South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1867-04-12
Dayton and Company.
Dimes and dollars, dollars and dimes,
An empty pocket, The wors, Of crimes.

Neston, salu VT. Dayton 10 one OF his
clerks, as they were alone in the spaeiou.
counting room which Was attached to the
large store Of which Mr.. ID. was proprietor,
give me leave to say do not think you dress
| sufficiently centeei to appear clerk to
fashionable store
a deep flush suffused the face Of the Young
man, and in spite of his endeavers to re,
press tear glistened in his black eye. Did
not know your salary was sufficient to pro.
cure more gentecl haLiliments, | would in
crease it,
My salary Is amply large, sir replied
Weston, with a modified air, but with that
proud independence of feeling which even
poverty had not been able to dvest him.
'Oblige me, then, by changing your up.
pearance in the future. You are wanted in
the store
Weston turned and left his employer, who
muttcred TO himself as he took up the pa
per. How do detest these parsimonious
fellows
Mr.. Dayton was man cfimmcnse wealth.
He was wdower and had but one child, a
daughter, who was the pride of his declin-
ing years. She was good as an angel, as
beautiful az she was good. She was simple
in her taste and appearance. Such was
Laura Dayton when Weston May first be-
came an intimate friend at her father house
and what wonder that he soon learned to
love her, with deep and ardent affection.
Though their tongues never gave uttcrance
to what their hearts felt, yet the language
OF her eyes was not TO be mistaken Yves.
ton was the very soul Of honor, and although
he perceived with pleasure that he must not
be distasteful to her, still he must conquer
, the passion that glowcd III his heart
Il must not win her heart he said to him.
self | ain pcnniless, and her father would
not consent to>our union Thus reasoned.
and thus he manfully cndcavored to subdue
what he considered an Inflated passion
Laura had many suitors and some OF
them were worthy, of her, but she refused
them all with gentle yet decisive frmncss
Her father was in the decline of life, and
wished to sec her happily settled ere he de-
parted from this world 1t was not long
before he surniscd that young Weston was
the cause Of her Indifference to others The
pleasure which she took in bearing him
praised the blush which maptlcd her face
when their eyes met, served 70 convince the
old gentleman that they took more than
common interest in each other Iefurborc
to make any remark on the subject, aud was
not di.pleascd at the thought as W cston
iulagincd he would be.
Weston May had now been three years in
his employ. Mr.. Dayton knew nothing of
his family, but his strict integrity, good NOR
al and pleasing manners, consprcd to make
him esteemed. He placed unboundcd con-
fdcncc in him. lie wished him to dress ~
well ss others and often wondered at the
scsntiness of his wardrobe-for although
Weston dressed with the most scrupulUus
regard to pcatncss, his clothes were almost
threadbarc, which old Mr.. Dayton thought
proceeded from a niggardly disposition,
and, addressed him on the subject, as before
related.
Soon after this conversation, Mr. Dayton
left home on business. As be was riding
through pretty village he alightcd at the
door of cottage and requested a drink of
water. The mistress, with an easy politencss
which told that she had not always been the
humble cottager, invited him TO enter lie
complied, and a scene Of poverty and neat
ness met his gaze which he had never before
witnessed. The furniture consisted Of
nothing more than was actually necessary,
was 50 clean and neat that IL cast an air Of
comfort around. A venerable old man sat
at the window with his staff in his hand
His clothes were old and so patched that
! they seemed a counterpart Of Jos,ph's coat
Of many colors
This is your father, presume said he,
addressing her:
III Is, SIR"
lie seems quite aged
lie is in his eighty third year, and has
survived al his children but myself
Have you always resided here
NO sir; my husband was once wealthy; but
endorsing ruined him, and We were reduced
I tn this state. lie soon after diel aud two OF
his children followed him
Have you any children living"
fOuo air, who Is my only support. My
own health is 20 feeble that cannot do much,
and father being blind and deaf needs great
deal Of attention. Ny son will not tell me
bow much is salary is but am sure he sends
me nearly all oft
Then nc is not NJ home"
/ 'No, sir; he is a clerk in New York
/ Indeed Pray what is his name ?
Weston May
Weston May Il l. impossible WHY
be is my clerk left him in charge Of my
store two weeks ago
Explanations followed and Mr. Dayton
left, promising her 20 call some other time.
Noble fellow said be mentally, as he was RI
ding slowly along& Eliminating the call.
Noble fellow believe he loves my girl,
and may have her and a part Of my money,
too Let me see, here he fell into a think