Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1902-08-01

Daisy's mother looked at 1t as she stood
at the foot of the staircase and contem-
plated the box newly delivered by the
parcel van. Il knew the dear old soul
would not forget her, and it's so heavy
1t must be something very handsome
"Oh, mamma, what car it be?' cried
Daisy, putting the finishing touches to
her toilet as she fastened down stairs.
Il do hope it is one of the new silver
afternoon stands-they are so chic and
stylish, you know, and no one here
abouts has n except Lady Hightoff.
Her presents were put in the paper, you
know"
Call Susan, Daisy; we could not get
this lid off ourselves said Mrs. Elder,
in her fathers grocery store she was an
adept at opening boxes. 1t was befit-
ting, however, that the arrival of a
marriage present to her daughter from
their one wealthy relative should be ac-
companied by all the pomp and cere-
mony at her command.
So Susan's help was invoked, and
with the aid of the kitchen ak the box
was opened, and the article it contain
ed, wrapped in silk paper, was carried
to the parlor. An Enclosed envelope
was attached to it, which contained
Aunt Tabitha's visiting card with this
written on it:
with best wishes and the hope that
her grand-niece will prize this for her
sake"
"Lor, num-" said the maid, as she
set it down on the table, its heavy.
l do believe it's solid gold"
1T might well be, coming from Aunt
Tabitha to her name child" said Mrs.
Elder, smiling to her daughter, who
was unwinding the paper with a dig
nifty that would have graved the unveil-
ing of a public statue.
"a biscuit boxv!' they exclaimed in
chorus, when the thing stood unveiled.
1t was of rather an ancient type, a
relic of the days when it was consid-
cred a virtue in a biscuit box to have
the properties of a mausoleum-mas-
sive and solemn. 1t consisted of a
majolica jar about the diameter of a
drain pipe, and quite as elegant, fixed
in a silver-plated stand of a coffin
mount style, and with a lid of similar
metal.
Isn't it hideous?' cried Daisy, on re-
covering her breath.
"It's-it's not what one would have
expected of Aunt Tabitha,' sighed Mrs.
Elder, in a disappointed tone.
Susan, having heard the Elders boast
90 much Of the old lady's fabulous
wealth, and thinking she might have
filled the box-with sovereigns as a set
off to its ugliness, lifted the lid and
peered inside. Its capacious emptiness
gave Susan a brilliant idea.
"Lor, num-" she said, sit 'ud make a
beautiful coal scuttle."
This was a reflection on her relatives
gift. however, which Mrs. Elder resent
ed, and the girl was thereupon remind
ed of some household duties that re-
quired her elsewhere.
Il could not show 1t among my pres
ents, mamma; every one would laugh
at it," said Daisy, petulantly.
"And I've been telling everybody that
1t was a solid silver tea service, Aunt
Tabitha was sending you-how provok-
Ing" said the mother, peevishly; ~
don't know what to say now"
Look, mamma" pointing TO a trades
mans label on the paper, this is where
1t has been bought. Couldn't we ex-
change 1t for something else?'
"Yes, Daisy, we might-something
useful-spoons and forks, say; that
would save your papa buying them, and
the old wretch need never know
And l don't care. suppose she did:
1t would only serve her right-the spite
full old thing. Prize 1t for her sake, in
deed; l would pitch it at her II she were
here
"Do you know, Daisy. what l think
we should give out that she has sent?,
said the mother. suddenly Frightening.
NO" replied her daughter. eyincing
some curiosity.
"A check"
"Oh, capital!' cried Daisy. 1.-The very
thing-a large amount; a hundred
guineas. shall we say? That's what all
the grand people are doing now. 1t will
sound quite aristocratic.'
And so the firm OF silversmlths in the
distant town where Aunt Tabitha re-
sided. and from where she had pur-
chased the biscuit box, were communi-
Gated with, and after some negotiations
an exchange was effected. They were
strictly enjoined not to let the exchange
be known to their customer for fear Of
her being offended.
The firm In question had congratu-
lated themselves on having got rid OF n
piece OF old stock. and the salesman