The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-02-03
A QUEER GIFT.

O~os8h1yp AuCOosChiOuS oh8 ObtOHAy w.
less, but "Tastes Differ.
A careless nail-it must have been
the nail which was careless-had torn
Bert's coat, but Aunt Marion had just
finished the bit Of delicate dsrning that
made the jagged rem, invisible. She
was shaking out the garment to hang
it away, when something dropped from
one Of the pockets and fell on the car
pet at her feet. She picked it up-a
little brown leafy roll-sniffed it, odor
disdsinfully, and, resisting her first in
clination to toss it into the CRATE, slow
ly laid it on the table beside her. 4'A
"Well, that is just what 1 have sus-
pected for some time" she said. "Poor
Bert! l suppose he thinks himself on
the sure road to manliness now"
The words were spoken only to her.
self, however; she said nothing to any
one else about it, though she sat for a
few minutes with very thoughtful
face before she hung the coat away and
took up other work. If Bert missed
anything from his pocket, he made no
inquiries. He was thankful that Aunt
Marion made none, and, as she did not,
he soon forgot the tritling affair in
what be considered more important
matters. Chief among these was his
birthday, which came few days later,
and it was very bright face which
greeted the parcels that lay beside his
plate at breakfast.
.'But what is thisp" he asked, with a
puzzled look, as, in among the Jocks,
telescopes and half dozen other
things that he wanted, he discovered a
neat little box holding only a short
| steel chain.
"rhatP Why that is wrist chain, :"
answered Aunt Marion, with great ear
nestness, as if the question were sur
prising one. us it the right size, l
wonderp ] had to guess at that" She
came around to his side, and lifting the
chain, slipped steel ring attached to
it over his little finger; then, drawing
the ends of the chain down, she fast
ened them around his wrist. Fits OK
actly, doesn't itp" she said enthusi-
astically.
eyes m, but" Bert hesitated. From
her manner he fancied that it was
something he ought to know all about
and appreciate very highly, but he
really could not see its value. "What
is it for, Aunt Mariona'
"Why, to wear on your wrist. Don't
you seep'' replied his aunt, giving it
another twist and settling it to her sat
isfaction.
'Some new fashion that l haven t
heard about, l suppose" muttered
Bert to himself, looking dolefully at
his new adornment as he carried his
treasures up to his room. women
have fancy for every new-fangled no.
ton, so l presume auntie thinks this is
something very nice; but l declare don't
see the sense Of it." He appreciated it
still less as he went about his morning
work. 1t caught, tangled and obtruded
itself disagreeably. mot very con-
venient,n he ventured to suggest to
Aunt Marion. But that lady only an
swered placidly:
"Oh, l don't think you will mind
that very much when you get accus-
toned to it," So she really expected
him to wear the troublesome thing and
get used to it! He was bordering the
subject when his friend Ralph came in
to see the new telescope.
"HellO! what are you wearing that
dog-collar forp" he questioned, curl
ously, as Bert displayed his hand in ar
ranging the glass.
"It's new thing. Didn't you ever see
one beforeP" asked Bert, coloring a
little.
Lots of them-on the necks OF
canines," declared Ralph, with uncere.
monious ifankncss, but I don't sec
what you want to wear one on your
arm for"
"Well, the fact is, I don't" con.
fessed Bert, "but don't know exactly
what to do about it. You see, it Is one
Of my birthday gifts some new-fash
ioned arrangement that has taken
auntie's fancy" It was . fashion Of
which Ralph had never heard, and he
said 80. His visits and comments LEFT
Bert still less pleased with the odd gift,
he had received. At last he decided to
talk it over with Aunt Marion:
4 "You see, l am ever so much obliged
to you, auntie, but ] don't know JUS
what to do with the thing" he ex
planned. "What Is the good Of wear
ing itr" p
"Oh, 1 don't suppose there is an,
good in It," answered Aunt Marion
Serenely. L5TyS
"Weil, 1 don't think il 10 very-orna
mental, you know" ventured Bert
hesitatingly.
"Oh dear, no!-not the least bit or
J namental." assented his aunt.
"And, besides, it's inconvenient. )"
"Pnbably; but think you woult
} grow accustomed to that after awhile
; and not notice 1t much"
"But what is the use Of getting ac
custOmed to ia chain ike thatp'
demanded bert, growing more AMI
more bewildered "wAat would 20
J want to wear it forp" IOl fu9a' =
up Oh, l wouldn't want-to wear
for anything" declared Aunt Marisu
- placidly As before. ut b unsightly
inccnvenisnt and utterly useless. !
! wouldn't wear it, but your taste Nigh
be different" 1u Y5F .fr
.You must have q high opinion (
my supply Of common sense, AuI
Marion!" Bert flashed. indignant,
; ..Do you think. am silly enough
like what nobody else would wantp"