Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-06-25
SELECT Ed STONY
EDGAR AsHTON's REFORM;
Bereavement a Blessing.
BY o. AUGUSTA CHENEY.

Poor Helen Ashton How much l pity
her She looks sad enough, don't you think
she does
"I'o you refer to the lady dressed in black
who is just passing?
Yes" replied Mrs. Blakely ':She was
formerly Il schoolmate of mine-and fine
scholar When she graduated she stood first
in her class, and had the valedictory. Her
father was wealthy, and every wish Of hers
was gratifed. Soon after she left school,
her mother died, and Helen felt her loss
very much. Her fathers business kept him
from home great deal, and she suffered
much from loneliness"
"But had she no school friends or associ.
ate %
Eyes; she was quite intimate with Amy
Green, who was a class-mate of hers. And
it was while visiting her that she met Edgar
Ashton"
Were not his habits good? Or what
were the objections to him p
mo; his habits were not good He was
a clerk in Cladwell's store at that time. Sew
eral times deficit was discovered in the
money drawer, and although the matter was
investigated nothing was discovered to ex-
plain it, and finally it was supposed that il
was a mistake on the part Of the cashier +"
II should think that young Ashton could
not have continued that course long with
out being discovered.
Zone would hardly believe SO. But for
two years before he left the store, he was
accustomed to spend large sums at the bill
lard hall. People wondered whose money
form his employer, and he was ignorant Of
that fact"
''How long was he employed in the storcY'
Nearly three years, think. And it was
while he was in the store that Helen became
acquainted with him. AS [ said before, she
first met him at the house of her friend, but
afterwards, she saw him often at the store. y
''Was her father aware of her intimacy
with him %
ono; he knew nothing of it until after
they were engaged. He felt very much dis
turbed, and talked very seriously with Helen
but she would not believe anything against
her lover, and thought her father was pre-
JUDGED against him."
Il should think her father would have
forbidden her seeing him."
''He thought of doing so, but felt that it
would be unwise, as, if young people were
engaged and determined to marry, it would
only lead to an elopement, which would ma
turally cause an estrangement between the
families, and after his wife's death Mr.. Moul-
| toms affections centered on Helen, who was
his only child''
''But what became of young Ashton after
he left the store %
''He entered another store, and remained
there year, and while there he and Helen
were married.
odd they remain at her fathers after
wards, OR go to housekeeping ?"
''Helen did not wish to remain at home.
She knew there were no sympathy between
her father and husband, and felt that there
would be restraint upon her actions which
she did not wish to feel. So they took a
small house, and her father furnished it for
them"
He was very kind to do that, when he
objected to the marriage"
''And it was quite fortunate for Helen
that he did so, for her husband was not worth
hundred dollars when they were married"
Chow long did he remain at the store af-
ter their marriage ?"
"About five months, I think. After he
left there, he found a situation in an oyster
saloon and drinking place, much to Helen's
sorrow. From that time his course mas
been downward, and one who had not seen
Helen since her school days would not be
likely to recognize her in the pale and sor-
rowful woman who has just passed"
''Have they any children p
"Two, girl of twelve, and boy Of ten
Il am quite interested in Mrs Ashton,
and should be glad to become acquainted
with her."
'That would be difficult matter, for she
has become quite reserved, and makes few
calls. She endeavors to make home cheer
full for her husband, who has, judging from
what hear, become quite Incorporate. ;"
'slt was indeed true, as Mrs. Blakely had
said, that Mr.. Ashton was becoming quite
Incorporate. In vain did his wife try to
persuade him to pass his evenings at home.
''Its too dull to stay at home all the time
he said in reply to her solicitations. Gone
wants little change now and then. The
Club meets tonight, and [ promised Willis
I'd be there. I would not disappoint him. "
"But, you know, to- day is Jennie's birth
day And promised that we would have
little candy frolic all by ourselves. She'll
be so disappointed. She has been asking me
every day this week if I thought you would
stay at home with us for this one evening"
Mr.. Ashton hesitated He was very fond
of his child, who had always been feeble
She was pale and thin, evidently she was
sinking into consumption But then came
the thought that he had promised to be there
and if they should inquire, as they would be
sure to, why he was absent, how could he
say that he stayed at home for child's can
dy frolic. :,
II am sorry to disappoint her." he said
s'but can't stay tonight. | daresay, how,
ever, some other time will do just as well"
Mrs Ashton said no more. She felt that
it would he useless When she told the
child that her father could not be with them
nd NOT