Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-09-23
CHARIESTOWN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 1863
Love, a Giver.
You're a selfish man !"

face, and a fame that was not Of love in the
bright eyes.
If the soft hand, laid so trustingly in his
scarcely three minutes before, had struck him
stunning blow Alfred Williston could not
have been more surprised or hurt Selfish !!
1t was the first time that sin had been laid at
his door. " He's generous fellow" The
most unsclfshman alive" There's not mean
trait in his character Such things had been
said of him over and over again and repeated
in his ears by partial and interested friends,
until be almost believed himself the persona
ton of unselfshness, and now to be called =" a
selfish man" by the sweet rosebud mouth that
looked as if only made for kisses; to be called
"a selfish man" by her to whom he had given
all he had in the world-himselfi into the bar
gain No wonder Alfred Williston stood
dumb before his pretty wife.
The accusation was made, and for good or
evil it must stand No TAXI. 8 back Of words
could take back their meaning. You're a
selfish man " had been cut by sharply uttered
tones deep into his memory, and there would
remain. lie did not attempt to meet the
charge; to have done 50 would have been felt
as a degradation.
Good morning" dropped coldly from his
lips, and he went away without offering his
usual parting kiss. 1t was showery at home
and cloudy at the Office for greater part Of
the forenoon.
Whats the matter, my friend? You look
as sober as a Judge on sentence day" remarked
an acquaintance who called upon Williston.
"Look about as l feel" was modify an
swcrcd
"Heigh-ho moon in the rainy quarter al
ready ?" rejoincd the visitor familiarity, with
sly, provoking laugh.
Williston turned his face partly aside, that
its expression might be concealed.
Sunshine and shower-Summcr and Win
ter; you will have these alterations like the
rest of mankind, and learn to bear them with
philosophy.
"Do you thinl, me very selfish man, Ed
ward asked Williston, turning upon his friend
a serious face.
"Selfsh 0 dear, no mot very selfish. Ihave
heard you called themost generous fellow alive.
But we're all more or less selfish, you know
born so, and can't help it unless we try harder
than it is agreeable to most people. There
was time when had very good opinion oI
myself as touching things; but grow less and
less satisfied every day, and am settling down
into tho conclusion that I'm no better than my
neighbors
"Well. l despise a selfish man. He's the
meanest creature alive" Williston spoke with
a glow of Indignation.
Hes mean just in the degree that he's sell
fish replied the friend, "and as we're all more
or less mean don't see how VIC can get away
from the conclusion"
/ Willistou knit his brows like one annoyed ol
| pcrplcxed.
HAS anybody called you selfish" asked
the friend.
"Ycs."
"Wby? The little darling at home ? LA
| I see it, That's the trouble.
The young husbands deepening color be
trayed the fact.
"shc called you selfish? Ha! Good fo
Margery not afraid to give things their righ
name. | always knew she was a girl ofspIrit
Selfish! That's interesting. And did yol
really fancy that you were unsolfsh..?.
This halr-in-sport, half-in-earnest speecl
had the effect intended. \ slight glimpse 0
himself, as seen by another's eyes, gave vii
liston a new impression and let in doubt as t
his being altogether perfect.
"And you think me selfish? ?' he said, in
tone ofsurprise. "Wcn guess there's been
new dictionary published of late"
CAS- far as this word is concerned, the hear
is the most reliable dictionary. If you wis
to get the true definition look down into you
heart, replied the friend.
"My cyesare not, perhaps, as sharpas yours,
said Williston; Il don't fud the definition
there"
" May be can help you to clearer vision.-
Why did you marry Margy?'
Because loved her"
d" Are you quite sure?' said his friend, wit
provoking calmness.
"Take care Edward l shall get angry
"Ob, no. You're too sensible and too we
poised for that. Answer my question. Ar
you quite sure?
Gas sure as death.
"Its my opinion you married because 20
loved yourself more than You did Marcy
"Now this goes beyond all endurance" cz
claimed Wiliston Is there conspiracy a
gainst me ?"
Gently, gently, my friend. The mind
never clear when disturbed You loved Man
ev. there is no doubt in the world about that
loved her and do love her very dearly. But
your love unselfsh? That is the great quet
ton now at issue. \ boy loves a ripe peacl
!. and climbs after it that he may enjoy its aavo
In what did your love for Marcy differ froI
this boys love for the peach? Was it to bic
the sweet maiden-to give her yourself-tha
you sought her with lovers ardor; or w
10 hless rnnrself9 Did Won think how muc