be beyond our means then. But II
YOU viii be happier knowing your aunt
has a home. | will go myself to Chicago
and bring her here.
"Oh. Walter, how kind, how gener-
Gus you are! / will never be able to
( thank YOU.
Then | am to 90. All right. l will
( get a leave of absence tomorrow. In
/ the meantime will telegraph your aunt
to meet me at the depot, if she has sent
any address"
u ne address is the lawyers who ar
ranged her legacy for Der, and who did
not live in the burnt district. Morse 4
/ Hunter.
A few days later, as fast as steam
would carry Walter to Chicago and
back. Elsie was waiting to welcome the
travellers. A telegram had Informed
her that Walter had found Julia waiting
at the depot and by what train to eX'
pect him home. The only spare room
in the pretty little house at Harlem
where Walter has brought his bride. wa:
in dainty order. Jennie, the servant
was aool ing the choicest supper Elsie
could devise, and the little wife herself
neatly dressed, was running TO the door
every minute watching for the carriage
1t came ut last. and W>.ter handed
out lady. Poor Elsie felt fairly sick
as the guest, totterod rather than
walked into the room. She was white
as ashes, her hair, Elsie remembered
black as a coal not one year before
streaked with grey. and her eyes sunk
en- as if with long illness. When the
waterproof cloak fell rom her shoul-
ders. her shabby dress was most un'
ike Aunt Julia's habitual ncatnesS
But. the first shock of srrprise over
Elsie had no words too 10y
inc TO welcome her aunt, while soft
tender kisses fell fast upon the pale
face.
..She is very tired, Elsie" Walter
whispered, seeing how yainly the white
lips tried to frame words. Get hel
to rest. dear, as soon rs YOU can.
So Elsie. tearfully loving, made hel
aunt lie upon the lounge, aud brought
her the most tempting of tea-trays, stop
ping the broken words of thanks by
kisses and CGresses. Walter, too, by s
hundred delicate attentions and few
spoken words made the guest feel thai
she was most cordially and gladly vel
coined.
In her own room Aunt Julia toll,
Elsie something of the horrors tina
had aged her more in. one fortnight
than in any previous two years of he
life. She had slept upon the ground
in drenehiDg rain for two nights
theu in a tent with no change of cloth
inc. and the memory of the fire terror
TO haunt her. She had begged III
paper aud the stamp to write 10 Elsie
Then she told OF Walters tender car
of Der 10 the long journey, when she
racked By pain. often could not speai
for hours. how like son he had care
for her comfort. 1t was sad story
tand Elsie's tears fell fast.
+ ..But now" she said. YOU are q
home. | have put underclothes an
loose wrappers in here, Auntie, unit
re. eSn have some dresses ntted. lie
ne uDdress ron nov,
Gently and tenderly the shabb
clothes we're removed. the weary Jtee
bathed. do gyay-Stfeaked bal
smoothed, and snowy linen put oRt fo
the night. Then, utterly tired. AnL
Julia sank into the bed, whispering;
Think, Elsie. have not been IN
Os.s tcr twelve nights"
But aias, siS was not SO soon [