The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1913-01-17

vague belief in the tradition, yet she
was willing to risk Ill luck In order TO
rain possession Of even one bit OF the
cherished tea set.
And the bad luck seems to have fol-
lowed the tea set right down. one gen.
GRAFTON after another" went on the
lawyer. Even your late cousin. Anne
Driscoll, was not free from its inhu
ence"
An uneasy glance went the round or
the heirs, but not one wavered IN her
stern intention to carry part OF the JUS
ter tea set with her when she Went
away.
With a gesture of disgust Mr.. Bemis
dropped the slips Of paper in the ius-
ter sugar bowl and shook it vigorous
ly. Then he presented 1t to Grandma
Twigg
IF you will draw slip, Mrs
Twigg" he suggested.
There was an instant of suspense
while Grandma Twigg fumbled inside
the bowl. Then she drew forth slip
and held it up for Mrs. Leek's inter
probation.
Teapot" grunted Mrs. Leek sourly
as she thrust her hand In the bowl.
sugar bowl" she said in a Modified
tone as she examined her slip. A
breath of disappointment went around
the remainder of the group as the two
choicest pieces were thus allotted. Il
hope you'll be real careful about my
bowl" added Mrs. Leek with some I'm
portance.
The lawyer smiled dryly as he passed
the bowl around. The Benson sisters
drew each a plate. and the cups and
saucers went to Mrs. Frake and Leona
Armstrong Then the sugar bowl was
restored to Mrs. Leek, who jealousy
wrapped it in her handkerchief and
bestowed the lid in her knitting bag.
II believe this concludes the settle
ment." said Mr.. Bemis. You have all
signed off and your names are all at
tached to the furniture and personal
effects which you have chosen. l con-
graduate each and all of you on the
acquisition of the luster tea set" He
shook hands with them and departed.
One by one the others wrapped up
cup or plate and followed in his steps.
There was little conversation among
them. The Bensons. who had drawn
plates, had failed to effect an exchange
for one cup and saucer. and in the face
of this defeat were inclined to sulki-
ness. Grandma Twigg was quite con-
! tented with the famous Driscoll tea
pot and Mrs. Leek looked at the plates
and thought herself fortunate.
1t seemed that the i'll luck of the
Iuster tea set had lost no time in get
ting down to business for that very
night Mrs. Deacon Leek received let
ter from the man who held the mort
gage on her farm, asking that the note
be paid up at an early date. All the
Leek money was tied up in land.
| This dilemma resulted in a sleepless
night for the possessor Of the luster
sugar bowl; that beautiful bit of an
tiquity stood in solitary splendor on
the top shelf Of the china cupboard
quite forgotten in this new trouble.
The next morning found Mrs. Leek
| in deep consultation with Lawyer Be-
, mis-. II don't know what to do, Mr.
Bemis, and the deacon's so crippled
with rheumatism he can't get about
and see to any business. If Mr.. More
had only given me three months-drat
the fuck!" she ended spitefully.
1T is bad luck" sympathized Mr.. Be-
| mis-. Looks mighty like that sugar
bowl had something to do with it. don't
It? Everything's been all right so far
till you got hold Of that"
1.-THE sugar BOWL" CALCULATED Mrs.
Leek incredulously. You must think
I'm heather. Mr.. Bemls, to set any
store by that tale. | suppose 1t just
happened that Mr.. More wanted his
money, though he did tell me the other
day 1t could run for ten years If
wanted to leave it."
Just So" said the lawyer suavely.
"Queer, isn't 1t, Mrs. Leek? Well, I'll
do The best l can to find another loan
Tor you. Keep up your spirits"
The rest OF the day was spent by
Mrs. Leek in deep consideration. Oc-
casionally she went to the china cup
board and looked long and earnestly
at the ulster sugar bowl. but always
she closed the door with regretful
sigh. Just as dusk was falling she
took down the sugar bowl and. wrap
ping 1t in paper. left the house and
hurried down the street toward the
public library.
The Benson girls, who frankly adj
mitted to forty years and were accred-
tied with many more by statistical
nelghbors, arrived home that after
noon much perturbed in spirit over the
distribution Of the luster ware.
"Twould have been nice If you had
drawn cup and saucer Ellen" said
Rachel as they entered the house.
with my plate it would have some
look to 1t. Two plates seem awful
poverty stricken"
II think we're pretty lucky to get
two plates out Of it." said Rachel
cheerfully. Especially when Lizzie
Leek had got her mind set on It. l