Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-03
THE BROCADE SLIPPERS.

sweet with mingled odors from drying herbs,
hung from its ancient rafters. The sunset
family penetrated the dusky space, CHANGING
here and there upon bit of glowing color in
nome quaint gown that, Imply pendant, re-
tanned not a curve OF the form it draped in
times 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 quaint old cradle, tattered books.
discarded dolls, a sled, battered rocking
horse, a drum--forgotten things that spoke
of many generations that had been born and
lived and died beneath that roof.
There was a noise upon the stairs, the click
of dainty modern heels, and a group OF
pretty girls invaded the garnet, seeking
amusement from its treasures. The dust
few from the lids of trunks and boxes whose
contents-stiff brocades, elinging muslins,
homespun gowns and curious fabrics still
breathing of the Orient whence they came
excited the amazement and delight of the
girls .e-
At last the leader of the party dragged
from q dusky corner a small, much worn
trunk, covered with horse hide and studded
with brass nails There was tantalizing
rustic of wrappings from within, but the
trunk resisted every effort at opening it,
at must be locked" cried Dolly, hot and
breathless.
How provokingr exclaimed Nell. II
wonder where's the keyT'
What key, dearf' asked voice from the
door, where stood a new conner.
"Oh, grandmamma, do please open this
for us7' cried the girls, seizing upon the little
lady, who, nothing loath, produced a bunch of
KEYS and seated herself before the old trunk
There was breathless pause as she lifted
the lid and took from its wrappings marvel
Gus gown Of old brocade. The girls spread
out its rich folds with cries Of admiration.
1t was of beautiful rose color, with tints
Of blue and other gorgeous hues that blended
in the harmony only produced by subtle
weavers of the east. Threads Of gold, out
lining a flower here and there, glttered
bravely in the lamplight as grandma smiled
over it.
WAS it yours, grandmammaf' asked
Dolly.
Eyes, dear" she answered, absently, bend
ing to lift small box from the trunk.
"Oh! tell us about when you wore it."
begged Nell; I'm sure it has story
Yes, it has, said grandmamma, thought
fully; land l have cause to remember it."
The girls seated themselves on trunks and
boxes and looked at her in delighted expecta
ton; for her stories were rare and much
priced Holding her hands upon the little
box she began:
MY life in this old house was quietly
happy. Until was 10 years old there was
no story to tell 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 l will call
p,trf H..1t tha,,,
were our nearest neghbors, though half a
mile distant. Sally and Polly Burton were
near my own age, and were my very dear
friends.
ION my eighteenth birthday I received
this brocade as present from my godfather
He was q sea captain, and had brought this
from the east on his last voyage. 1t wss con-
sidered wonderfully beautiful even there, so
you can imagine what a sensation it caused
here.
Mother rightly thought it far too fine for
me, and laid it away in this same little trunk
until should arrive at an age and dignity to
wear it. That time, in my opinion, came
when, the following winter, my friend Sally
was to be married and asked me to be one of
her four bridesmaids.
"Her fiance came of n fine old family, as
she did herself and scores of relatives were
expected to the wedding, which promised to
be grand and brilliant affair. Mother hes
itated to have the dress made; but girls then
wore much Older gowns than in these wiser
times, SO she finally consented, as l expected,
for of her six children 1 was the only girl,
and was INDUCED accordingly
III you would know how | looked, study
Dolly here. | had the same purple black
hair-which could never be kept in decorous
order, so curly was 1.-THE same pink cheeks
and creamy skin. But my eyes were black
instead of brown, and | was smaller than
shen
"Yes, and you had the loveiest hands and
feet ever SEEM" cried Fanny, las YOU have
now"
And I've heard grandpapa say that you
were the belle Of the county, and there was
many n broken heart when YOU married
him. laughed Nell
81 was II thoughtless girl" sighed grand
mamma, land caused deal Ct trouble by
my vanity, as you shall hear
We'll, the dress was made, and very proud
| was, AZ arrevrd ~ y .~r,,oA myself be-
fore the great mirror, and when the dress
maker assured me that no such face and
form had been reflected there since the days
of my great grandmother, a famous belle
dhu tcdutl, Was dlIlDst COuttUk.
"Almost--not quite For the gorgeous
gown put to shame any slippers that pos
sessed, and nothing would satisfy me but
new pair made Of the same material SO
next day my father rode to T., twenty
miles away, and ordered the slippers OF a
fashionable shoemaker, my brother agreeing
to call for them the following week
but that very night began storm of
snow and sleet which lasted four days, and
the roads were not open for travelling until
the day before the wedding. Then brother
John started ior T, with long list of
commissions from both families.
John said | standing at the door, If
you let anything happen TO my slippers, I'll
never forgive YOU
III be careful; run in he answered
AT noon the next day | was anxiously
watching the road, for the wedding was to
be at O O'Clock. and John had not yet re-
turned. But soon saw the sleigh drive up,
and rushed to the kitchen where John was
stamping the snow from his boots.
"'Ohl where are my slippersF cried, toss
ing over the parcels.
They're there, all right said John.
But I could not find them, so mother
came to my aid; but we hunted in vain.
John looked on In growing disnay and per-
plexity, but suddenly cried in a tone Of de-
spair: L have I'll l was to get them this
morning, as the man was out last night. but
rs l had 30 many other errands l forgot
Pm so sorry, dear, but it's too late to go
back
al burst into a storm Of tears, bewailing
MY disappointment and vowing that would
not 60 to the wedding in those old slippers
Turning just then | saw Guy Burton in the
doorway and fed to my room, where l
sobbed till tired out Soon heard a horses
feet on the ice, as Guy rode of, ard
thought angrily of standing up with him
that night in my old white satin slippers
Guy was Sally's only bro;her-older than
herself I had thought him cold and re-
served lately, though we had been good
friends in the days when he took me coasting.
But he had been at college for four years
and l had seen little Of him, except that
he always seemed to be about, book in hand,
during the last few weeks when l had been
to see the girls.
Mother came to console me, and by
O'Clock was in pleasanter frame of mind,
though painfully conscious of the old slip
pers, on which could not look with equa-
nimity
Arriving at the Burtons found the girls |
in great futter There was the usual num- |
l. - Al =