Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-11-29
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF A Bur EAU

Copyright. by Ford Pub. Goa

for whenever new acqnaintanc" *
uShcred into my presence hear surh
"XclamatiOnS as: oh. how beaut!lul'
What an exquisite old thing and
they gaze with delight at the clab0r-
ately carved pillars which snrmount
my wonderful claw feet. and touch
with an awed tenderness the shining
glass knobs which ornament my high
ly polished front
That am old. IS equally true | can
not tell how old some of I'll" earlier
events of my If" Al" not quite clear,
but what | chiefly rrcollcct is the hap
py time spent with my beautiful young
mistress. How we'll remember her
the day first saw her She had been
away at finishing school, and re-
turned on glorious summer after
noon. Through T." windows in her
pretty bedroom. III which | stood. the
soft breeze lifted III" muslin curtains.
ard stirred a fragrant breath among
the roses which clustered about the
room ard offered sweet w"lcoE" TO tn"
home coming of tins lovely girl. | had
heard the sound of carriage wheels
upon the gravel drive. then Affection
ate greetings at III" door. and before
long light feet tripping up the stairs.
4 bcwi!dering Gre allure of light and
lii" entered the room. Throwing her
Wide-brimmed hat upon the bed, sh"
approached the corner where | stood
and peeped, for an instant. into the
quaint mirror which hung above me.
All, never did mirror reflect a faircr
vision of girlish lcvclincsS.
A face OF perfec, oval framed by
floating masses of soft brown curls;
and meath delicatelv archcd brows, 4
pair Of innocent blue eyes looked
forth
The happy years passed all too
swiftly. and grew to love her NOR"
and more Her being seemed almost
part OF mine. shared her sweet
secrets, and though she did not tell
me what those del!cairly tinted notes
contained. | knew them almost word
for word. She would read them again
and again. sometimes kissing them. as
young girls will. ard felt | had a
sacred mission to care for those treas
ures 50 tenderly priced by her. Sh"
had lovers. many of them. and | be-
iieve | knew almost as soon as she
which one she would accept
With what keen delight watched
her make ready f.: her bridal, and
as the beautiful gowns of rich bro
cade and shimmering gauze and silk
were carefully consigned to my ca
paCious depths and the dainty articles
of feminine lingerie, many Of them
fashioned by her own fair fingers, |
was happy TO protect.
All too swiftly sped the hlissful
months; the joyous girl was now a
happy wife. and still shared her Sc
crets- Into her lovely face. once so
gay and gladstone. had crept
thoughtful gentle expression. and her
slender hands were often busy now
shaping tiny. wonderful garments. and
as she bent over her work. there was
an expression in the blue eyes that
was almost divine. How sweet sh"
looked. as. with an air of shy mystery.
she would lead her husband TO my
side and show him how the store OF
little garments was increasing' How
the two would talk and plan together
for the future OF this Wonderful Be
ing. who was coming TO make Gladd"r
and fuller their wedding happiness.
But such bliss was denied this loving
pair Her tender breast ne'cr knew
the touch OF baby fingers. nor her brow
the crown of motherhood. for size slep.
beneath the early vio!e,s.
Life was very different for me aft
or she died. TIL" room where she and
I dwelt SO happily was closed for a
long time. and the key was but sci
dom turned in III" lock Of 'Lettv's
chest" ! was regarded as a thing too
sacred to be- approached careicssly.
Years passed. and troupe Of young
nieccs mad. IN" old house ring with
life again To them Aunt Lefty" was
only a name. for she. the eldest in a
large family. had passed from earth
many years before their advent. and
the old Chcst "f drawers and tine mos
grown tOmb in the Old-faShtoned gar
den were objects closely allied. and
awe inspiring As the years went on
some Of the older girls were allowed.
as a special reward Of merit. 10 take
a peep into my sacred depths. and
their eyes would open wide with won
der as a faded robe O! quaint desisa.
the wedding gown perchanCe. was
shaken from its folds Of ycllowed It's
sue papcr before their delighted gaze.
The custodian of these hailowed treas
ures vas a devoted sister, and at her
death she beQueGiheh me TO niece.
ono ~ the wondering hand of Young
sisters. and namasake 81 the lovely
woman who died long ere this Lefty