St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-10-15
A WEDDING GIFT,

A WEDDING GlFT.
So you are going to be married girls, are
your" said Uncle Nahum. A little silver
haired man, with deep wrinkles plowed in
his parchment-like forehead. and suit of
bright. oldfashioned blue cloth, gayly gar
nished with brass buttons, he looked gro
tesquely unlike the surroundings of that
elegant suite Of drawing-rooms in which he
sat. like the fairy godfather in an ell
chanted palace.
Eyes, Uncle Nahum" said Nina, 1--WE
are really going to be married-Eunice and
/. Will you come to the wedding?"
Uncle Nahum lifted his keen, gray ewes
to Eunice's face. She neither spoke nor
looked up. Evidently she had no intention
of confirming her sisters cordial invitation.
mo, child, no." SAID the old man. evil
IDENTIFY little disappointed; I'D cut Door
figure at your grand weddings. Only I
hope that you have chosen well''
''There can be no doubt at all about
that" said Eunice, haughtily; 81 am to
marry Mr.. Lesderner, broker, and Nina
is engaged to Mr.. Falconer, a gentleman of
independent wealth."
''And s'pose you'll have lots of pres
ents," said Mr.. Dalton. ''Silver and gold
and china foI-de-roIs, and goodness knows
what all. Well. we'll wish | had some
thing to send you that would be of use in
your grand way of living"
''Your good wishes will be sufficient.
Uncle Nahum" said Eunice, rather stiffly.
But I'll tell you," said the old man, with
Frightening face, ''what l have got.
Your Aunt Rebeeea's receipt books-that's
my wife. dead and gone these ten years
and there amt better lot of receipts not
in the whole state of Connecticut. You'd
like that girls, wouldn't YEP"
Eunice broke out into peal of irresisti-
bic laughter, needless of the hurt look
which gradually crept over the face of the
old man, but Nina pressed her lips to his
wrinkled brow and StrOked his hand softly
in hers.
'It's very kind Of you to think of it.
uncle Pm sure" said Nina land what.
Here comes papa now to take YOU ND to
Central park in the carriage. so let me go
and get your hat
Uncle Nahum did not prolong his visit
to the city beyond day or two
But few days had elapsed when tidings
came of the sudden death of the kind old
man.
Its very strange" said Matthew Dalton
discontentedly, when the legal statement of
his brothers monetary affairs was laid
before him. 81 thought Nahum was worth
more money than that"
''We can't always judge by appearances.
sir. you know" said the lawyer
NO" said Mr.. Dalton, coloring. and
looking somewhat uneasy, you are quite
right there"
Two little leather bound receipt books.
worn and greasy with age, and bearing
marks of frequent usage, were found in
Nahum Dalton's stained pine desk, labeled
respectively with the names of his two
nieces, Eunice and Nina: ''To be presen ted
upon their marriage"
''Fiddlesticksy' said Euniee, disdain-
fully. Il don't want the vulgar old things"
There" said Nina, softly, 81 will keep
them both. for uncle Nahum's sake.'
So, in spite of Eunice's sarcasm, she put
them carefully away among her treasures.
WHO knows but what | may want to
make the real election cake one of these
days.' she said, laughingly.
The double wedding came off gorgeouslv
at the Dalton mansion, but it proved to be
the last glitter of the expiring torch of
wealth. The cake. all glittering with its
sugared fairies and pictured orange wreaths
the bridal bouquet-the very band which
discoursed sweet music to the wedding
guests-were obtained on credit, and not
one of the luckless tradespeople was paid.
For the next day Matthew Dalton's en-
tire 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. Lesderner descended
to a second floor in respectable tenement
house. and great were her weepings and
wailings and gnashing of teeth.
jerome Faleoner struggled bravely against
the adverse tides as long as struggles were
of any avail but the future of his father
and brother-in-law induced withdrawal of
confidence and credit and his temporary
embarrassment followed.
so you've come down in the world,
too" said Eunce bitterly, as she seated
herself in the pleasant room where Nina
was domiciled.
''Up in the world, rather" said the CHEEKY
girl; ''why We are on the the third story
and. to tell you the truth Eunice, like it
great deal better than did the big house
in Madison avenue, with its hoIlow-sound-
ing rooms and frescoed walls, and marble
paved halls. To be sure, it isn't so pleas
ant to be poor. but as long as Jerome is
we'll and in good Spirits"
Pleasant" pouted Euniee 81 some
times almost wish that | was dead What
are you going to do now?"
For Mrs. Falconer was examining the
state of her range stove with housewifely
interest.
Il am going to try my hand at cake
baking Jerome delights in fresh cake, and
Uncle Nahums receipt book certainly ought
to be used. Don't you want yours?"
mo, indeed; have no heart for such
folly" sighed Eunice.
Nina opened the curious little volume.
dark-hued and fastened with tongue Of
discolored leather, which slid between a
strap of the same to faSten it.
what 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 = look.
Eunce, ley are folded bank notesI"
They we've. The end pocket or COM
partment was filled with packets each
wrapped in slip of newspaper containing
some single recipe for cake, jelly. or
marmalade, and tied round with bit of
WaXed linen thread.
Uncle Nahum's quaint fancy had taken
that peculiar turn, and each worn little re-
ceipt book contained $4,000 in $50 bills.
'sEunice," cried Nina, when the two sis
tiers had recovered in some degree from
their establishment, there is Uncle
Nahum's wedding gift, and how inesti-
mably valued at present! Oh, if l could
only see the dear old man once more to
kiss him and thank him as he deservesv'
Est Proper ApPellation.