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

tears to my eyes. He had been watch
ing me after all, while / sometimes half
fancied him oblivious of my existence.
At the moment | was too confused to
do more than thank him and gather up
in dazed way the pamphlets he placed
before me. He put the little key that
dangled from the tin box into the lock,
and disclosed to me the parchment Sc
curities within.
Carefully managed, that ought to
yield you six per cent. net, said he.
"But what am | to do with SO much
money every year." cried aghast.
My father laughed, and said: "That
is for you to decide, Virginia. You will
learn only too soon the part that money
plays in the world" he added gravely.
Prepare yourself to be courted and
fattered for its sake. Some people would
say, DO not destroy her faith in human
nature. She will learn the truth soon
enough believe that to be forewarned
is to be forearmed. Good and true men
are abundant, but there are inscriptions
and mercenary ones as well, who will
WOO you for the sake of your fortune and
not because they love you.
Zone word more" said he, without
regard to the expression of pain that
overspread my face at his last speech.
"Do not be afraid to use your money.
Avoid foolish extravaganza, but learn to
enjoy life and the blessings at your dis
posal. 1t used 10 be considered wrong
by our forefathers to surround them
selves with beautiful things and any
but the simplest comforts. Some people
are of that opinion still, but do not
will be the best criterion of what is I'M
duly ostentatious, but never hesitate to
have anything you may wish because
you fear the verdict of others. In short,
be independent, and think for yourself
if you wish to be happy. Your Aunt
Helen has undertaken the charge of
your wardrobe; that is something of
which | know nothing. can tell when
young lady is well dressed, but l am
not capable of selecting her dresses.
Here, however" he said, taking the
plush covered case from the table, sis
something that will make your toilet
more complete.
started with delight on raising the
lid to discover superb necklace of the
largest pearls. Under the impulse OF
the moment | flung my arms about my
fathers neck and kissed him. He
seemed touched by my impetuosity, and
stood for a moment with my head be-
tween his hands looking into my eyes.
81 believe you have in you the making
of noble woman, my dear" he sale
proudly. 'You have your mothers
sweet disposition, and also think my
fxity of purpose"
lay awake that night for hours. L
seemed to me that | had grown fv'
years older in single day, and felt {
new responsibility in living. My fathers
trust and generosity had stirred M
deeply, and made many a solemn vow
not to prove unworthy of such conf
! dence. But athwart the satisfaction
| these thoughts inspired, rose the recol
| lection of what he had said regarding
the insincerity of men. | had of course
read in novels of fortune hunters, blu
no suspicion of their existence within
the pale of the polite society of which
was SO soon to form a part had eve
marred the rosy simplicity of my i'm
agination. This was my first peep a
the worlds wickedness, and it shocked
me to think that human nature could bs
so base.
had seen but little of my Aunt Agne
during the autumn, perhaps because
more than half suspected she did no
sympathize with the plans and prepare
tons for my social education. remem
bered some years before, at the tim
when the question of my attendin;
dancing school was being debated, t,
have heard her express disapproval o
girls who frittered away their time ant
health in the pursuit Of what she called
"vain pleasures" had not converset
with her on the subject, but had oh
tanned an intimation from her short ant
acrid manner on the one or two occa
slons when we had met of late that sh
was quite aware of what was going ON
and condemned it unequivocally.
Although knew that Aunt Agnes wa
very fond of me, and in turn loved ant
respected her, she was apt to inspire M
with awe even on ordinary occasions
Her character was as upright as he.
figure, which, in defiance of the relaxed
customs of the day, was always arrayet
against straight backed chair. Con
ventionalities of every sort were al
abomination to her. Black silk was thu
| full extent Of her condescension il
the matter of what she was pleased
to call Babylonian attire, and she had NJ
patience with the ordinary vanities O.
| her sex.
She received me frostily when I went
to visit her a few days after the CONVEX.
sation with my father, and suffered me
to kiss both her cheeks in turn without
evincing sign of being Modified. Re
membering that she was fond of direct
ness, l opened fire at once by observing
that was invited to ball at Mrs. Dale's
a week hence.
"All girls are FOOLS" she answered alb
ruptly, after moment. l bowed my
head submissively and awaited the
storm.
81 expected better things of you, Vir.
ginia," she continued ST hoped you
were too sensible to follow the herd, and
waste the best years of your life in
folly"
r f..