Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-04-02
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SLEIGHBELL
MEMORIES
D COpy-ssht. 1901. by A. S. Richardson
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-.... BY INA TRAVIS

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harry and walked to the window. The
afternoon sun cast dazzling light on
the first snowfall, and above the cIanr
Of the cable cars sounded the faint
Jingle Of sleighbells on the boulevard.
Buttoning his overcoat to the throat.
he strobe down the mosaic corridor
past the brass cages behind which the
bank clerks were casting up the days
accounts, and threw open the door
whose curtains had been tightly
drawn. AS he stood on the threshold
a pleased light came into his shrewd
gray eyes. Round the corner. with
clink OF silver chains and Jingle Of
bells. swept his favorite team of
blacks. The present Mrs. Shepard was
most considerate Of her husbands
wishes and tastes. Sleighing was one
Of the bankers keenest pleasures. and
she had remembered the fact.
But as the horses stopped before tho
bank Mr.. Shepard noted the absence
Of his big English coachmah. A tall
square shouldered figure sprang out and
familiar greeting to the man on the
step. 1t was Reginald.
Come on. father. for a dash on the
speedway EverybOdy's out"
Where is JamesT' inquired Shepard
as be climbed into the cutter.
"At the stables. 1 thought-we-
might have the first ride of the season
together"
If the elder Shepard had not been
so absorbed in studying the set Of the
new harness. he might have observed
in his sons voice an anxious note aud
in the adjustment Of the robes more
than ordinary filial solicitude.
Once on the boulevard. beyond bust
ness traffic and cable cars he might
also have looked here and there on
dull brownstoneshOuses whose rentals
flowed into the Shepard Golfers. When
the avenue rose sheer above the
waters edge, he might have looked
across the stream to his large holdings
in the Palisades, from which. it was
predicted. the city would eventually
draw its water supply.
But he was not thinking OF these
things. A PARKWAY look came into his
eyes. and he paid no heed TO his sons
occasional comments on passing We
hicles until finally Reginald found
what comfort he could i'm his own
thoughts.
Amos Shepard sat with his arms
folded. studying with unseeing ewes
the scenery spreading out before them.
Instead Of towering cliffs and stately
mansions. he saw stretch of mid
west prairies broken 10y rail fences
and low farmhouses. The blooded
trotters were transformed into
patient gray mare drawing n high box
sleigh. The robe was a flannel lined
buffalo skin, and But did that mat
ter? She was at his side, and With
lips stlff. partly from cold and partly
from the fear that he was asking more
than she could give, he framed the
mOmentOus question.
And that thrilling word Of three let.
tiers which seemed to change his whole
life-it carried him away from the old
farm to the busy city above the river.
where he meant TO make Il name for
himself and wealth for Kitty. 1t was
much harder than he had anticipated.
De was almost ready to give up and
return TO the farm when she wrote
that she thought she could help him.
and she was such a dainty. fragile
Kitty. After she came it was easier.
1t was Kitty's announcement and
good advice that smoothed cut many
q business wrinkle. just as her soft
hand rubbed away the frowns and the
headaches at night.
By and by her hands were less soft.
for the work became heavier when the
babies arrived. And when, after he
mad achieved his first little success.
came the panic to sweep everything
before it Kitty's wise head planned the
foundations for the new work, and
kitty's small economies, ennObied by
her great love, made the upward climb
easier. He could see her now making
red flannel mittens for Reggie and the
wee checked pinafores she sewed for
Kathie under the green shaded lamp.
He drew in his breath quickly. The
picture changed to the day when he
brought home her first silk Dress How
her blue eyes shone when he threw the
gllstening folds over her shouldersl
Later came the sealskin and the dia-
monds, but nothing that made them
half so happy as that first silk dress.
And day by day as be prospered he re-
allied that there was something which
his wealth could not buy back-the
fading health Of his quiet, fragile wife.
When it was all over and for one
long, weary year Kitty had lain asleep
under the graceful marble shaft, q
handsome mistress came to the newly
furnished mansion on the avenue.
Thoughtless people said it was so for
tunate all round, for the first Mrs.
Shepard was not the sort of woman to
preside over such a home or to cult
Rate the people who would be usefu
to rising man like Amos Shepard.
The second Mrs. Shepard was admi-
rably adapted to the position. She
knew the schools which would give
the children the best social standing.
She presided over a dinner table with
indescribable grace and tact, and when
Shepard was elected to congress ii
was freely circulated that his wife's
diplomacy had been worth more for