The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-07-31

Here is something that GUiH make yotW
toilet more complete.
Miss jerks went away in October, and
a few days later Aunt Helen preached
the subject of preparations for the win
ter. was to go into society and she
had taken upon her shoulders the burden
of having me we'll dressed and present
able" as she called it. My clothes, or
dered from Paris, were at her house, and
she took even more pleasure than In
studying their effect when tried on and
in selecting from my mothers jewelry
the most appropriate articles for my
toilet. There were certain trinkets among
them which she told me were all the
rage, and she concluded with homily
that was very fortunate to be able to
have such expensive things to wear, and
that many girls had TO be content with
two ball dresses or. in some instances,
with one. | was glad to put myself en-
tirely in her hands, for felt that she
knew about such matters. My own SEN
sations were mixture OF timidity. be-
wilderment and exultation
One evening a short tim" previous to
OiiS ~'SSo VI WY ." @OeNSS-- A'AS
fatheE turned to me ana sand:
There is something wish to tell you.
Virginia have recently made my will
With the exception of a few iegacies for
charitable uses and bequast to each Of
your aunts have left everything to you
Very likely it may be a surprise to you
to hear that you will be very rich. 1t is
proper and right you should know it
now, just as it was important you should
remain in ignorance of the fact during
childhood | have requested hitherto
your aunts and your governess to make
no illusions to your future prospects. Ii
| am not mistaken you learn the truth
from me for the first time"
He paused as if expecting an answer.
eyes, it has never occurred to me to
inquire about the future" said |. 81
knew that we lived in comfort Beyond
that have not thought on the subject"
''It is as | supposed" said my father.
"Unless see reason to alter the present
distribution of my property, you will be
one of the richest women in town.
When you were child, Virginia, I felt
badly at times that you were not a boy;
I wanted son to inherit my name and
fortune. But one dayit occurred to me
that though daughter could not make
money, she might learn to spend it as
well as son. The thought comforted
me; for l have made all the money we
can need for many generations to come,
and my only desire is that when | am
gone there shall be some one to use it as
I would like. There is an idea, | know,
that women are not fitted to comprehend
the value of money, and that it is I'M
wise to give them the control of large
sums. However correct that may be,
the tendency of all modern legislation
shows that the world is in favor of their
administering their own affairs. At any
rate, propose to make the experiment.
Unless you convince me beforehand that
| am mistaken, | shall leave you at my
death the mistress of over three million
dollars"
While was trying to form a definite
idea of so much wealth my father rose,
and going to side table took up a large
tin box, on the top of which lay plush
covered case and pile of pamphlets.
SIN this trunk" he said, ''you will
find one hundred thousand dollars in
first rate securities registered in your
name. | want you to learn, SO far as is
possible for woman, the care of prop
erty. These newspapers and reports will
help you somewhat. [ shall be glad to
answer all your questions, and will keep
you supplied with the latest intelligence
relating to your property, for give you
these stocks and bonds to use as you see
fit. You will find check book and
bank book inside. One must learn to
appreciate the value of money in order
to use it well. would not advise you
to change your investments at first with
out consulting me. You must expect to
make mistakes at the outset, but have