Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-08-19
UNCLE JoEEs WEDDING GIFT.

swell? if you do, I won't take care
of your wedding presents y concluded
Nina, painting under the heavy box
she had carried upstairs.
Rosa and Harry Werner were
married in an hour. They were up
stairs now, waiting for the summons
to appear in the parlor, and a few
moments after the ceremony (they
were going down in their travelling
suits), were to start upon six weeks
bridal trip.
Harry came promptly forward to
relieve his sister-in- law elect of her
burden, saying;
"Why, Nina, why didn't you let
some one else bring this up?'
didn't see anybody handy" retur-
ed Nina. "Do open it, and let's see
what it is. The front chamber is fill
ed with your wedding gifts now. I
don't know what you can want with
anything more. Where's this from
anyhow. 1t came by express"
"Bentonville, Mass. p read Harry,
bending over to see the address. ooh.
Rosa, this is from that queer old uncle
of mine, who was here last month.
He took fancy to you, and although
eccentric, he is quite wealthy, and
could send you a very handsome gift
if he choose, l hope he has done so !"
Dear me! l wonder what it can
be2' cried Rosa, her pretty face all
aglow with interest, while Nina could
hardly restrain her curiosity until
Harry had cut the cords and removed
the cover of the box.
As soon as he had done so, the ex.
preston of every face in the group
underwent an instant change.
"By George" was Harry's ex-
clamation, as he took out large and |
evidently old book. bound in heavy
brown leather, the edges of its leaves
quite yellow with age, and strongly |
smelling of old leather.
"In the name of the commonwealth,
what is it" cried Nina. "a scrap
book ?"
Seems to be- returned Harry,
dryly as he opened the old book and
caressly turned few of the leaves.
They were all pasted over with ancient
wood-cuts, and closely printed col.
umns, proving that the huge volume
was really what Harry decided, an
old scrap-book.
swell! if this isn't beautiful we'd
ding PRESENT." cried Nina, her eyes
sparkling with Indignation.
ats too bad of Uncle Joel I" said
Harry, with. intense vexation in his
tones. Better throw the thing into
the trash-pile, Rosa %
"What is this ?" asked Rosa, pick.
ing up a small folded paper which lay
just under the cover of the old book
"A letter-from uncle, Harry. Read
it, please"
Harry took the paper from her hand
and read:
DEAR HARRY AND ROSE PLEASE
accept, as the old mans offering on
your wedding-day, this old book
and its contents. 1t was first given to
your grandmother upon her wedding
day, then to your mother, my boy,
upon hers. 1t brought good luck to
both of them, and now in like manner
it comes to you. trust you may treas.
ure it as they did, and that il will
bring the same blessing to you as to
them. 1t may not make as fine show
as some of your wedding-gifts. But
tell your Rosa, my dear boy, that if
she will amuse herself some lonely even.
ing by looking over the old scrap
book, it may prove more interesting
inside than out. At least cherish it
for the sake of the family, and with
it take the best wishes of your uncle,
JOEL WHITAKER"
NONSENSE said Harry, as he
threw down the note. II didn't think
Uncle Joel would serve me such a
trick Throw it away, Ninal"
mo, you shall not" said Rosa,
soberly. ave will keep it, as he says.
Harry, for. the sake Of your dead and
gone relatives. Perhaps there may
be something in its bringing good
luck" And she closed the old book
almost reverently.
"You superstitious babyl" returned
Harry, laughing. "But keep it, of
course, if you will. l was only little
disappointed for your sake, that Uncle
Joel's gift wasn't worth more. For
myself, don't care whether he gives
anything or not"
"Well. neither do Iw answered
Rosa, "But as he has sent it, why,
we'll keep il, and I'll write nice little
note of thanks.