Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-04-07
poIaries.

Miss jerks went away III October, and
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 well dressed and present
able" as She called 1t. Ny 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 We're certain trirkets among
them which she told me We're all the
rage, and she concluded with a 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 sem
sations were a mixture of timidity, be-
wilderIneut ana eXultatiOn.
One evening a short time previous to
the beginning Of the gay season my
father turned to me and sald
There is something | wish to tell you,
Virginia. have recently made my will.
With the exception of a few legacies for
charitable Uses and bequest to each of
your aunts have left everything TO you.
Very likely it may be Il surprise to you
to hear that YOU will be very rich. 1t is
proper and right you should know 1t
now, Just as it was important you should
remain in ignorance of the fact during
childhood, | have requested hitherto
your aunts and your goyerness to make
no illusions to your future prospects. If
| am not mistaken you learn the truth
from me for the first time"
He paused as il expecting ar answer.
Yes, it has never occurred to me to
inquire about the future said l. 81
knew that We lived in comfort. Beyond
that have not thought on the subject"
st 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 i'll town
When you were child, Virginia, felt
! badly at times that You We're not a boy;
| | wanted IA son to inherit my name and
/ fortune, But one day occurred to me
! that though daughter could not make
money, she might learn to spend it as
} well as a son. The thought comforted
me; for | 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
| 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 INV
death the mistress Of over three million
dollars"
While | was trying to form definite
idea of so much wealth my father rose,
and going to a side table took up large
tin box, on the top of which lay plush
covered case and pile Of pamphlets.
"in 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 a woman, the care of prop
erty. These newspapers and reports vii
help you somewhat | shall be glad tC
answer all your questions, and will keer
you supplied with the latest Intelligence
relating to your property, for give you
these stocks and bonds to use as you SET
fit. You will find check book and
bank book inside One must learn h
appreciate the value Of money in order
to use it web. | would not advise yor
to change your investments at first with
out consulting me- You must expect t.
make mistakes at the outset. but hay,