The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-11-11
UNCLE DAMS PRESENT.


quaintance Uncle Dan seemed to dislike
me. You know he was Jacks own
uncle and when 1 was introduced as
his nephew's wife he took my hand
gingerly, muttered something about q
butterfly and refused to congratulate
my proud husband. That was directly
after our marriage. I was dressed then
as prettily as my means would allow,
for having used my own hard-carned
money for my trouseau ] thought l had
n right to wear the gay things that
Uncle Dan appeared to scorn.
But the strongest material will wear
out, and mine was no exception to tho
rule. Jack was unfortunate in business
and was compelled to be so economi-
cal that 1 could purchase only the plain
est Of dresses. AS time went on things
were worse the family grew larger and
our income smaller; we wero forced
sometimes to deny ourselves substantial
food Uncle Dan must have known
how reduced we were, and, although he
was a wealthy man, he never rendered
us the slightest assistance. On the con-
trary, he often helped us to eat our last
loaf of bread. But we did not expect
anything from Unclo Dan while he
lived We knew that he loved to hoard
his gold Yet the fact that we were his
nearest kin, coupled with the one that
he spent considerable time at our hum
BILE home, led us to believe that we
would be the heirs to his vast wealth.
One day Uncle Dan surprised me by
asking if I would take walk with him.
/ consented. Then he took me to O
dressmaker's, who, without any orders
from him at the time, cut to my meas
ure beautiful black silk dress. sub
mitted, carefully hiding the astonish-
ment that felt but when we left the
house l questioned Uncle Dan as to his
reason for presenting me with so suit
able gift. Il want you to have one
decent DRESS" he said, testify, land
expect you always to keep it. Do not
part with it under any consideration or
Ishall never again make you present.
Now get through with the trying on, and
when the thing is done bring it home
and talk no more about it.
In a few days the dress was finished
and was really very handsome Had it
come in happier times should have re-
joiced in its possession. As it was Jack
and felt that it was incompatible with
cur surroundings. Uncle Dan always
insisted on my wearing it on Sunday
afternoons when he was around, and
thus l grew to hate the pretty thing
with its abundance of frills and foun-
ces.
To our intense relief the old man one
day decided to take a trip to Europe for
his health. No sooner had he made this
startling announcement than / resolved
10 sell that dress the moment he had
really gone. And did dispose of it,
realizing more for it than I had ex-
pected.
In six months Uncle Dan returned
more miserable than before, and shortly
afterwards died suddenly at our house.
Among his effects was found will, and
ve learned from this that he had be-
queathed all he possessed to distant
cousin, q person without family and
who already owned considerable prop.
erty. My husband and I were sadly
disappointed. Jack was worn ont from
anxiety and overwork, and we counted
on something that would at least pay
for the board and lodging that Uncle
Dan had taken at our expense. The
latter declared that he had drawn up a
later will in our favor, but as no other
will could be found, even though q
thorough search was instituted the
property was turned over to a distant
cousin.
A few weeks later lady called on
me. At first 1 did not recognize her,
but she proved to be the seamstress who
had made that black dress.
Don't you remember the dress I
made for you ?" she asked excitedly.
well, that later viii is sewn up in the
drspery. He got mo to do it for him
and made me promise not to tell You
while he lived. He said if you cared
anything about him you would never
part with the only thing he ever gave
You. If you did you would be the loser
thereby.
Imagine my feelir~s The dress had
been sold to dealer in second hand
clothing and was now probably beyond
my reach. took the lady into my
confidence, bound her to secrecy and
hastened to the shop in which had left
the silk dress. 1t had been sold and to
whom the dealer could not remember.
had nothing to do but to hope that
the purchaser was an honest person who
would find the will and restore it to me.
How distinctly / now remembered that
Incle Dan had charged me not to part
with the dress and how bitterly / re-
pented my disobedience.
Months passed on, and though Gag
erly examined every black silk presented
to my gaze, failed to come into con-
tact with the one for which longed.
In the mean time Jacks health had
grown so poor that he was unable to do
stroke of work, and / was taking in
plain sewing for our support His eyes
would Fill with tears when he saw me
thus engaged, and my CHEEKY; Never
mind, well find that dress yet, DEAR"
only half comforted him.
ftap bi1n r