The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-14
BY Ella NJ. Bangs.


Copyright, 1911. by the Associated
Literary Press.)
"Of all thngs!" exclaimed Miss Ell
dora Goodrich, looking up over her
spectacles To her niece across the
room. What do you think, Rebecca2
But listen to this. 1t is written from
Cleveland, Ohio:
Miss Eldora Goodrich.
Dear Madam:
Il am informed that you have IN
your possession string OF gold beads
engraved with letters forming the
name, Rebecca Danforth. No doubt
their story Is as familiar to you as
to myself, though possibly parts Of 1t
are omitted in your version. so you
viii pardon me for repeating what you
already know for the sake OF what
you, perhaps, do not. Ninety or g.
hundred years ago stephen Danforth.
of Massachusetts, gave to his young
wife this string of beads engraved
with her name. Two sons were born
to them, stephen, Jr.. and William.
the former removed 10 what was then
way out west. The latter remained
Mrs. Danforth her husband promised
to give the beads to the first grand
daughter born and named Rebecca.
I'm course Of time a daughter came
TO William Danforth, She was duly
baptized Rebecca and to her was
given the gold beads. A few months
later word was received that q daugh
ter had also come to the family OF
Stephen Danforth, that she was
named Rebecea Danforth, and there
fore laid claim to her grandmother \
beads. Now, however, though the
birth OF this Ohio Rebecca antedated
that of her Massachusetts cousin by
several weeks. she never received the
beads
This Rehacca panforth was the
grandmo other Of tho writer OF this let
ter. Her daughter. my mother. died
SAX months ago. ! promised her that
would hunt up the beads gain pos
session of them, II possible. and give
them to my wife, AS she felt that they
should have come to our branch Of
the family. They have been traced
to yourself at Hilltop. II YOU still
have them, and are willing to part
with them. VIII gladly pay any rea
sonahle sum to possess them.
Kindly let me heag from you, and
oblige
Your distant cousin,
Stephen Danforth Moore"
Pretty, ptnk-cheeked, hazen eyed
Rebecca Norton had listened atten-
lively 10 the reading of the letter.
and as her aunt paused, exclaimed;
My beads Why | never thought
that anyone else had the least claim
upon them
Neither have they Indignantly,
II shall write this distant cousin
that the beads have been in this
branch of the family for three gem
erations, and | rather think they will
stay there. Possession is nine points
of the law. anyway. and II stephen
Danforth Moore wants 10 give gold
beads to his, Wits he caa buy some
new ones"
The girl reached for the letter and
read 1t over. How much do you
suppose he would pay for them ?" she
asked.
Not more'n five donarss prob%
ably" was tho scornfuI reply. NO"
she added. I'VE may need money. but
not badly enough for you to sell
your beads. We can tell him there
are no Esaus in our branch OF the
family" Miss Eldora smiled grimly
Mt her fitting smile.
Rebecca knew 1t would be- hard to
part with the beads, but as her aunt
had suggested. they were in need OF
money. They lived in the house where
both had been born. plain two-story
building OF red brick. with q green
front door, over which was fan
shaped window. 1t was sadly In
need Of repairs, and after much
thought on the subject the girl one
day wrote the following letters
Dear cousin Stephen:
You have probably received a let
ter from Aunt Eldora before this,
saying that we gould not give up
the Danforth beads. But they are
mine and. although my aunt does not
know that l am writing this, l want
to ask how much you would be will
ing to pay for them. II they really
belonged TO your grandmother I think
YOU ought to have them, especially
when you are willing to buy them.
/ just love those beads. but we are
poor, and you can't think how much
this old house needs repairing. parta
OF the roof leak, as aunt EldorA
says, like a riddle sieve, IL you know
what that Is. So. II. vow want the
beads enough TO pay what you call q
reasonable sum. l viii let you have
them.
Very truly your distant cousin.
"Rebecca Danforth Norton"
"A few days after this was mailed.
Aunt Eldora remarked:
Il guess Stephen Moore thinks he
may as well give UP the beads we
don't hear anything more from him.
| think l did put it to him good and
plain"
A satisfied nod accompanied this re-
mark, but Rebecca made no response.
She was, however. conscious Of a
guilty little fiutter at her heart.
A week passed and then one day
the sound Of the brass knocker rang
through the old house. and Rebecca
opened the green door to a man whom
her quick glance took In to be young,
dark-eyed and broad shouldered. Hat
in hand he inquired:
Am speaking to Miss Rehecca
Norton?"
you are"
Upon this the stranger reached out
his hand with an irresistible smile.
and the announcement, Il am your
cousin, Stephen Moore"
With cheeks like twin roses Rebec-
ca went to tell her aunt OF hi4 ar