The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-11-18

glasses and her memory is Just as perfect
as at twenty. Why Lena, l can remember
when your Grandfather Tracy came home
from his work every evening at six-always
bringing an armful of wood for the next
davis use. And l can remember too, that
these days were quite as happy as when, la
ter in life, we were enabled. on account Of
this early industry, to live without work"
II really hope, Grandma" said Lena
with some bitterness, s'that you will keep
those recollections to yourself. I am sure
never knew before that Grandpa Tracy was a
| mechanic"
s.I never care to talk much about myself,
Lena" replied Grandma, 'for old women Of
fen become garrulous and egotistical, on ac-
9 aunt of being compelled to live SO much in
the past; but had ever supposed that you
could have considered his house carpenter
ina disgraceful you would have been shocked
long ago. And now shall spare no opportu-
nifty to enlighten your friends. Lena Tracy,
I am ashamed Of you. y
81 will keep pretty clear Of grandma in So
| ciety," was Lena's- mental ejaculation and
tie old lady, more excited than her grand
daughter had ever seen her, walked stifay
from the room. s,
Whether Lena's heartlessness had anything
to do with her lovers leaving the city is not
| known but he determined to take up his
residence in Boston, and learn there the de
tails Of his new profession One year passed.
| Lena had neither seen nor heard from him
in all these months. The news of the rup-
ture Of the engagement was, Of course. as all
such things are, nine days wonder but
Lena was favorite in society, and old and
young fiockcd to do her homage. She was
! the acknowledged belle of the succeeding sea-
son, but noone was chosen to fill the place
occupied by her former lover. Grandma
| watched her course with great deal of inter
| est, aud spared no pains to instruct her as to
! her "plebian" derivation.
Grandma Tracy's eldest son resided in
Boston, and here the old lady was accustomed
to spend few months Of each year, and in
contemplated visit to that city insisted that
Lena should accompany her, Lena wonder
ed, as they were driven to her uncle's aristo
cratic residence, whether John wore check
| ed shirt and blue unmentionabes and if,
| she should meet him in such plight, it would
be her duty to recognize him.
Il don't care" she said softly to herself
nNo girl ever loved another more devotedly
than | have John Danville; but o. course
| he never loved me, as he professed, or he
would have been willing to sacrifice the indul-
gence Of such grovelling tastes to satisfy the
lady of his choice ! | declare will not
| think of him again while am in the city"
| A week passed, and Boston really seemed
| large enough to hold both without being
| thrown together. n
| An artists reception in -- --- street.
The Tracy family we're among the select
few invited, and Grandma Tracy, who was
/ very fond Of pictures, determined to make
one Of the number
"Well, I DECLARE" said Grandma, in a
hoarse whisper, to Lena, "if there isn't
John DanvilIe | wonder who that lady is
he has got with him ?" and Lena, from
whose cheek every particle of color had fled,
looked in the direction indicated. Sure
enough, there stood John, with one of the
loveliest women Lena had seen, leaning on
his arm
"Oh: grandma, I pray you don't appear to
notice him y urged Lena with trembling lips
| "What has John Danville ever done me
that | should not recognize him replied
grandma, In her matter of-fact manner.
"Why John p as the gentleman and his
partner turned from the contemplation OF
the picture.
sThis is most delightful surprisc" and
the gentlemen, seating his companion with
out the least reserve apparent, greeted the
old lady cordially, and shook hands pleasant
| " with her granddaughter. After few
commonplace, grandma, the irrepressible,
observed:
aWen, John, how do you like your new
business? Turned architect, | hear" with a
sly glance at Lena, who could not, to have
saved her life, told whether the picture she
was SO intent upon was landscape or por-
trait
"Fiye years of my life, Mrs, Tracy,
John answered with considerable dignity
II went contrary to every dictate OF consci-
ence and taste, SO far as my profession was
concerned and no man is an honest man, IN
my opinion, who continues in such a course.
I am now content with my employment, be-
cause 1 recognize my perfect adaptability to
all its details, ss.I, s.,,.5..
II honor you,, John, for your, determine
ton" said grandma 'sand you have my best
wishes A great many folks are foolish
enough to make distinction between trade
and a profession Now, both Of Lena's
grandfathers were mechanics, and no better
ever lived and died. One hailed from Lynn,
an out-and out shoemaker, and my husband,
when married him, was house carpenter ;
and Lena's father learned compositor' s
trade"
| If Lena didn't wish her grandmother at
the Bay Of Biscay, she did almost, but to
save her life she could not keep from laugh
| ing, in which, strangely enough John was
compelled to join. It was too ludicrous to
observe how thoroughly determined the old
lady was that her fayorite should be informed
Of the Tracy pedigree.
at is always best to know something
about the root as we'll Us the branches" said
grandma, little astonishcd at the effect of her
bomb Il. had exploded, and Lena was I'M
injured. "Took it pretty COOL she murmur-
ed, as the Tracys went to their carriage
Lena, on somebody arm, came to the door
saying:
/ ssGrandma, is there any room for John
He's going to drive home with u.s.
Room for who 7" exclaimed grandma
s-Rooml for john DanuiNe 2 Good gracious
Yes of course there isl And John, with
his arm around Lena's waist, listened to the
story Of her unhappiness and modification
and nrnmised to forgive her