The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-07
In Ada's Cabinet.

II was half-past six. The gas was
lighted in the library. but without no
artificial light was needed. for the Feb
r,try neon made the whole street
bright; it fell softly upon the snow
drifts. and upon the passers-by who
vaded tire ugh the snow. and who. hav-
ING through the day bravely faced the
wind and the flying flakes. we're now
lurfying home 10 rest by their coy
lresides
With her face pressed closely against
The window stood little girl Of ten or
twelve years, looking and listening-look
Ing for the postndn, listening for his
whistle. The hour Tor the last delivery
had past; the storm perhaps had delayed
the mails; the postman would surely
have a hard enough time. &c Ada tried
not 10 be impatient at the delay, even
though IL was dear grandma's letter for
which she was waiting.
Adas home was not a modern house;
az the windows hung some veiy queer
old Venetian blinds. painted green, and
Within the room could be seen quaint rose
wood furniture dark with age. Curious
O.d-time portraits hung on the wall, with
ancient frames from which looked out
Upon the little girl the faces Of her an
cestors. the early settlers OF New England,
and OF the Quaker city, too. the ancestors
OF whom she was so proud. %da's home
vas one OF the ancestral houses Of Phila-
oelphia; OF course IL was built OF red
brick, ana the shutters were white; the
front steps were Of white marble, and
they were built sideways sgaii'st the
house having on the outside a black iron
railing Of queer design.
Her grandpa was al the time in New
yort. She was very proud OF this young
IA
ana with not single gray hair in his
head. Although he was so lovabie. yet
fhe would have found IL hard TO tell
witch OF her grandfaihers she loved best,
ior Ada was rich in Grandfathers. There
wcs another one who lived in Newport all
the time. lie was really her greaigrand-
laIa. her papa's own grandfather; she
called him her erandpater. lie was quite
oid. with a beautiful white beard. glasses,
and a gold-headec cane. and best of all.
head full Of wonderful stories for the
sahdren. 40 vel as a pocket full OF bon
t9ns for them.
At last the postman came, and the let
ief. Ada was happy. IL was a fat letter;
mere were two Columbian stamps on IL,
s.d one corner OF the envelope was some
"hit torn as though the quarters had
te'n 100 close. and little breathing room
.al been needed. Besides the expected
.ier from grandpa, there was. also one
"on giandpater. end a gift from him.
t-.h a treasure, one more addition 10
"les cabinet OF family curiosities. II was
ieiier, very yellow with age, folded
On curious fai hon. I'm the style Of the
vlen times before envelopes were in.
,thied. IL was sealed With red wax. and
.. % could still be traced the head OF
.iefcnry. the messenger. As soon MS
"o' saw the seal, she knew that al, old
'einily ring had been used in the way %
sea- that ancient letter, a ring thai RAD
.een given to her by grandpater on her
AS birthday
for long time she pored over tho old
"ier. IL was dated way back. more than
.'i q century. The writing was beauti-
.ui. every letter perfectly formed. and the
'~ptesslons used were decidedly ouaint
era formal. The letter was dated al
"haaelphia. and was addressed TO "My
IGNORED mother" il contained two items
=, news which especially interested Ada.
."e hfst referred to packet" sent by
inend, and containing an article here
.Te unknown 10 ada. The letter stated:
ine stock Is wrought with such elegance,
80 - such an agreeable specimen OF the
1suulty Of my sisters that | fancy l
al take the liberty 10 return In the
In OF II, piece OF plain muslin which
~ Fster may also embellish for me-"
sIockI What could that be7 II oui