Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-07-03
TOM, DICK AND HARRY.
BY ANNA SHIELDS.

am Toni Dick is my brother,
and we are the orphaned SONS of
Richard Hope, who went down with
the Saucy Jane with his wife and the
fortune he had made in California,
when we were bu six year, old. We
were twins, and ciinging to each other,
were picked up by passing steamer
and carried TO New York. | was old
enough to know and tell that We were
going TO visit our aunt, Mrs. Dresdale
of OakhiIl, aud kindly strangers saw
that we arrived there safely, forlorn
little orphan bcggars. But fresh mis-
fortune met lis, for our aunt Gied one
week after she gave us a fearful well
come.
We had no real claim upon Cyrus
Drcsdalc, being only his wife's
ncphcws, but out of his great generous
heart he gave us the place of sons in
his home. Dear Uncle Cy! Never
were boys made happier than he made
US for four years, sending us to school
and giving us every pleasure boys de
light in, and, above ALL such loving
companionship as few enjoy, even
with their own father
Then the change came. Uncle Cy
married again, and his wife could not
endure to have two great rude bows
about the house. Every day. every
hour, we committed some unpardon-
able ofiense, and found all pleasures
restricted. First, our ponies were
sold; then our rabbits and guinea-pigs
were killed; then We were moved
from our large, beautiful room to
miserable little attic where VIC baked
In simmer and froze in winter.
Unc'c Cyrus stood by us as far as
his quiet, peacc-loving disposition
allowed, but his new wife ruled with
rod of iron, AMI, at last, seeing we
could not please her, he sent us to
boarding school. IIomc-sick for
week, we were thoroughly happy af-
tcrward. and wanted for no pleasure
Uncle Cy could give us. | cannot
dwell too long on our boy-lifc, but
we, Dick and myself, can never for
get The Kindness of Uncle Cyrus Dres-
dale. We came to OakLlll sometimes
for brief holiday, and this brings
me TO Harry.
Harriet Drcsdale was the only child
of our dear Uncle Cyrus, and was
born just one year after his second
marriage. 1t was uncle himself who
gave her her nickname, greatly to
Mrs. Drcsdale's disgust, but, as he
said:
"Really, my dear, must complete
tho trio, Tom, Dick and Harry"
We were twenty-onc years of age
when Uncle Cyrus took us into his
study one morning and made brief
speech that | shall never forget.
"My de.r.b0ysao'. ha said, .for You
are as dear to me as sons, and have
made me proud of you many times,
| must send YOU away once more.
We will not talk about the reason, but
you know it is not because | do not
love you. You have good education,
good morals, and am not afraid to
trust You. You, Tom, will practice
your profession, and Dick can go into
business, since he wishes it; but YOU
will each find ten thousand dollars in
the C Bank that is your own. 1t
will keep you from want until you
make more by your own talents and
eXcriions. Con sometimes to see
me; do not forget that love YOU"
He broke down there and we hung
about him as if we were still little
boys, full of love and gratitude, and
kccnly aware of the cruelty of separ-
ating us from him.
OF TO the great city, where Dick
opened drug store and ! put out
doctors sign. We had both studied
medicine, but Dick would not practice.
His was delicate, sensitive nature,
most unlike my own, and he could
not bear the sight of suffering. We
were unlike in all things, and no one
~oIf1i aavc gaessed NC were twins. /
was tall, strong and dark, not in the
least handsome. Dick was slender
and fair, with rare beauty of face
and a gentleness that was almost
womanly.
We had been seven years in the ci
and once more were at home at Oak
NH, Wnen we could spare vacation,
for Mrs. Dresdale was dead. There
was nothing said, there could not be,
but we knew that we were welcome.
and we stole many a day to run down
TO visit dear Uncle Cyrus, and, it must
be told, fell in love with Harry. Can
/ make you see her, this cousin who
was not our cousin? Brown, curling
hair shaded face of pure oval shape
with delicate, regular features. Great
blue eyes, soft, wistful, innocent as
babes, lighted her beauty, aud her
smiles displayed perfect teeth. She
was not tall, but her figure was grace