The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-01-23
Selected Storp.
The Brocaded Slipper.

a great, am garnet, Wnt re lne air was
sweet with mingled odors from drying
herbs hung from its ancient rafters.
The sunset-light family penetrated the
dusty space, glancing here and there
upon bit of glowing color in some
quaint gown that, Imply pendent, re-
tanned not q curve of the form it draped
in times gone by.
Beneath the caves, where floor and
rafters all but met, leaned rows of faded
portraits in dull, furnished frames.
The painted eyes rested on quaint
old cradle, tattered books, discarded
dolls, 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 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, clinging muslins, home
spun gowns and curious fabrics, still
breathing of the Orient, whence they
came-eXcited the amazement and de-
light of the girls.
AT last the leader of the party dragged
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
every effort at opening it.
cit must be locked" cried Dolly,
hot and breathless.
How provoking!" exclaimed Nell.
" wonder where's the key?"
"What key, dear?" asked voice
from behind the door, where stood a
newcomer.
"Oh, grandma! Do please open this
for u.s." cried the girls, selling upon
the little lady, who, nothing 10th, pro-
duced bunch of keys and seated her.
self before the old trunk.
There was breathless pause as she
lifted the lid and took from its wrap
pings 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 pro-
duced by subtle weavers 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 a small box from the
trunk.
ooh! tell US all about when you
wore it," begged Nell; Pm sure it
has a story"
eyes, it has," said grandmamma
thoughtfully, and have cause to re-
member 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:
Z" My life in this old house was quietly
happy; until | was nineteen years old
there was no story to tell of it. The
railroad was not then built, and people
travelled by stage-coach or staid at
home. Houses were few and scattered.
A family whom l will call Burton (lest
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-
ceived this brocade as a present from
my godfather. He was a 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
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 bridesmaids.
Her liance came of fine old family,
as she did herself, and scores of rela-
tives 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, so she finally consented,
as | expectation of her six children
was the only girl, and was INDUCED
accordingly.
If you would know how | looked
study Dolly here. | had the same pur-
ple-black hair-which could never be
kept in decorous order, so curly was it
the same pink cheeks and creamy skin.
But my eyes were black instead of
brown, and was smaller than she."
" Yes, and you had the loveliest
hands and feet ever seen,' cried Fanny
" as you have now"
And I've heard grandpa say that
you were the belle of the county, and
there were many broken heart when
you married him." laughed Nell.
6 1 was a thoughtless girl" sighed
grandmamma, "and caused deal of
trouble by my vanity, as you shall
hear.
We'll, the dress was made-and very
proud was as, arrayed in it, turned
myself before the great mirror; and
when the dressmaker assured me that
no such face and form had been re-
Elected there since the days of my great
grandmother, a famous belle and
beauty, was almost content.
Almost-not quite. For the gor-
geous gown nut to shame any SINNERS