The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-27

may SEEM he has not crossed the thresh-
Old OF his own residence for thirty-five
years, Notwithstanding he has always en-
Joyed the best of health. He was born
OF wealthy parentage and received a sub
stantiel academic education. His father
was the owner of a great many slaves
before the war, the most notable of whom
was Uncle Henry" who still lives at tho
old homestead with the secluded son of
MS FORMER master. Erastus Hail was a
sober, Industrious young man, and taught
TWO or three terms in the public schools
OF Washington county.
During his career as schoolteacher
among other of his students was a rosy
faced maiden of 16, the daughter of a
wealthy farmer. Her beauty, innocence
and pleasant manners attracted his at
tention, and he became desperately in
fatuated with her charms. But many
changes occurred before this fact was
made known to her.
During the closing days of the Civil
war his father and mother both died and
considerable property was left as his
share of the estate. Among other prop
erty inherited by him was the old home
stead of his mother, where he has lived
in almost total eecusion from the busy
outside world the greater part of his life
The building is Characteristic two-story
iog dwelling of ante-bellum days. At
either end of the structure is a huge
stone chimney, and a porch extends the
entire length of the frontage. Towering
evergreens of seventy-five years growth
adorn the broad avenue that leads to the
old-time home
After the death of his parents, his
brothers and sisters having married and
moved to distant states he and Uncle
Henry were left in charge of the fine
blue grass farm-share of the property
that fell to his lot
Though several years had elapsed his
intense love for Josephine johnson, the
schooi-girl had not ceased. He could no
longer keep his love from her knowledge.
she reciprocated. Her parents consented
to their marriage and the date for the
event mad been set when suddenly she
felI Ill of fever and soon afterward died,
eavlng her lover heart broken The day
following her death he declared to his
friends that he would live the remainder
Oh MS days in seclusion and for thirty
ave years he has not broken his word
NO one is permitted in his room except
Uncle Henry" and even he is not admit
ted except at meal hours The business. of
me large farm is conducted through the
oid colored man, who is now in the neigh
oorhood of rs years old.
FIaymates of long ago live within a
cast
upon MIN for nearly half a century
II was curious meeting says the New
1oIh tribune, that of Mrs Parvenue
ana her old acquaintance Mrs. Simnle
IN the foyer of the METROPOLITAN Onera
house on the first night of the season
Inc former, who, as every one knows
Is immensely rich, spent last summer,
despite her great desire for social ad-
Vancement, at a quiet resort on the
maine coast, by the advice of her phy-
slcien' she took, of course, the largest
house in the neighborhood and set nm
grand establishment, with horses and
carriages and servants galore Being a
good natured women, and finding in a
little cottage near her gates an attrac-
tive young widow with a half grown
son, she took the pair under her especial
protection and patronage. Mrs. Simple
who had quiet sense of humor and
VINO really liked Mrs. Parvenue, appeared
to be grateful for her attentions, and
smilingly acquiesced in the latter's plans
for the following winter
You must really go into society, my
dear, said her protectress. 81 will in
troduce you to some nice people and l
am sure you will get on. l am not the
kind that forgets a friend, and you may
be sure l will do everything for you 1
can"
On their return to New York, how
ever Mrs. Parvenue, who was badly Bit
ten by the society bee and who was maxi
ing desperate struggles to enter society.
had, although genuinely attached to her
young friend, neglected to hunt her up
as she had promised. and up to the OPEN
ing night of the opera had not seen her
In the mean while Mrs. Parvenue had
rather been taken possession of by one
of the impecunious society women who
hang on to the skirts of the rich new
corners and teach them their p's and as
AS they were sitting in the opera box
on that especial night Mrs. Parvenue
who was scanning the company through
her glass, suddenly gave start of sur
prise. who is that girl in white in
Mrs. Tiptop's boxr' she exclaimed.
THAT is Mrs. Simple, Mrs. Tiptop's
niece" answered her mentor. "She is
a great belle again since she has left off
her mourning, and they say she is now
going to marry young Croesus, whom she
sent off to Europe last spring and who
has just returned"
Mrs. Parvenue gasped and grew quite
red as she remembered how she had con-
descendingly promised an introduction to
some nice people" Consequently she
felt considerably fluttered about their
meeting, and when Mrs. Simple came
over to where she stood waiting for her
carriage, and, to the great surprise OF
her cicerone, greeted her affectionately,
she was greatly relieved. Truly this was
a case of bread cast upon the waters
coming back abundantly, for the next day
Mrs Simple called. and to Mrs. Parve-
ntte's intense satisfaction left Mrs. Tip
tops card with her own-a card, by the
way, which is somehow always on the
top of the pile in the silver card receiver.
Black is so universally worn, says Har-
per's Bazar that it is difficult to decide
at first glance whether a black gown
is a mourning gown or not, but there
are many materials and trimmings only
suitable to be worn under such circum-
stances. Crepe, to begin with, makes
most satisfactory trimming, and was
never so fashionable as at the present
time. the reason for this being that the
material as it is now manufactured pos
sesses many advantages that it formerly
lacked Crepe wells, for instance, are so
much lighter in weight than they were.
owing to there not being nearly so much
dressing in the fabric, that it is not only
lighter but wears far better and can much
more easily be renovated The first cost
of a handsome crepe veil is, of course,
considerable, but it will wear for a long
time. and can be done over and over
again and come out each time looking as
fresh as ever. Entire gowns are made of
creme. for both the house and the street,