Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-02-02
Gales, Shsttbts, ett.
THE TEST OF CHARACTER.

see you IN the library a moment this morn
ingl'
Certainly, my dear, am at your COM
mand now,' and he led the way into the
room.
He helped his niece to an arm chair and
took a seat opposite her.
'Uncle,' said Julia, with little becoming
confusion, Il have received an Offer.
'Whew" exclaimed her Uncle; that is
coming to the point with a vengeance
'And wish to consult you as to accepting
1t or not.' -a.ss statin,
"A very sensible resolution. May | know
from whom the offer has been re ceivedl'
Edward Fitztoy.'
you havn't known him very long,
'Not-very,' said Julia slowly.
But you think you know all about him, ]
dare say. Are you very much in love with
himl'
Not desperately answered Juiia smiling
ly. AT the same time confess tina, am
strongly prepossessed in his favor
'And this Prepossession is liley to become
u warm sentiment. Well, my little niece,
as you have requested my advice, 1 will give
it. do Lot object to this lover OF yours.
Indeed know nothing against him. But
then know too little Of him at any rate to
be able to form deliberate opinion of his
charsc ter. 1t mistake not thi. 10 also your
case: Now it is my theory that no woman
ought to marry unless she is sufficiently well
acquainted with her intended husband to
have a pretty confident assurance Of leading
happy life with him. therefore counsel
you to delay giving your answer for month,
and in that time ! will contrve to become
better acquainted with him.
Your advice said Julia, thougbtfully lis
good and will follow'it.'
Thank you,' said her uncle kindly, for
the confidence you have ;eposed in my iudg-
menl. | merely hope that the young man
will prove to be all that we can DESIRE
Edward Fitzroy was in business in the
neighbofing city. He had embarked small
property inherited from his father, in dry
goods establishment on Washington street,
aud having good bus mess tact, was driving
tlourishing trade. His acquaintance with
our heroine had commenced during sum-
mer residence at the village which she made
her home. 1t was not strange that he should
have been attracted by Julia. Her gayety,
vivaciiysaud beau;y made her generally ad-
mired, and had anything else been requisite,
the reputation of being her uncle's heiress
would have procured her suitors. But it is
not necessary TO dwell further on this point
in our story. We are Interested to know
how Uncle Henry's plan succeeded.
He first made cautions inquiries relative
to the youig mans business standing, al OF
which were answered salts factorily. But
this did not satisfy him. He wished to see
for himscf. Accordingly he purchased
suit Of clothing SO different from that which
he was accustomed to wear that with pair
of green goggess super added he fels con-
vinced would disguise him sufficiently for his
purpose. Thus atlired he louuged into the
store, and inquired for some trtling article
He was pu-posely very slow in being sdi,ed
Meanwhile he watched with some attention
the bearing of Fi'zroy, who was trading
with fashonably atlired lady at little
distance, Nothing could abe-more polite
and obsequious than the conduct of the
young tradesman. With unweared assiduity
he took down from the shelves and displayed
large stock of merchandise until the fasiid-
ious tuste Of the lady was at length suited
'He is attentive to his customers thought
Unc'e Henry. That is good sign. But
perhaps it may be simply because she is
rich and fashionable. Here's Customer OF
a different kind. Let me see how he treats
her.
Afthis tnorirnt woman very poorly
dressed, with worn aud weary expression
as il she we're better acquainted with the
dark than the bright side of life, entered the
door aud advanced to the counter. The
afable smile which Fitzroy had worn in his
interview with the last customer disappca-ed,
and in it's place was seen supercilious
glance.
4 wonld like to look at some calicoes,
said the customer.
Here are some said Fitzroy curtly, and
he pointed 10 a pile which lay on the coun
ter.
He .did not stir from his posi,ionj but
gazed at the woman with an air that seemed
to her patronage.
win you show me some OF them! asked
the woman mildly.
There they are ma'an; you can see them
Tor yourself
what is the price OF this' she inquired
looking at the one which lay at the top.
'Nirepence yard
q don't altogether like the fgure,' she
said after pause.
Don't you, replied Fitzroy indifierently.
The customer began to examine some of
the other prints. OF course on doing SO she
was obliged to disarrange them somewhat
Don't pull them to pieces, said Fitzroy,
rudely. There isn't much difference in
them. You'd better take the first that
comes. How much did you want
Ten yards
well you had better let me cut it off
quick as can't stand here waiting on one
customer all day.
Thus inportuned the woman hastily indi- |
Gated one OF the prints and the quantity was
measured of. Change was hastily made
and the woman departed. Her place was
taken by wealthy lady like the first, the |
IL II al