The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-02-04
there could be no better proof OF your
attention to his precepts."

there could be no better proof Of your
attention to his precepts."
There was a suppressed litter at this;
out aunt Gertrude came to the rescue
and protested against remarks OF q
personal nature generally. and particu-
larly in the Ease Of q gentleman highly
esteemed by all who had the privilege
Of his acquaintance. Uncle Sam agreed.
and declared that he had not only or.
plimented the minister by asserting,
in other words, that he had a larger
understanding than any other ma in
New York
Several OF my uncle's friends ten.
dered their congratulations In the time
honored platitudes which have served
on innumerable similar occasions, after
which uncle Sam rose, and glass In
hand, invited oil present to dr'3s to the
health, prosperity and long life OF the
bride and bridegroom. For the happy
pair opposite, who with all the courage
of inexperience and In defiance Of sages
and sarirists have given those hostages
to Fortune which &C many Of rs would
like to redeem, I entertain q very spe-
cial and real affection" said uncle
Sam. 1.-The bride Is the only sister OF
my dear wife, and q daughter Of my
friend and benefactor. ! have known
her all her life and I say Of her, that
NO truer or more amiable lady can he
found between Maine and California.
She was my ward; and.my duty to her
has also been my pleasure from the
day I became her guardian until you
saw me surrender her to her husband
and with her all that I held In trust
for her. With something over aud
above. The bridegroom Is the only son
of one, who. In my youthful days in
England before I entertained c thought
Of setting foot OF thin continent. had
promised to become my wife-a prom
;se she was forced to break-and Of my
only brother, whom ! co not expect to
see again. It Is FOR these reasons
chiefly that I am prejudiced In favor OF
the bridcgrcon,-for he is no genius.
and l don't suppose his unaided efforts
would ever have burdened him with
much property; he is a triGe senti-
mental, and lacks resolution and ixity
of purpose. Nevertheless he has proved
himself q faithful friend and q pupil OF
ut least average aptitude. ]: Is with
much pleasure. and confidence that /
ask you to join me Ia wishing health.
prosperity and long life TO Mr.. n Mrs.
Ernest Truman"
The toast wac drunk with cnthus-
iasm, everybody standing. In my
brief reply I unrcservedly admitted
the accuracy Of my urcle's estimate
CT my powers, AID congratulated my
self on having won not only his good
will but a wife the equal Of his $wn
in fortune and every perconal grace.
Notwithstanding the natural defects
to which he had called attention; \
retort which. obvious as 1t was,
seemed to put the company into great
good humor.
By this the hour was reached when
It was necessary that my wife should
prepare for our departure tc Saratoga.
and the party left the tables to inspect
the wedding gifts, which were eIhib-
tied In o large room devoted exclu-
to that purpose-a valuable col
Of jewels and fancy articles,
ut which I could not look without the
thought that nothing from
Holdenhurst was among them.
1t wanted not more than half an
hour Of the time fixed for orr depart.
ure when uncle Sam. with an air Of
mystery. beckoned me to follow him.
I did so. wondering What his purpose
could be. BE led the way to his study.
where aunt Gertrude and my wife
awaited Us, the latter now In q plain,
tightly-ftting travelling dress. ready to
My uncle closed the door In
q cautious way az soon as we had en-.
tered the room, which circumstance,
as well as the serious looks Ct aunt
Gertrude and my wife. filed me with
alarm.
I was about to inquire the meari2g
Of all this when uncle Sam spoke. my
wife meanwhile observing me closely
to note the effect Ct his words upon
me. "A letter from England arrived
for you this morning." he said. land
by good fortune It fell into my hands.
I have kept 1t from you until now. for
your benefit; for you would not have
liked your marriage to have been
again postponed. I don't know how 1t
may prove. but I greatly fear that It
contains bad news. However that
may be, take courage for your wifc's
sake as wen as your own. Remember
my recent experience, and Fever let
It be said that the old man was Drawer
than the young one" And having
thus my uncl, handed me q
black bordered letter bearing an Eng
lIsh stamp and the poctDark Of Bury
St Edmund's.
To be continued.
Suicide and Insurance.
A recent decision uy the Suprems
- nhfo nooro, <ho efrfoidQl