The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-05-31
A G III A L l. E N G e,
ND WHAT CAAIE: OF 1T.
BT ANNA NJ. LAWSON

ANNA LAWSON
Two young ladies-both very handsome
were sitting together IN an elegant paIior one
bright May afternoon. Their names were Eva
Darcy and Florence Cary.
The former was the young mistress of the
house, and the latter her most intimate friend
They were like sisters to each other, and
shared every thing In common.
Eva had recently engaged herself TO n young
IN named Frederick Lee: and, rs the ladies
were wholly unreserved in their friendly in
tercourse, the brtro thment was now The NIB
ject OF conversation.
81 have heard it said that Mr.. Lee is p3rsi-
monious, even miseriy 80 remarked Florence,
with privileged freedom; land in that case,
Eva, you viii lead a most sorry life. ] ain no
advocate for extravaganza or improv .dence,
but Il stiDgy man is almost invariably a ty
rant, and 10y no means the proper person to
make n woman happy"
81 agree with you in that, Florence - re-
sponded Eva, "but most mphatiraliy deny
the application in the case. Frederick is care
ful and economical, | admit-for he has Il
laudable ambition TO get ahead III the world
but nothing more; and / would far rather
have him that way than be made TO feel that
he was more generous than just, more free
than wise "
why, Eva, Fred. Lees stinginess is pro-
Verbal among All the yonEg men OF his ac-
quain tancat' exclaimed Florence. ~ have
heard several speak OF IL in no mpimentary
terms"
Indeed ~ responded Eva; land did they
say In what consisted his stinginess ?"
"Certainiy. my dear; he's never ready 70
spend as others do, TejJined Florence, quick
ly- - Those may not be the exact words, but
III ~ WAS what At amounted to-
But that does not constitute stinginess, i"
said Eva, calmly. ''If he will not sqGander
his limited means in idle and useless dis, ipa-
ton, he Is more prudent than parsimon ious
aud far more deserving of credit Than CensuTe
Mr. Lee enjoys himself in All reasonable and
rational ways, l feel certain and is never
close handed when the call is Of a deserving
CHI trteter. Nor is he at all backward in cou-
tributing to the enjoyment Of his lady friends
as you yourself well know. But, let me AZ k
question, FIorence-probabIy that will
throw some light on the subject. Does Mr.
Lee accept any tayors from his friends which
he does not show 81 Willingness to Tecipro-
eater"
'oh, no he neither gives nor receives and
makes it Il practice 10 refuse all invitations to
participate III those pleasures generally so
congenial 20 young men of his age
Then il seems that Mr.. Lees stinginess is
but Il misunderstanding between himself and
his friends in regard to the true meaning of
the word, said Eva, with unGisturbed stre-
nifty. His friends think that because he
Will not consent 10 treat and be treated'-I
believe those are the terms, my dear-be-
cause he will not actually sQuander his
means and iulure himself both in body and
reputation, that he is singy; and he thinks
differently, aud with true, manly indepen-
cehce, conducts himself according TO his own
impressions. Isn't that just so, Ftorenca?''
"Well, yes. perhaps ii ~: but still he mig I
be Il little more sOcia II and liberal, and vet not
hurt himself Aud il don't follow, Fl ther
that he must become really dissipated, as you
s:em 10 lhtuk, Eva. Now, for my part,
ieel certain there must be some thing IN IL
more than We can see, or such report would
never have got IN to circulation. Stiil, L have
nothing TO charge ag inst Mr.. Lee, myself
aud wouldn' [ have you think tor anything.
] speak only for your own good, my dear
SLmgy men always We're my aversion, how
ever, and Id hundredtold rather die an Old
M id han link my tate with one who bears
4
"AnI 50 would |, Florence ~ earnestly re-
sponded Eva ''bnt i think you are mistaken
in regard To AR. Lee and fancy, you have
been led astray by others who do not properly
appreciate his motives
And, suppose, you think that you do I'M
derstand him ~
Il hope SO; anu, to prove my words I'll
mfka you challenge"
We'll, III, DEAR what is it like? I'm opeE
TO conviction and therefore, agree 10 any
thing reasonable
AT that moment something abe ut the per
. son OF Florence appeared 10 attract Eyas
par ticuiir attention.
''N hat II 1t, EvaG' inquired Miss CARY in =
stantty noticing the circumstance.
what beautiful new bracelet YOU have
got.' responded Eva. LET me look at it,
A giit IRON papa, / suppose -
'On, no; Dick Freely gave mo that wi III
papa's consent, OF course
Richard Freely, II may be well TO remark,
en- pdsS"nt, was generally looked upon AS
most acceptable sutton.
"Ot course" said Eva. "And so Dick
Freely made you present OF this'' she
added, turning the baube over aud over
at is very handsome, and must have cost
nifty dollars, al least. Dick is very gener-
Gus"
Just as free as water, my dear, And,
IKE me, Dck hates stingy people most con-
sumeaiy."
"He hates Mr.. Lee. then ~ rejoined Eva,
as she handed the glittering. bracelet back to
her friend.
hn To hi Ey, I.,- 80,
exclaimed Florence, IN Il drprecatrng manner.
Ike thinks him very close, though, aud very
queer, too, Tor young man"
well, must say Mr.. Lee never goes 10
such leng this as thar; nevertheless q be will
ing 10 make You a handsome present If, upon
trial, my Fred should not display the most
real charity
II accept the wager, Eva" rejoined Flor
ence; mot out OF any particular dislike TO MIR.
Lee,nor from any especial regard tor Mr.. Free
iy, but simply with view TO test the young
gentlemen and satisfy ourselves. But how
shall the trial ba made p
"i'ii tell you, said Eva, who forthwith en-
tered into a full description of her little plan.
Fred" she added IN conclusion, twill be
here THIS evening, and We can put him TO the
test at once'
$50 can my dear"
Tue sceue changes
Just about dusk of the sumo day on which
Eva ana Florence held the above men toned
conversation, Two line looking, ndsomeiy-
tfed young men accidentally met toge Their on
tue toib"r OF cross Streets Il lew sQ uares dis
tAnt from the residence of the first mentioned
young lady They Were Frederick Lee and
Ri' hard Freely
They stopped, shook hands, and passed the
usaai stereoty ped compliments
II suppose you're going to Miss Darcy's
Lee 7" said Freely -
y am, DICK, was the quiet reply
Il III bound there, TOO INV fine iat,ow, T
cropped Al TO see Miss Cary awhile ago ana
was told that l should fluid her AL Miss n, -
~ ., whittier was vending my way when
we entnced TO meet. Fine girls, both DON,
you ,hink so, Lee p Don
II do Dick"
" Excuse me. Lee; but, now, dom, vor
really think Miss Darcy seems a little TOO old
fashioned, a trife too prim Yn
Not to my eyes. Dick. though she may t,
some Others 80
We'll, suppose, We don't all OF us sc,
alike"
mo, that's true :" responded Lee with al
almost imperceptible smile.
AT that moment, two poorly, illy-clad fe
males, win their faces closely IN IA filed In old
ragged moods, came around the corner an
Matted ia close proximity 10 the Young men
One walked with a cane, and leaned upon the
arm Oh the other, and both looked poverty
stricken enough IN all conscience
"Charity, gentlemen" exclaimed the out
who WAS supporting the other, and who au
peared 10 be the younger OF the two
The tones OF her voice were sad and husky