Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-10-24
have died If it hadn't been for you two

"HallOw CALCULATED Mr.. Zadoc John
son, as Beatrice opened the door of the
little family sitting-room at that mo-
ment. "Hsl-lol Where on earth did
you get that cabinet of teakwood"
"We bought it at the second hand
store, said Beatrice. 'Isn't it beauti-
full"
ats minel" said Zadoc johnson.
"How can it be yours" Indignantly
cross-q questioned Bee, "when bought it
and paid for it, my very own selfl"
"This is very strange" said zadoc.,
''I think so, too" said Beatrice.
And then Mrs. Field came in, and the
eccentric old gentleman was presented to
her.
Madam" said Mr.. johnson, II
thank you and your daughter for your
kindness to my cousin Benjamin Bur-
ton"
Mrs. Field colored, and grew pale, as
shy as a girl, as she murmured word or
two of acknowledgment.
'sIt is my belief" said zadoc, "tbat
your attention and care have saved his
life"
And then, abruptly dismissing the sub
ject, he walked up to the old cabinet,
opened its doors, shifted its sweet, faint
scent, and turning to Bee, he demanded:
"What will you sell me this piece of
furniture forl"
"It isn't for sale, =" said Bee, almost
ready to cry. "It is my birthday gift to
mamma"
"Well, well, little girl, don't fret"
said Mr.. Johnson, goOd-humoredly.
''It used to belong to me, and I've rather
notion for it. But you shall not be
teased if you don't choose to part with
it. Good-by, ma'am. GoOd-by, little
girl"
And with this cheerful leave-taking
he departed.
Mrs. Minden was elegantly dressed in
heliotrope-colored satin aud Chantilly
lace, when Uncle zadoc presented him
self. 1t was her cat home" day, and she
took pride in her toilets. But when, in
stead of General de Limos, or Mr.. Bonne
feuilles, or any other of those glasses of
fashion and molds of form, Uncle Zadoc
johnson made his appearance, she turned
pale.
"Good-day, Niece Amelia" said the
eccentric old gentleman. "Ive come to
look at my teakwood cabinet"
"Its sent away to be mended," gasped
Mrs. Minden.
"That's falsehood" said Uncle "a
doc. "You felt yourself too fine to be
hampered with my old-fashioned furni-
ture, and you sold it to the old dealer,
lockwood, for five dollars. Love me,
love my dog, says the prOverb. Love
me, love my old cabinet, say I. I dare
I'm not good enough for you, now you've
GROWN TO be such an elegant city lady;
so good-by"
Out walked Uncle Zadcc, before Mrs.
Minden could collect her senses to stay
him.
What curious whim urged the old
bachelor no one ever knew, but instead
of retaining his luxurious quarters at the
St. Barbe Hotel, Mr.. Johnson engaged
room in the tenement house where his
second cousin, Captain Ben Burton,
lived.
81 like the kind of people meet
here" said be, briefly.
And at the end of a month he pre-
sented himself before Mrs. Field.
"Madam," said he, 81 like you.
What is more, l respect you. wantmy
old cabinet, aud should like to have a
fathers right in yo-r little Beatrice. We
are neither of US young, but there's moth
ing to prevent our being happy. Will
you marry mep
Mrs. Field looked really pretty as the
pink bushes mantled her delicate face.
"Oh, Mr.. Johnsonl" said she. 81
can hardly believe you mean it."
"seud for parson, ma'am, and you
will soon find out whether do or not"
said Zadoc johnson.
So they were quietly married, to Bees
infinite delight.
''Hes just the sort of step-father
should like" said she, gleefully.
Once welded, old zadoc Johnson took
an elegant house, furnished it in princely
fashion, set the teakwood cabinet in the
best parior, and invited Captain Ben
Burton to live with them always. Mrs.
Zadoc johnson was serenely happy, and
Beatrice exultant. As for the Captain,
he chuckled.
"Zadoc Johuson never did do any
thing by halves" said he.
And when Mr.. Minden saw the notice
of the marriage in the daily papers, he
swore prodigious imprecatiOn.
'It's all your fault, Amelia" said he.
"If you never had sold that teakwood /
cabinet, all this wouldn't have hap |
pened"
"You always did lay the blame OF
everything on mel" whimPered Mrs.
Minden. Tie Ledger.