Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-11-24
TIE BROCADED SLIPPER.

A great dim garnet, where the air was
sweet with mingled odors from drying
herbs hung from its ancient rafters. The
sunset light family penetrated the dusty
space, CHANGING here and there upon bit
of glowing color in some quaint gown that,
Imply pendent, retained not curve of the
form it draped in times gone by.
Beneath the caves, where floor and raft
ers all but met, leaned rows of faded por-
traits in dull, furnished frames. The
painted eyes rested on quaint old cradle,
tattered books, discarded dolls, sled, a
battered rocking-horse, drum-forgotten
things that spoke of many generations that
had been born and lived and died beneath
that roof
There was noise upon the stairs, the
clink OF dainty modern heels, and group
of pretty girls invaded the garrett, seeking
amusement from its treasures. The dust
few from the lids of trunks and boxes.
whose contents-stiff brocades, clinging
muslin, homespun gowns and curious fab
RIGS still breathing of the Orient whence
they c2me-excited the amazement and
delight of the girls
At last the leader of the party dragged
from dusky corner small, much worn
trunk, covered with horse hide and
studded with brass nails. There was a
tantaliziDg rustic of wrappings from with
IN, but the trunk resisted every effort at
opening it.
" It must be locked" cried Dolly. hot
and breathless.
How provokingl" exclaimed Nell. At
wonder where's the key?"
What key, dear ?" asked voice from
behind the door, where stood new conner.
ooh, grandma. Do please open this for
u.s." cried the girls, Selling upon the little
lady, who, nothing 10th, produced bunch
of keys and seated herself before the old
trunk
There was a breathless pause as she
lifted the lid and took from its wrappings
a marvellous 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 weayers Of the East. Threads OF
gold, outlining flower here and there,
glittered bravely in the lamplight as
grandma 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 all about when you wore
it," begged Nell, 'Pm sure it has a story
ayes, it has" said grandmamma,
thoughtfully; "and l have cause to remem-
Der it"
The girls seated themselves on trunks
and boxes, and looked at her in delighted
expectation; for her stories were rare and
much priced. Holding her hands upon
the box, she began
"My life in this old house was quietly
happy; until / was nineteen years old
there was no story to tell of it. The rail-
road was not then built, and people tray
eled by stage coach or staid at home.
Houses were few and scattered. A family
whom ! will call Burton (lest you recog-
nize them too soon) were our nearest
neighbors, though half a mile distant.
Sally and Polly Burton were near my
own age, and were my very dear friends.
Son my eighteenth birthday received
this brocade as a present from my god
father. He was sea Captain, and had
brought this from the East on his last voy-
age. 1t was considered wonderfully beau
tiful 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 had, in my
opinion, come when, the following winter,
my friend Sally was to be married, and
asked me to be one of her four brides
maids.
"Her fiance came of fine old family,
and she did herself, and scores of relatives
were expected to the wedding, which
promised to be very grand and brilliant
affair. Mother hesitated to have the dress
made; but girls then wore much Older ,
gowns than in these wiser times, and she
finally consented, as l expected, for of her
SIX children | was the only girl, and was
INDUCED accordingly.
If you would know how / looked, study
Dolly here. had the same purple black
hair-which could never be kept in de-
corous order, so curly was 1.-THE same
pink cheeks and creamy skin. But my
eyes were black instead of brown, and I
was smaller than she7
O. Yes, and you had the loveliest hands
and feet ever seen," cried Fanny, as you
have now
And I've heard grandpapa say that
you were the belle of the county, and there
were many a broken heart when you mar
ried him" laughed Nell.
81 was thoughtless CIR" sighed grand
mamma, and caused deal of trouble by
my vanity, as YOU shall hear.
Well, the dress was made, and very
proud ! was, as arrayed in it / turned my
self before the great mirror; and when
the dressmaker assured me that no such
face and form had been reflected there
since the days of my great grandmother, a
famous belle and beauty, ! was almost con.
tent
"Almost-not quite. For the gorgeous
gown put to shame any slippers that /
possessed, and nothing would satisfy me
but new pair made of the same material.
So next day father rode to T, twenty
miles away, and ordered the slippers of a
fashionable shoemaker, my brother agree
ing to call for them the following week
But that very night began storm of
snow and sleet, which lasted for DAYS, and
the roads were not open for travel until
the day before the wedding. Then brother
John started for T., with a long list of
commissions for both families.
a. john said l, standing at the door, if
you let anything happen to my slippers,
I'll never forgive you
"sPll be careful, Fairy, run in he an
swered. They used to call me Fairy be-
cause was so light and small.
'At noon of the next day was anx-
iously watching the road, for the wedding
was to be at 6 o'clock, and John had not
returned. But soon | saw the sleigh drive
up, and | rushed to the kitchen, where
John was stamping the snow from his boots
"'Oh, where are my slippers p / cried,
tossing over the parcels.
"' They're there, all right said John.
But could not find them, so mother
came to my aid; but we hunted in vain.
John looked on in growing dismay and
perplexity, but suddenly cried in a tone of
despair | have it / was to get them
this morning, as the man was out last
night; but | had SO many other errands,
forgot. Pm so sorry, dear, but it's too
late to so back
at hurst into a Storm of tears haxxaiIino