The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-02

struck bargain after some chaffering,
and when had paid my money and taken
my purchase in hand, the odd being dou-
bled up into silent fit of laughter, which
shook the tassel Of his fez Ike mad. i
was still examining the cane and had Just
discovered on it cloud mark which pre-
scented startling likeness to grotesque
face-yes-the face, moreover, before me
that instant, contorted by malicious laugh
ter-why malicious laughter, why laughter,
who could say?
When say that the elderly gentleman
for whom the cane was bought was my
uncle, the uncle also by marriage OF the
girl wished to marry, and that long
promised inheritance from him was the
only prospect / had in view beyond my
profession, the conclusion that my little
offering was prompted purely by self-in-
terest might be natural conclusion
to draw, but Il would not be true
one. had been fond Of the good old
fellow from the time when / was half
starved youngster at well-known board.
ing-school for would-be naval cadets and
he had tipped me many a half-crown. !
am sometimes inclined to think that half
crowns positively are not what they were
in those days, and when l am told that
silver is too cheap just now am sure that it
is fact.
had the cane mounted in solid silver
gilt and looked it over proudly when it
came home.
packed IL carefully and sent II off with
a note to my dear old uncle. An answer
would come, was sure, by return OF post,
and was fully convinced that the cane
would have given much pleasure.
Picture my dismay and sorrow, then,
when on the very next day came tele-
gram from doctor well known to me, an
nouncing the sudden death Of the appar-
| emily hale old gentleman He had been,
rs | knew aiterward, delighted with my
present-had handled it with hearty ap-
probation, and was actually writing his
acknowledgment TO Inc when he had fallen
with his head on the desk, dead man.
/ put away the half written letter as q
memento OF a valued friend and attended
the funeral as chief mourner.
His lawyer, who was an old acquaintance
Of mine, met Inc with a very long face. II
must tell you" he said, "that your. uncle
had the very common fancy OF putting of
making his will, and had only done 80 on
the day OF his death. Even then
he would not sign ii at once on the pre-
|
have were not at hand. i was 10 come al
0 o'clock that evening. did so, and II
was too late. II was in your favor, as lac
had always promised 1t should be-"
wis considerably taken aback. "Thal
means" | said, that all his property will
be divided between his fifteen nephews
and nieces."
"No," he answered gloomily. at goes
| L.. 10 iNi nf
brother and sister, the two who behaved
so badly TO him."
sat down rather abruptly There
then, is an end OF it all, )" l said, as
thought OF Marion.
The Malacca cane was the only belong
ing OF my good uncle that fell TO my shar,
nobody wanted II.
Some time afterward, while was still
waiting for an appointment, which was N
coy in answer TO my wooing as such mat
tiers usually are, q friend looked In will
evidence OF some other object in view thar
merely TO smoke a pipe with me and e
complain OF the service.
II say. old chap" he began, "you nc
member showing that queer stick OF youn
TO old lIadley the other day, and what l
fancy he took 10 IL? Well, he's going e
be marricd-funny affair-said II was tint
he had some one 10 write TO when he wa
away and 10 keep snug home for hin
when lac came back, 80 he went abou
with q list Of suitable women in his poke
and has struck the bargain at last with I
widow-rather good sort Now, lintenC
making him wedding present, so wan
you TO let me have that cane"
Well, | sold him the stick-thnt IL,
changed IL for some cigars OF brand
fancied, and my friend carried II of.
looked out for Hadley's wedding bu
very shortly after 10 my regret, camI
upon notice OF his death instead.
IL seemed that upon the very day mn
friend had himself called and prcsente,
the Malacca cane, he had been seized will
a sort OF III, from which he died after lin
, gering a few days.
Nv friend returned the cane to me. 81
seems rather an unlucky gift" he 70
= marked. thought tho sane, and put !
! by, but some time later, on going out 4
/ South America, took II with me, thinking
! | would use Il myself.
| went inland 10 spend couple OF day
, with very old friend who was working al
, estate. lie had two sons just growing al
! with him, an agreeable wife and prett,
( daughter. | iancied the latter was some
, what like my Marion: ut any rate she sang
/ 30 did Marion. and they both had cockl,
| sort OF light hair, aud | am sure that thos
were my reasons for the tender feeling
, experienced when was In her company
/ | quito forgot her aitcrward. That cam
was like very pretty woman-it could no
! 20 anywhere without attracting attention
r MY host wns completely fascinated witt
, II. look here, llodson," he said, "I'l
J give you what you like for that Malarca
rs hit my fancy. DO you set any specia
value upon it?''
"No, answered; land yet don't par
| iicalaIly want TO part with II; It's carries
! III luck hitherto"
My host laughed this TO scorn, and sooI
! aiterward Maron--no, ! mean Kitty
J really was beginning TO mix up the tw'
: giris-bcggcd me 10 let her papa have tn
cane, for lie had set his heart upon Il. o
: course Il would have been grossly rude 4
/ refuse pair Of blue eyes such q simple
J request, and asked 10 be allowed 10 maxi
Il present lie would not hear Of this
; and gave me In exchange for II q curiou
! old hunting knife.
! was bound mp the river, and on m,
! return month later found, 10 my mex
! prcssblc CONSERVATION, the cane itsel
! awaiting me, with pitcous letter iron
Z poor darling Mari mean Kitty--tellinl
/. Inc that the very day left their house he
, dear papa had been seized with some fcye
OF n kind they did not understand, haS
! rapidly sunk under u and died. That hap
py hospitablc home | could not pick al
my spirits after the news for At least thre'
ma.la