The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-27
Euphemia's Tea Ball.


silver plated at that which changed the
career of the Randall family and drove
q prominent young man to despair and
coffee plantation in Central America And
thereby hangs a tale.
The Randals were poor but honest, ard
they lived genteeIly In a quiet way. well
known and generally respected in little
country town lust far enough from Boston
70 retain its local color and just near
enough to that center of sweetness and
light TO be stirred by intellectual influences.
a good deal OF yearning went on. It took
the form OF Shakespeare cluos, magazine
clubs and stereopticon lectures apropos of
foreign travel which brought the Alps and
the Venus OF Milo and the sweet shady
side of Pail Mall very near home. The
newest novels and essays, newspapers full
OF the latest scandals and the most recent
fads were to be found on the sitting room
tables under the light OF student lamp
on winter nights. and the weekly journal
patting its subscribers cheerfaily on the
back every Saturday evening. Invariably
spoke OF them lively and progressive"
The serpent which steals its way into
every modern paradise, the destroyer of
humble happiness called society as yet
was not until the fatal New Years day
when destiny and Uncle Sans mail brought
to the postoffice in Bansford small square
box smartly tied I'D In white paper and
addressed in clear English hand to Miss
Euphemia Randall Of said town in the
State of Massachusetts.
Euphemia took it from the rostmistress
with a start of surprise. which did not es-
cape the latter ladys eagle eye. Euphe-
mia was by far the prettiest Of the three
Randall girls and. moreover, possessed an
interesting individuality from the fact that
she was keeping company with the most
eligible young man for many miles around,
steady and pious youth. whose eioquence
at prayer meetings had been known to re-
nuce hardened sinners 10 tears. and who
was. besides. bright and shining light in
the hardware business. What more natural
than that the box should have come from
him? But his devotion. alas. was generally
without form and void. 1t had been known
to express itself in gum drops and peanuts.
and once burst out unexpectedly in scar
let-hued volume of 1.-THE Marble Faun."
Even the recollection of the latter superb
Offering could not blind the postmistress to
the certainty that the address on the par
eel was not in Davids round school-boyish
hand, with which she was well acquainted,
and address, pink cord, sporless paper, the
whole thing had knowing stylish air that
drove her nearly wild as she reluctantly
handed 1t over to Miss Euphernia who
took IT, looking puzzled and then pleased,
before she walked away with an aggra-
waiting smile.
All, no! David's tokens Of affection
might have gone on for years before they
so much embraced the thought of such a
toy as reposed in the little box on a bed
Of pink jewelers. cotton. 1t came from
his inamorata's ex-Sunday school teacher
a charming widow. who. few years ear
Her. had captured the fancy of a wander
ing judge making his circuit and had been
borne off to preside very gracefully and
pleasantly over his city home To her
favorite pupil she had never failed to send
some holiday souvenir. always novel and
exciting, from the little bronze idol, which
was meant for an inkstand, but since no
body knew 1t, sat on the mantlepiece as
an object OF art all the rest of his DAYS
to the pink liberty scarf, which had gone
70 many a church sociable in the role of a
fascinator, coquettishly tied round Euphe-
arrival Of the white box she hurried home
TO inspect its contents, surrounded by the
rest Of her appreeiatiye family-father,
cover removed, revealed a Shining ball of
silver pierced with many holes. attached
to bit OF silver chain. It's like had never
"A
great deal of speculation and discussion,
popular opinion inclined to the belief that
II was nothing else than charm for
Randall had read that they were wearing
larger ornaments in Paris. Euphema
tucked it into her button hole. 1t really
dark blue of her pretty serge dress. She
dropped into the rocking chair by the win
dow. feeling distinguished and fashionable.
and swayed to and fro The window sill
was high and her seat low, 40 that people
passing in the street could see nothing
more than her head. She was sorry for
new possession get about. Mary and
Phebe. the two elder sisters, turned back
again to their work with a, sigh. They be-
longed to the Shakespeare Club and attend
ed all the lectures, yet In spite of these
intoxicating amusements their lives seemed
singularly bare and monotonous House
work and sewing kept them busy and
they had passed the age when beaux were
likely to appear on the horizon. Nobody
had ever waited on" Mary and Phebe.
scarce there is not much chance for plain
modest. quiet girls such as these two had
been and their only experience of sentf-
ment came to them indirectly through Eu-
phemia and David. As they picked up
their needles and thread and fell TO upon
the blue print gowns they were making
after the little incident of the box opening.
they knew instinctively that their pretty
sister was watching and waiting for him
without whose approval. the new bauble
could not have it's full value and the sigh
came from the emptiness of their own
hearts.
The short winter afternoon drew toward
its close, and still the figure by the window
rocked to and fro restlessly. At length
the front gate clicked, and in a second
clicked again. opening and closing after a
tall young fellow in rough brown clothes,
who strobe up the tagged walk to the side
door with the air of one perfectly at home.
Euphemia sprang up with bright flush as
he entered the room and went forward TO
meet him. People had not begun TO prac-
tice the pumphandle shake in Bangford.
but an older greeting still in fashion
for young folks who were keeping company.
which allowed her TO disappear within his
arms for second In delightfully."- mys-
terious way and emerge looking roster than
ever with the softly-parted hair on her
forehead little disarranged.
The silver ball managed to disentangle
itself from her gown during this perform
ance and fell tinkling TO the floor.
sHallop' said David, STOPPING to nick n
up. What dye call this, Euphemia?" He
held the glistening trifie out by it's bit of
chain and eyed IL curiously.
"Well / don't know exactly what to call
II myself" Euphemia took 1t from him
laughingly. I'VE don't any OF us know
But after a good deal OF reflection I've
of decoration to dazzle the town and be
worn So" Again she tucked 1t into her
buttonhole and curtsied to the young man
in saucy grace. He laughed back at her
fondly.
where did you get 1t from? Pedlers?'
Pedlers, Eupnemia was indignant.
mot bit OF it," retorted she. 1T came
from Mrs. Judge Bond. in Boston. So of
course, Ii is the very latest fashion,"
49, -1-I- g.