The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-12-06
SELECTED STORY.
A Wedding Present.

now one ana sanctioned our union
with the blessing of the church. He
shook my hand, and the tears stood
In his eyes as he wished me unend-
ing happiness. He kissed Eleonore,
whom he had christened 20 years be-
fore, and repeated again, God bless
you, my dear child|
Then came the wedding guests,
one after the other, to congratulate
us. There was quite procession.
The sixth person in the procession
was Aunt Caroline She is Eleonore's
aunt, but l am quite as fond of her
as if she were my own. She is the
best of creatures, always ready to
come when you need her and quite
as willing TO stay away when she
fancies that her society might be
burdensome. She is one of those
generous, patient aunts who in win
ter always have on hand a store of
goodies for hungry nieces and
nephews and in summer are ever
ready to take charge of a particular
ly restless schoolboy or girl whose
exuberant vacation spirits render
him or her an annoyance to the
quiet home circle. In a word, Aunt
Caroline is noble example of what
an aunt really ought to be.
Dear Felix-dear Eleonore," she
said as she clasped our hands, my
wedding present is SO cumbersome
that l arranged to have it sent to
your house, where you will find it
when you return from your bridal
tour. 1t will welcome you to your
new home, and l trust it may give
you much pleasure and daily remind
you of your old Aunt Caroline"
1T is sure to give us pleasure,
whatever it may be, responded my
wife affectionately embracing the
dear old lady.
A dozen times day during our
Journey we spoke of Aunt Caroline's
present and tried to guess what it
might be- Eleonore was certain that
It was handsome bookcase, while
maintained with equal confidence
that it must be a superb bronze orna-
ment.
At last, after IA October days of
crimson tinted forests and deep blue
bays, enchanting sunsets and cozy
evenings beside sparkling hearth
fires in comfortable hotels-after two
weeks of perfect enjoyment-we re
turned to the charming little home
which had been prepared for us, and
which was henceforth to be our
haven of happiness.
/ kissed Eleonore when l helped
her from the carriage and muir
INJURED, Welcome home, my dear
wife"
She returned my caress rather
hastily, and running past me into
the house said, Now we shall see
what it is. "
Alas we learned only too soon.
Rika, our maid of all work, had illu
minated the little drawing room for
our reception. The handsome swing
ing lamp above the center table-a
present from Uncle Augustus-was
lighted Red wax candles burned
brightly in each of the two bronze can
delabra- Uncle Christophers present
on the mantel, while two lighted
student lamps, likewise wedding
gifts, stood on the piano. The light
from all these served to illumine and
direct our chances the moment we
entered the room toward Aunt Caro-
lines present, which hung directly
opposite the door. It was an afro
ciously painted representation of the
parable of the prodlgal son and
looked as if it might have originated
h a mandatory of 'curiosities.
Its true origin | never learned, al
though / had ample opportunity to
study it.
1t is quite certain however, that
dear Aunt Caroline, knowing my
own and Eleonore's fondness for pic
lures, and with her heart overflow
Ing with benevolence and affection
had purchased the huge canvas al
come auction paying for it good
round sum and consoling herself fol-
le extravaganza with thoughts OF
the pleasure the picture would give us.
The canvas measured s by 10 feet
The frame was broad gilded affair
the composition itself absurd in the
extreme, In the middle foreground
. group of figures in gala attire rep
Resented tho returned prodigal, his
parents and the guests invited tC
celebrate the return. On sort OF
raised gallery in the background
were number of figures with Gym
balls, dancing and singing All these
persons were III kind of pillaret
hall, to the left of which was an alb
ject looking individual in tattereC
Sarments feeding some swine will
Sars of corn To the right of the
hall was an oriental butcher with (
Turkish scimeter slaughtering the
lated calf.
We surveyed the monstrosity il
ri1Anop. in Silpppa listened m Riko y