The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-11-18
John Danville's Vocation.
BY NELLIE EMEs.


Severed your engagement, Lena what
for r. and there was a depth of sadness in
the tones of Grandma Tracy's voice as she
looked, or attempted to look, in the dark
eyes Of her young companion. But the heav-
lily curtained lids faithfully guarded what
ever of pride petulauce, or real feeling her
affectionate relative sought to discover.
81 thought you loved John Danville," con-
tinued the old lady. mildly !; "and really |
thought you both above what are called loy-
ers spats.' !"
I'VE have had no quarrel, grandma y
And now Miss Una played with the tassel
of her dressing-gown little ncrvously.
"You see John has been unfortunate
made some ridiculous speculation sunk sew
eral thousand dollars which his uncle left
him. Well, his father heard Of his misfor-
tune, and offered to advance him any sum he
desired. This John told me with his own
lips and what do yon think, Grandma Ira
cy p And now the frnged lids were lifted,
and the brown eyes flashed the indignation
with which her sonl was filed. "Ile would
not take single dollar. He said he had
lost one fortune gambhng-ttots what he
called his stock jobbing operation-and he
would risk no more. Just think, and his
father millionaire And to cap thtclimax
insists that he always had a taste for archi-
tectural pursuits, civil engineering, or some
plebeian outlandish trade, and the other
evening had the impudence to inform me Of
his change of plan"
"WeP-aud Grandma removed her glass
es, and wiped them carefully with the hem Of
her apron-s'what then 7"
"Wby told him-of course did-tEat
+ considered myself extremely fortunate in
having discovered the existence Of such low
qualities in the man had selected for COM
panion before it was too late. To disgrace his
own family, if he had a mind that would
make it impossible for him to cast shadow
of reproach upon mine, by Withdrawing
from the engagement" s e.
eyes" said Grandma still calmly; 'sand
what them" y e
ooh, nothing more" said Lena He sim
ply remarked, .sAs you please, Miss Tracy z
bowed very politely, and walked out
'Lena Travels, for the grand daughter Of
bootmaker on one side OF the house and
carpenter on the other, and the daughter Of a
man who spent all the first years Of his life
type setting, you have made most egregri-
GUS fool of yourself! Have you not sense
enough to see that it is the qualities, not the
profession or the surroundings, that make
the MANI You will live to regret this, and
hope shall live TO see it,"
aWhy, Grandma J" And Lena opened her
big brown eyes in abatement.
eyes, l do p continued the old lady
now thoroughly aroused-all the Spartan IN
her nature awakened by the injustice she had
heard described. II expect it will take som.
pretty tough discipline to make you under.
stand the difference between real and sham
nobility but the time aciW come-now marx
nv words when you will give more fol
the love of such man as John Danvllle
than all the style and position that the arts
tocracy and wealth Of the world could pro
| duce."
Lena knew that in early life her father had
learned the trade Of a compositor, but hae
never before been informed Of the extremely
splebeian' business of her grandparents. Hel
! thoughts we're certainly not of the pleasant
est description, as she went over the converse
tion Of the morbing, but she renewed hel
VOW that never, under any circumstances
would she marrya man whose occupation dit
not harmonize with her ideas OF caste ane
responsibility. :.
dan architect she repeated bitterly
"The idea of my husband measuring blocks
and climbing ladders, and wearing old clothes
Grandma Tracy has gone mad Y
| "Grandma Tracy is perfectly sound in tn
; upper story yet said the old lady, who hae