The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-01-23
1AALMEDA'S FAD
BY MRS. r. ~. HOWARD
tcopyright.)

IL Is almost too commonplace TO
describe. that low-browed cottage.
where Miss Aimeda Brown lived alone.
Miss Almeda herself was the least
commonplace OF all, bright-eyed, Inn
perious little woman. with the dear
est. brightest smile and the warmest.
kindest heart as its motive power
On this particular morning she was
eating her BREAKFAST hearty. com.
Portable one, with the various courses
within easy reach of her ten active
maids. the fingers.
Pa seEt up the letter, seems you
don't come to the Office very often"
said small voice, following a dmid
knock, which Miss Almeda had not
heard in her absorbed attention to her
breakfast, and little Tommy Tinker
laid an Official looking letter. ad-
dressed in typewriting. beside Miss
Almeda's plate.
We'll. WE'LL" she exclaimed. taking
1t by the corners and peering nj 1t
suspiciously. as IL saspecting dyna-
mite. who can have written TO me
In machine writing"
Miss Almeda read the letter. her
brows knitting and her lips puckering
with the surprise OF the most remark
able communication she had ever re-
ceived.
We'll. do declare." she said at
length In a bewildered tone. Who'd
ever although it,"
The letter told of the death of an
eccentric old relative. who had not
only died. but had left her sole heiress
of large property,
There IT was in plain language. the
copy of the will. Il will and bequeath
the interesting clause followed later.
convinced that she will make Of 1t a
good and humane use, instead OF
throwing 1t away on fripperies and
nonsense"
She went about in a dared sort OF
way all day. and not until evening did
a definite plan of action suggest itself
| to her bewildered mind.
I'm go down TO New York on q
visit to Cousin Arson. I've always
wanted to see the city, and Jane and
used to be real chummy together when
| we were girls. Arson Is my cousin
on pas side, and there can't be any
feeling about the will, because Uncle
Jeffries was connected by marriage or
real good business man I've heard. anc
/ need his advice"
A week later and Miss Almeda was
taking her breakfast in New York, a
most unearthly hour. according e
her country notion, and with unaccus
toned splendor. though when the ele
gance was sifted II consisted mainly o
silver and cut glass. with several yer,
prim servants, who eyed the visitor
'up country" ways and dress will
curious interest
"Of course you will come to tow
now and enjoy life" said Cousin An
son. after the last course was serve,
and the three were alone. You hav'
been mewed up in that little countr,
town altogether too long"
When we have urged you so, agail
and again, to visit us" added Jane re
proachfully. Cousin Almeda with
fortune was very different perso
from plain. penniless Almeda, althougl
Jane herself did not realize the dii
tinction which had so suddenly ariser
and believed herself really sincere.
Miss Almeda smiled. after a knittin
of the brows for an instant in an e
fort to remember: after all II wa
pleasant to be so. warmly welcome,
and she would not harbor a cynict
thought Il haven't quite decided yet
she said, slipping her coffee and woI
dering II she could ever become recol
ciled to city cream. 1T is what | hay
come to consult you about. Arson.
want to look around and make up m
mind leisurely as to my futui
course"
Cousin Jane was skilled IN the a
of polite entertaining, and she gay
a tea and a musicale, a correct ar
stately dinner party in honor OF Il
guest. at all of which affairs Miss
media was introduced to so many pc
pie that she felt as II there was
wheel in her head. buzzing out nam'
unfortunately.
She was beginning to weary of eft
life. and TO long for her little brow
cottage. with its newly-shingled roc
and the simple companionship of b.
cat and dog.
In the succeeding days Miss A
media saw more OF the city's power
and suffering than she had dream,
OF as possibility. but somehow Il
wretchedness of the poor touching
it was, did not appeal 10 her as d
the dumb, animal life Of the great cit
The CALLED and goaded horses stru
|. Cling along under loads far too hea-
for them. which everywhere met b
view. touched a very tender chord
her heart
She could have wept for very pi
as she saw them hauling great var
heavily loaded street cars, huckstel
wagons. with patient. gentle eyes {
often turned toward brutal drivers
mute appeal. and she thought Of the
in the bitter treadmill Of this rushi
city life, with never a taste of I
! green pastures their natures VIC
made for. never a roll on the CO
green earth. spread abroad so liberia
!, outside this wilderness OF brick a
mortar