The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-07-06


graduate my proud husband. That was
directly after our marriage l was
dressed then as prettily as my means
would allow, for having used my own
hard-earned money for my trousseau 1
thought had 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 the
rule. Jack was unfortunate in bust
ness and was compelled to be so eco
nomical that could purchase only the
plainest of dresses. AS time went on
things were worse; the family grew
larger and our income smaller; we were
forced sometimes to deny ourselves
substantial food. Uncle Dan must have
known how reduced VIC were, and al.
though he was Il wealthy man he
never rendered us the slightest assist
ance. On the contrary, he often
helped us to cat our last loaf of bread.
But we did not expect anything from
Uncle 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 con
siderable time ut our humble home, led
N' w pNittNC tlluU VIC WOulQ DC Tic
heirs to his vast wealth.
One day Uncle Dan surprised mo by
asking if would take n walk with
him. consented. Then he took me to
dressmaller's, who, without any or
ders from him at the time, cut to my
measure beautiful black silk dress
submitted, carefully hiding the aston
ishmcnt that felt. but when we left
the house questioned Uncle Dan as to
his reasons for presenting me with so
suitable gift. 81 want you to have
one decent dress" he said, testify,
and expect you always to keep it. DO
not part with it under any considera-
ton or shall never again mako you a
present. Now get through with the
trying on and when the thing is done
bring it home and talk no more about
it."
In 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 I felt that it was incompati-
BILE with our surroundings. Uncle Dan
always insisted on my wearing it Sum
day afternoons when he was around,
and thus l grew to hate the pretty
thing with its abundance of frills and
hounces
TO our intense relief the old man one
day decided to take trip to Europe for
his health. No sooner had he made
this startling announcement than re-
solved to sell that dress the moment
he had really gone. And did dispose
of it, realizing more for it than had
expected.
In six months Uncle Dan returned
more miserable than before and short
ly afterward died suddenly at our
house. Among his effects was found n
Will and we learned from this that he
had bequeathed all he possessed to
distant cousin, person without a fam
lily and one who already owned consid-
erablo property. My husband and
were sadly disappointed. Jack was
worn out from anxiety and overworll,
and we counted on something that
would ut least pay for the board and
lodging that Uncle Dan had taken at
our expense. The latter declared that
he had drawn up later will in our ia
vor. but as no other will could be found,
even though thorough search was in.
stituted. the property was turned over;
to a distant cousin.
A few weeks later lady called on,
me. AT first I did not recognize her,
but she proved to be the seamstress
who had made that black dress Don't