Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1853-04-21

OF blushiDg, when their eyes met
The business was finished at last, much
TO the regret Of my handsome friend, who,
when he got into the street, went straight.
way into Ct Of abstraction, aud had walked
hals way across OharlestoMnI bridge on his
way home. before be happenedts think that
he lived at the South end.
Il was al up with poor Frank he had
fallen III love-wss stark, staring mad ia
love--Nith whom, be knew net, for It was
WellrknoWn that Mr. Allen had no daughter
She was relative, however, TEX she bore his
name.
But If Frank was in love, there was some
consolation 10 the fact that tie fair creature
who had stolen his heart, was in the same
prelieament .-ss.-
The next day she came shopping at his
store, and the next, and the next; indeed,
almost every day No conversation had
passed between them, aud though be had
been introduced on the evening Of his visit,
he had been too much overwhelmed to use
words.
Ny friend. However, did not lack that ne
cessary attribute of successful Wooer, some
what valgarly termed !. SUNK He bad no
further business with the merchant but
then his case was desperate one, and be
made an errand. ssls4
Miss Allen blushed as be entered but she
was social aud agreeable to the last degree !;
so much so that Frank staid till the bells
rung for nine o'clock before he knew it,
The ice was broken, and my friend was in
for it.
The lady was niece Of the merchant,
twenty one years of age. and an heiress r.
La the course Of fewmenths, Franks ener-
gy won the victory, and it was understood
that they were engaged.
The merchant did no. like it., Being
somewhat exclusive in his ideas of social in
tereouse the prospective marriage of his
wealthy niece toa poor retailer, was repug.
nant to the last degree, and he resolved to
thwart the purpose of the loving couple
At FIRST he appealed to the lady butts
only laughed at him told him bluntly that
she loved Mr. Howard and Mould have him.
Then he reasoned with Frank on his ingrat-
itude to him, his benefactof. The young
man was touched, and promised to consider
it,
He did consider, and his loving inamordta
helped him consider it. After hasiy de-
liberation il was unanimously agreed to lay
the whole matter on the table"
Mr. Allen was informed Of the decision
and, as old fogies always do when they can.
net de anything else, bit his lip, and sNal.
lowed his words, fully resolved to do SOME
thing dreadful, whenever an opportunity oc
Cured.
A year after ny friend went into business
as passed his store one morning, was
not little surpri5ed to find it closed. Be
fore the window was that omnibus white
cloth, denoting that the occupant had failed.
I entered the store. Frank stood at bis
desk, CHANGING with most woe-begone as
pect at the pages of his ledger.
sIHow 5 this, Frank2' / lasked-and /
never was more surprised in my life
Bust up; don't you see2' replied he
rather petulantly. sli
4But what does it mean p
Mean why that had note of thcr.
sand dollars due yesterday, which | could
notpay and this morning early, my anna
>blefriend, Mr. Aliens pas in " keeper-that's
ALL i'll
e'How does il happen | thought yod
were doing a rushing business
50 was had the moftey to pay this
note six weeks ago, and let Smith have it at
two per cent month"; replied be, with a
CHASTITY smile. f
4 IAud Smith failed
q Not exactly he has stopped bat every
body says be is good-iif be has time to turn
himself
4 And you mast make fail Of it in the
mean time p
Ifd could only stave Mr.. Allen off a
couple Of months, could get out of the
scrape With flying colors' \
Wont he wait y
Frank shock his head Re had mortally
offended the proud merchant and there was
no prospect that he would be Intent in the
Slightest degree.
Can't y0u raise the money =
tGNe; times have net been 80 hard for four
years Every body is failing, and the mon
ey men wont trust their own fathers
AT this moment. Mr. Alien entered the
store. He looked stern and seyere--like
one who has the power in his'own hands
and il disposed to useiit seated myself
near the desk, as be approached.
The merchant politely saluted the unfor.
tunatc dealer, smiling as blandly as though
nothing had happened-as though re had
no niece, and Frank was Stole
siMr. Howard, this is unfortunate but in
the midst of so much commercial disaster
YOU perceive that it was my only course,
said the merchant. soothiugly.
/ suppose it was but you know the
cause of my inability to pay the note re-
turned Frank, With doIeful expression,
Ah, young man, you ought not to have
lent the money 70 Smith if you had asked
NV advice, / could have told you better
Smith was always supposed TO be good
The merchant shook his head.
But, MI Allen, give meEa short time
and can pay the note. Smith assures me
he shall recover himself,
mr.. Howard, | certainly wish you well
have done all csuld % give you fair
start
So you have, sir, and lam very grateful
to you
glance upon the young man
assure You thntl am.
tUew have YOU manifested t. y continued
the merchant, stefply Bus 70 matter y
meet now is business men
well. what shall Be done J You have
stunned n eau 10 no mese'
81 don't wish 70 Be hard would visit !
prndencs would justify i, said Alr Allen
uIo uas kssnly songitiyc IN regard % ~
reputation ior generosity and fairness
Ii TACT ha vas 3 nian q 5eoa iee,'n = =. =