Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-01-13
Misteuaneous.
A JOURNEY FOR A WIFE.
A LESSON OF LIFE.

| Olie uue iuoTuluS III uuc, AlUeFG ralr-
child selected from his wardrobe his most
beautiful suit, and from his bureau a goodly
supply of linen, and with countenance
glowing with joyful anticipations, common
ced packing capacious valce, and making
other preparations for a journey.
Mr.. Albert Fairchild, was going to visit
young lady, of whom it is necessary to say
a few words before proceeding with the sto-
! ry.
Josephine Marvin resided with her par
ents in village called Pekin, in order not
to offend the nodesty of the inhabitants by
using the real name; and out of the village
she had never journeyed far, except on three
occasions She had made three visits to re-
lations in town, with whom she had spent
several months Here Mr.. Albert Fair
child saw her, admired her, aad ended by
loving her devoutly. Satisfied by her BEAU
|ty and excellence, Albert offered her bis
hand; but she said, ''Yo GU must come and
see me at my home and become acquainted
| with my parents before exacting an engage
ment from me; for it may be you will not
like them, and it is possible they may not
fancy you; in either case should hesitate to
accept your gracious Offer
Miss Marvin had returned to Pekin, and
now Albert was intending to visit her fami.
ly, confident that Josephine was inclined to
favor his suit, and blessed with a tolerable
good opinion Of himself, which told him the
Marvins would not probably object to either
his station or his personal appearance AL
bert set out on his journey with excellent
spirits.
The first forty miles of his journey Albert
accomplished in the space Of two hours -
At small town he found himself compell-
ed to wait for coach to convey him to the
village Of Pekin
Impatient to proceed, Albert became ILL
humored, and grumbled at the delay. To
while away the time, he drank cup of cof-
fee, eat penny's worth of peanuts, read
few paragraphs in paper, and walked the
parlor floor of tae inn with the most impati-
ent strides.
care you going to Pekin ?" asked quick
voice. .....
Albert glanced at the speaker, who was a
middle aged gentleman in loose drab coat
a we'll developed waistcoat of worn and ia
ded velvet, h:t that had evidently been
used for years, and who presented rough
and careless appearance altogether.
Albert had one fault, which is common
with passengers. If an unknown pers on
asked him question in the politest manner
he was sure to answer shortly, or give no
answer. Moreover, Albert's motto, when
travelling, was every one for himself" and
this be made his rule of action. A proposal
to put himself out Of the way to accommo.
date stranger he would have ridiculed as
the heig of absurdity.
Knowing this disposition in our hero, the
reader will not be surprised that Albert, in
stead Of giving a simple afirma tive answer,
OR even response We nod, regarded the
rough-looking man moment, and passed
on witho ut word.
But the old gentleman with the drab coat
and faded velvet waistcoat, in spite Of his
rough appearance, evidently possessed pa
tient and good natured disposition. which
was not so easily disturbed. Without ap-
pearing to notice Albert's incivility, h.
quietly remarked, as he came in his way a.
gain
'Y on are going to Pekin, I should
judge?'
''What if I am % growed Albert.
ooh. nothing" answered tho old gentle
man, with good-natured smile" only I'd
advise you to book your name for seat in
the stage at once, if you have not done SO;
for [ have no doubt but there will be half
a dozen more passengers than the coach can
accom- modate."
Albert had not booked his name, and he
ought to have thanked the old gentleman for
his suggestion. So far, however, from man
itesting any sense of obligation. he replied
with an insulting Hem aud abruptly
turned upon his heel.
Albert found there was but one seat in
the stage coach left unengaged, and that
outside; he had scarcely booked his name,
when two other gentlemen came up in haste
manifesting much disappointment on learn
ing there was no room for them in the next
stage. Albert was therefore fully conscious
that he owed his chance to the old gentle
L IL ~ -