Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-11-01
THTgUINED MERCHANT.


THERUINED MERCHANT
Mr.. Stanley had heen asuccessful mcr-
chant.,9s4Ic began life with nothing but
an excellent education, and with no means
but in his untiring diligence and sterling
honesty, worked his way up in the world
until he stood foremost in wealth and Sta
tion. He had only one child-a daughter.
Hi, wift, had died When her child was
four or five years cd. !Ienever married
after, for he cherished -ihc: c:mernory Of. his
loved wife, sand wished not to have her
place filed by another.
Florence Stanley at the tine Of which
we write was nine,een-a ji2yous, laugh
ter.lovingsgirls Size was a.insdium height
and her golden hair tell in ripling waves
over her snowy shoulders. Her blue eyes
would. dance With nierrincnt and the dim
pies would "I,lay hide and seek" with
the roses in her checks. As may be
supposed, she had plenty Of suitors, some
attracted by her beauty, some by her
wealth, and others loved her for herself.
But of all her suitors there were only two
for whom she really cared, and both were
handsome, accomplished and wealthy. She
was undecided in her mind which she
loved best.-IIer kind, thoughtful father
saw the ouahdary she was in, and deter
mined to assist her oil that lay in his
power. 50
At length rumors were aaoat that Mr..
Stanley had failed; and in few days the
splendid home was abandoned, and re-
moved TO small house in less fashion :
ble part of the city. Mr.. Stanley had
broken the news gently to his daughter,
aud told her she would be deprived of the
luxuries to which she had been accus-
toned but the noble hearted girl threw
her arms around his neck, and embracing
him said:
81 am not deprived Of yon, my father,
and with you can be happy"
"But my own Flory. your friends and
admirers will possibly pass you by, and
you will be coldly treated by those who
are now your equals.
It was a hard lesson to learn, and the
tears welled up into her beautiful eyes
but.she struggled brarely and said, "Let
it be so then. Lam able to stand it, and
smiling through her tears, added, and
then we shall know who ere true friends
and who are not; hut should all forsake
MS we still have each other to love, my
father
Mr.. Stanley claspei his noble daughter
to his heart and thanked God for his
treasure.
The two suitors for who, as we men.
toned, Florence had a regard, were Harry
Lenox and Gerald Ellerslie. The manner
IN which the news of MIR. Stanley's fail
ure affected them We shall shortly see.
Mr.. Lenox was in the reading-room of a
hotel, and was looking carelcssly over the
morning papers, when the announcement
Of MIR. Stanley's failure attracted his.
attention. ~ q
',The deuce!a he exclaimed, ,a who
would have thought is2 I am gladI
have not committed myself, as / thought
of doing. Pity Florence, though, for She
is confounded pretty girl ]" and with
this he dismissed all thoughts Of her.
On the afternoon of the same day
lady was walking slowly down the fash
ionable promenade, when she heard quick
steps behind her, and soon she. was joined
by a,gentleman. a, lie was tall and hand.
some, with dark laughing eyes and the
raven locks clustered thickly around the
broad, intellectual forehead.
"Good evening, Miss Leighton he said
"Good evening, Dir. Ellcrslie." she.
answers d, looking quickly up, "when did
you get in from the country" ~
" ! arrived in town this afternoon" he
answered. z'set
"Then you hare heard the news, pre-,
sumo o. r.
"What news?" he said s,,-'eet
"Mr. Stanley has srbrokcn up" she said
and seeing the look Of astonishment on I,
her companions face, added, sit was en-.
,irely unexpected by ahepubiic, believe."
at was not long since he was speaking
about his business TO me- flor to tell the
truth, dr. Stanley approved of MIR. Ei.4
Ierslies suit. and would have been better
pleased with BIN than any of her other
suiiots, and said it'was never more pros.
porous than now. Do you know where
they have moved 2"
aIheata the name Of the street." she
answered.
"Most likelys you will be calling on
her, and, if sosplease bear my respects to- !
Miss ard Mr.. Stanley, and tell them
another business ngagement.will prevent
nae from seeing theTn," -
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