Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-01-21
WEDDING PRESENTS.

furniture for a bride and groom who
we're not going to keep house! They
found the articles dumped In the bach
yard of their boarding place the dag
after the wedding. Besides that they
found chiffoniers and dressing tables
and chairs and couches and more
chairs.
That's what comes of being In the
furniture business all my life. You
see, most of my friends deal In this
stuff" commented young Graham
ruefuIIy. as he studied storage prices
later in the day. But your six let
ters of thanks for those dining-room
sets are works of art, Dotty," he add
ed. I'm glad I've got you, II you
did bring an avalanche Of chairs and
tables"
Come, Rex, be sensible and help
me now" responded the girl at the
desk. I've thanked people for every
single thing except those spoons.
Can't you decide who sent them? Try
q process of elimination"
Graham drew down his brows.
They're nice solid ones?"
Every. Colonial pattern"
They're from some of my relatives,
Of course"
1.-THE only reason I think so Is be-
cause mine are all represented-and
yours aren't!"
"Clever turn, Dotty! You say they
nv Jr,tf
the chumps send card?"
I'm deathly afraid they did. These
spoons came while | was dressing for
the wedding and all / know is that
the girls said they were postmarked
ST. Louis. If there was card 1t was
lost"
well, there are four families of
my Stackhouse relatives living there
and not one of them sent anything"
And there are those three lovely
st. Louis girls I met at the lake last
summer, too. l hadn't an idea Of
their giving me a present when | sent
them an invitation, but what if they
should have done it? I can't write,
how awful that would be!'
"Well, I'll tell you what I'll do with
the Stackhouses. I'll pen them line
like this: In. checking off relatives
who have made good on my list Of
wedding presents l find you draw a
blank If there is any mistake about
this kindly-"
Ridiculous! But, really, wait a
minute. See what you think of this
as form that might be sent to each
of them-varied a little, of course:
"'Dear So-andSo: / have received
set of the loveliest spoons l ever
saw, sent without any name, and I've
been racking my brains to guess who
could have sent them. Can 1t be pos
sible that you could have done any,
thing so generous and sweet?'
"No-hush, Rex!-not that exactly,
but something like this: I never
once dreamed of your being so lovely
as to send me anything at all, much
less No, not that either, of
course, but wait-I hive 1t now: Can
you help me to solve the mystery? Do
give me suggestion If you hav, an
idea How's that?"'
Great head, Dotty! Get 1t of
quick and I'll write something along
the same lines to mw Stackhouse peo-
pie,
Four days later the, morning mail
brought the following letters-all
from st. Louis:
"My Dear Nephew: II had slipped
my mind that the 28tif was your we'd
ding day, and I'm glad your inquiry
about the spoons reminded me. No,
didn't send them, but l am starting
to-day piece of CUT glass, which,
trust, will reach you safely. With all
good wishes, your uncle.
RICHARD STACKHOUSE."
"Dear Cousin: Yours received.
have no idea about the spoons you
mention, but Il am sending you a
parior lamp. which brings my con-
CALCULATIONS, though 1t comes littla
Late. Devotedly.
CLARA STACKHoUSE."
Dear Hex: I'm not guilty apout
the spoons, and don't know who, is.
but ann guilty of being very lata In
sending, a remembrance for your we'd
ding day. inclose check for SIS,
which T should like to. have yan in
vest In a chair for your bride. I do
IL this way, because l know. being in
the business. you can select better
and get more for the money than
could Your affectionate uncle,
JOHN STACKHOUSE."
Dear Old Fellow: None os us sent
the spoons. but If you see a big
leather chair coming down the streei
you may know it came from all of US
together. We have ordered it from
Bradley's, in your town. and hope
| you'll like it. Congratulations anC
hove from us all Your cousin,
bob STACKHOUSE."
Dear, Dear Dorothy: We thret
| girls have had the greatest time try
ing TO decide what to get for you anC
az last have hit upon the idea of or
| dering big green davenport, jus
lke the one we four used to sit on *
1 81 he lal Y