Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-06-09

pride Of her soul for nearly forty years.
They had been given to her by her hus-
band 70 commemorate the birth Of their
first child. When misfortune came TO
them-when the plantation had to be
mortgaged-her husband had refused
to listen to her faltering suggestion:
s'S'pose we sell the diamonds"
''Not II 1 know it! Not bit OF It, -"
\ he had answered stOutly. "They shall
be 3 neSt-egg for YOU"
That had been forty years ago. The
mortgage had been lifted, i've sturdy
sons brought to manhood, and one smart
daughter to the age OF seventeen. Then
the good husband had been called to
higher life and Harriet cherished her
diamonds more than ever for his sake.
The one sweet daughter was making
up her mind to get married. Money
was not too plentiful about the place
that year, and Harriet had some dill
4 Guilty In getting together the necessary
? articles for her dear Minnie's trousSeau.
Miss Minnie's afiianced was prominent
business man Of Baton Rouge, and her
mother was determined that she should
NOT blush because Of "her things" so
without consulting any one the dear
soul decided to sell her diamonds.
She took a week 20 "turn 10 over In
her mind When, one morning, she
announced to her family that she was
Ugoing 10 the city to get Min some
things" she caused most decided SEN
sation. eve got money enough TO pay
nv way, and I shall stay with Mary, ="
she said.
Mary was a schOOlmate Of hers who
had given her a standing invitation TO
visit her in New Orleans.
This going 70 New Orleans was really
a wonderful event in Harriet Lanes
life. She had never been there but once
on her wedding trip.
When the steamboat came putting up
TO the landing Harriet's heart almost
failed her. But she clutched her black
bar and drew one long breath which
lasted till she had crossed the stage
plank.
That night she did not sleep; she
feared she would be robbed. The next
afternoon she reached the city, aud her
friend came down 10 the boat 20 meet
her. In the course Of the evening she
confded the object of her trip 70 her
dear Mary. She displayed the diamonds
the earrings set 10 clusters of twelve
stones; the breastpin, crOSs-shaped,
having twice the number, and the
bracelets, cash a slender golden serpent
with diamond eyes. She grew eloquent
her face became yOunger-the little
stOOD To her shoulders almost disap-
peared.
The first time wore them" she
said, in the dreamy way old women have
when they tell of what happened when
they were young, was at Abe's chris
teniug, and how the church folks did
stare! Then l had them on at Sis Louis
wedding. The people looked at 'em
morn they did at the bridew
She sighed as she added:
If pa was alive l wouldn't be selling
'em now. But Min needs more things
than the place can afford to give her!"
- Then HARRIET questioned eagerly the
price Of goods, etc. What would
good silk dress cost? Min just must
have Onel
What do you think I should ask for
my dlamOnds?" she said, after every
lhing else had been dismissed. ''Pa
gave $500 for them"
"You won't get as much" answered
her friend quickly. She had looked at
the stones carefully.
"Well, III make myself satisfied with
500, " returned Harriet.
That night the mother saw Minnie in
her dreams wearing blue silk dress.
The next day was spent in sightseeing.
New Orleans had changed so in forty
years.
The second day Mary took her guest
TO the stores and she had a "gOod look
at things" finding out their prices, etc.
just as they were about 10 take the
cars Mary suggested that her dear Har-
riet should stop az GriSwold's and see
what valuation he would put on the dia-
mOnds; of course Harriet had them
with her.
The polite salesman called the pro-
prietOr OF the store.
He examined them carefully.
Where did you buy theSe?" be asked
at length.
''Pa-that is, my husbsnd-got them
in Baton Rouge aud he paid $500 for
them" answered Harriet Lane, proud
ly.
"Then he was outrageOuslys windled,
said Mr. Griswold.
For moment Harriet thought he was
joking. Then she grew wrathiul, and
snatching the jewels from him, she
rushed out Of the store.
That man must be crazy, or he Is
thief, she said TO Mary,
I'VE will try the other stores" an
swered her friend, SoOthingly. But
alas, everybody was Of Mr.. GriswOld's
opinion.
''Let US go home" said Mary. Poor
Harriet's face was so pinched and gray
looking.
Later Mary advised her to sell the set
for old gold, but Harriet only shook her
head The daY following she went
home. Mary insisted on paying her
passage and sending Minnie the blue
silk dress and several other things the
diamonds were % have paid for.
Harriet put her diamonds back into
their case. She never told her children
their secret. Often she would look at
them. They glistened as brightly as
ever. Perhaps she wished that they
were real after all.
When she was dying. years later,
Minnie heard her mutter: TEL Min
% keep the diamonds. Tell her she
must never sell 'emr'
And Minnie never will.-NClC Orleans |
PiCIylBC.
MOUNDSyILLE.
Tho lima term of the Cirruit Conr4 com |