The Osceola times., 1888-06-02
"FAIRY'S SLIPPERS"
Grandmother's Story Of Her
Younger Days.

A great dim garret, where the air
was sweet with mingled odors from
drying herbs hung from its an
cient rafters. The sunset light family
penetrated tho dusky space, glancing
here and there upon bit of CLOWN g
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. tarnishcd
frames The painted eyes rested on a
quaint old cradle. tattered books, dis
carded dolls, sled, battered rock
ing-horse, drum-forgotten things
that spoke of many generations that
had been born and lived and died be-
meath that roof.
There was a noise upon the stairs,
The click of dainty modern heels, and
group of pretty girls invaded the gar
ret, seeking amusement from its treas
nres. 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-cXcited the amazement
and delight of the girls.
At last the leader of the party drag
gcd from q dusky corner a small,
much-worn trunk, covered with horse
liIn ap1 ut,,IInI ,,,;tI
There was tantalizing rustic of
wrappngs from within, but the trunk
resisted every effort at opening it.
at must be locked" cried Dolly,
hot and breathless.
How provoking" exclaimed Nell.
al wonder where's the key"
What key. dear?" asked n voice
from the door, where stood a new
conner.
"Oh, grandmamma! Do please open
this for us!" cried the girls, seizing
upon the little lady, who, nothing 10th,
produced bunch of keys and seated
herself before the old trunk.
There was breathless pause rs she
lifted the lid, and took from its wrap
pings marvellous gown of old bro
cadc. The girls spread out its rich
folds, with cries OF admiration.
L was of 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 flower
here and there, glittered braycly in tho
lamplight as grandmamma smiled over
It,
WAS it yours, grandmamma"
asked Dolly.
"Yes, dear" she answered absently,
bending to lift small box from the
trunk.
''Oh! tell us about when you wore
It, begged Nell, I'm sure it has
story"
"fes. it has," said gradmamma
'houghtfully; 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 stories
were rare and much priced. Holding
hcr hands upon the little box she
began:
MY life in this old house was quietly
happy; until l was nineteen years old
'here was no story to tell of it. The
railroad was not then built, and people
travelled by stage-coach or stayed at
nome. Houses were few and scattered.
a family whom will call Burton Qest
you recognize them too soon 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, l re-
cclvcd this brocade as present from
my godfather. He was sca-captain,
ana had brought this from the East on
ms last voyage. 1t was considered
wonderfully beautiful even there, so
you can imagine what sensation it
caused here
Mother rightly thought Il far too
hne for me. and laid It away In this
same little trunk until ! should arrive