The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-06-01
"FAIRY'S SLIPPERS"
Grandmother's Story Of Her
Younger Daya

A great dim garrett where the air
was sweet with mingled odors from
drying herbs hung from its an
Gent rafters. The sunset light family
penetrated the dusky space, glancing
here and there upon bit of glowing
color in some quaint gown that limp
ly pendent retained not curve of the
form it draped in time gone by.
Beneath the caves where floor and
rafters all but meet leaned rows of
faded portraits in dull. furnished
frames The painted eyes rested on a
quaint old cradle, tattered books. dis
carded dolls, a sled. battered rock
ing-horse, a drum-forgot:en Things
that spoke of many generations tn t
had been born and lived and died be-
meath that roof
There was noise upon the stairs,
the click of dainty modern heels, and
a group of pretty girls invaded the gar
ret seeking amusement from its treas
ures The dust flew from the lids of
trunks and boxes, whose contents
stiff brocades and clinging muslins
homespun gowns. and curious fabrics
still breathing of the Orient whence
they came-excited the amazcment
and delight Of the girls -
At last the leader of the party drag
ged from dusky corner a small.
much-worn trunk. covered with horse
hide and studded with brass nails
There was a tantalizing rustic of
wrappings from within, but the trunk
resisted evory effort at opening it
at must be locked" cried Dolly,
hot and breathless.
''How provoking" exclaimed Nell.
81 wonder where's the key"
''What key, dear?" asked a voice
from the door. where stood new
conner
''Oh. grandmamma! Do please open
this for us!'' cried the girls, Selling
upon the little lady. who. nothing 10th.
produced bunch of keys and seated
herself before the old trunk.
There was = breathless pause as she
lifted the lid, and took from its wrap
pings a marvellous gown of old bro
cade. The girls spread out its rich
folds, with cries of admiration.
1t was of a beautiful rose-color. with
hints of blue and other gorgeous hues
that blended in the harmony only pro-
duced by subtitle weavers of the East.
Threads of gold. outlining a flower
here and there, glittered bravely in the
lamplight as grandmamma smiled over
it.
WAS it yours, g-andmamma?''
asked Dolly.
''Yes, dear" she answered absently,
bending to lift small box from the
trunk.
''Oh! tell US about when you wore
T." begged Nell. I'm sure it has a
story
"Yes. it has," said gradmamma
thoughtfully; land have cause to re-
member it,
The girls seated themselves on trunks
and boxes and looked at her in de-
lighted expectation; for her stnries
were rare and much priced. Holding
her hands upon the little box she
began:
My life in this old house was quietly
happy; until l was nineteen years old
there was no story to till of it. The
railroad was not then built. and people
travelled by stage-coach or stayed at
home. Houses were few and scattered.
A family whom will call Burton Qest
you recognize them too sooa were our
nearest neighbors. though half mile
distant. Sally and Polly Burton were
near my own age, and were my very
dear friends
'-On my eighteenth birthday. I re-
ceived this brocade as present from
my g .dfather. He was sea-captain.
and had brought this from the East on
his last voyage. 1t was considered
wonderfully beautiful even there. so
you can imagine what sensation it
caused here.
Mother rightly thought it far too
fne for me. and laid it away in this
same little trunk until ] should arrive