The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-10
THE EVENING STORY
Gold Beads.
(By Ella M. Bigs.)

QOIa NIOOOTlCn, lOOklnS up OVER uSi
spectacles to her niece across the room.
What do you think. Rebecca? But
listen to this. It is written from Cleve-
land, Ohio:
Miss Eldora Goodrich,
Dear Madam:
Il am informed that you have in
your possession a 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 it are
omitted in your version so you will par
don me for repeating what you already
know for the sake of what you, per-
haps, do not. Ninety or a hundred years
ago, Stephen Danforth of Massa-
chusetts, 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 to what was then way out
west. The latter remained in Massa-
chusetts. After the death of Mrs. Dan
forth her husband promised to give the
beads to the first granddaughter born
and named Rebecca.
In 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 a daughter had
also come to the family of Stephen
Danforth, that she was named Rebecca
and therefore laid claim to her grand
mothers beads. Now, however, though
the birth of this Ohio Rebecca ante
dated that of her Massachusetts cousin
by several weeks, she never received
the beads
This Rebecca Danforth was the
grandmother of the writer of this let
ter Her daughter, my mother, died
six months ago. promised her that
would hunt up the beads, gain pos
session of them, if 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 your
self at Hilltop. II you still have them.
and are willing to part with them, |
will gladly pay any reasonable sum TO
possess them.
Kindly let me hear from. you, and
oblige,
Your distant cousin,
"STEPHEN DANFORTH MOORE
Pretty, pink-cheeked, hazel-eyed Re
becca Norton had listened attentively
to the reading of the letter. and as her
aunt paused, exclaimed:
My beads! Why I never thought
| that anyone else had the least claim
upon them"
Neither have they Indignantly. 81
shall write this distant cousin that the
beads have been in this branch of the
family for three generations, and
rather think they will stay there. Pos
session is nine points of the law, any
way, and if Stephen Danforth Moore
wants to give gold beads to his wife he
can buy some new ones"
The girl reached for the letter and
read it over How much do you sup
pose he would pay for them?" she
asked.
Not more'n five dollars, probably, ,
was the scornfuI reply. NO" she add
ed, I'VE may need money. but not badly
1
can tell him there are no Esaus in our
branch of the family Miss Eldora
smiled grimly at her fitting simile
Rebecca knew it would BIZ. 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, a plain two-story build
ing of red brick, with green front
door, over which was a fan-shaped
window. 1t was sadly in need of re-
pairs, and after much thought on the
subject. the girl one day wrote the fol-
lowing letter:
Dear Cousin Stephen:
you have probably received a letter
from Aunt Eldora before this, saying
that we could not give up the Danforth
| beads. But they are mine and, al
though my aunt does not know that
am writing this. I want to ask how
much you would be willing to pay for
them. If they really belonged to your
grandmother I think you ought to have
them, especially when you are willing
to buy them. I just love those beads,
| but we are poor and YOU cant think
how much this old house needs repair
| ing, parts of the roof leak, as aunt Ell
dora says, like a riddle sieve. if you
know what that is So. if you want the
| beads enough to pay what you call q
reasonable sum, 1 will 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
don't hear anything more from him.
think I 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 man whom
her quick glance took in to be young,
dark-eyed and broad shouldered. Hat
in hand he inquired:
Am I speaking to Miss Rebecca
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 Re-
becca went to tell her aunt Of his ar
rival Miss EIdora was at first IN
clined to be somewhat distant in her
manner. but 1t was OF no use, for the
geniality of the young man soon made
both women feel that they had been
acquainted for years.
| Before the day was over Rebecca
L had shown him the Danforth beads.
They are beautiful" he comment
ed, and so odd Then little later
when Miss EIdora had left the room