Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-11-19
SELECTED STORY.
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from the New York Ledger
John DANVILLE'S VOCATION.
BY NELLIE EMES.

"Severed your engagement, Lena what
for ?" 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
ewes of her young companion. But the
heavily curtained lids faithfully guarded
whatever of pride, petulance, or real feeling
her aAectionate relative sought to discover.
II thought you loved John Danvllle,"
continued the old lady, mildly; ''and |
really thought you both were above what are
called lovers spats." -
s"We have had no quarrel, grandma p
And now Miss Lena played with the tassel
of her dressing-gown little nervously
"You see John has been unfortunate
made some ridiculous speculations-sunk
several 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 Inc with his own
lips; and what do you think, Grandma
Tracy ?" And now the finged lids were
lifted, and, the brown eyes flashed the in
dignation with which her soul was filled. "He
would not take single dollar. He said he
had lost one fortune gam5zimg-thats wha
he called his stock jobbing operation-anc
he would risk no more. just think, ano
his father a millionaire And to cap the
climax, insists that he always had taste
for architectural pursuits, civil ngineering
or some other plebeian, outlandish trade
and the other evening had the impudence t.
inform me of his change Of plan"
"Welp'-and Grandma removed hel
glasses, and wiped them carefully with thu
hem of her apron-"what then 2"
"Why I told him-of course [ did-tha
I considered myself extremely fortunate il
having discovered the existence Of such low
qualities in the man I had selected for com
panion before it was too late. To disgrace
his own family, if he had mind |; that
should make it impossible for him to cast {
shadow of reproach upon mine. by with
drawing from the engagement"
eyes" said Grandma still calmly; "ane
what then %
"Oh, nothing more," said Lena. III
simply remarked, GAS you please, Mis-
Tracy" bowed very politely, and walked
out"
There was depth of bitterness in Grand
mas voice, and sarcastic curl to the well
cut lips, as she replied:
Elena Travels, for the grand-daughtel
of bootmaker on one side of the house ant
carpenter on the other, and the daughter
of a man who spent all the first years of hi
life type-setting, you have made most eyre
gious fool of yourself! Have you not sense
enough to see that it is the qualities, not the
profession or the surroundings, that maxi
the man? You will live to regret this, ane
[ hope shall live to see it,
"Why, Grandma !' And Lena opened hcl
big brown eyes in amazement.
eyes, I do !" continued the old lady, nov
thoroughly aroused-all the Spartan in hel
nature awakened by the injustice she hat
Just heard described. II expect it will take
some pretty tough discipline to make you
understand the difference between real ane
sham nobility but the time aoiW come-noV
mark my words when you will give NOR
for the love of such man as John Danvlll
than all the style and position that the aristo
cracy and wealth of the world could produce
Lena knew that early in life her father hal
learned the trade Of compositor, but neve
before been informed of the extremely 'plc
beian' business of her grandparents. lie
thoughts were certainly not of the pleasant
est description, as she went over the CONVEX
sation Of the morning, but she renewed he
vow that never, under any circumstances
would she marry man whose occupatlo
did not harmonic with her ideas of caste an
responsibility.
IAN architect!" she repeated bitterly
1.-THE idea of mig husband measuring blocks
and climbing ladders, and wearing Of
clothes! Grandma Tracy has gone mad
Grandma Tracy is perfectly sound i
the upper story yet" said the old lady, VIII
i had entered the room softly in search OF he
e glasses; 'and her memory is just as perte'
: as at twenty. Why, Lena, can remembf
when your Grandfather Tracy came hon
from his work every evening at six alwaJ
bringing an armful of wood for the nel
!, day use. And I can remember too, that the:
: days were quite as happy as when, later
: life, we were enabled, on account OF tn
early industry, to live without work"
II really hope, Grandma" said Len'
/ with some bitterness, "that you will kee
: those recollections to yourself. l am SUI
) I never knew before that Grandpa Irae
> was mechanic"
IT never care to talk much about mysel
Lena" replied Grandma, s'for old wome
q often become garrulous and egotlstlcal,