Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-01-22
SELECTED STORY
PRIDE AND RICHES.
How AN OLD MAN AsroN1snED His HEIRS.

How AN OLD MAN AsroN1snED HIS HEIRS.
At the parlor window of pretty villa near
Walton, on the Thames, sat, one evening,
at dusk, an old man and young woman. The
age of the man might be some seventy, while
his companion had ceartainly not reached
nineteen. Her beautiful blooming face, and
active, light and upright figure were in con-
trast with the worn countenance and bent
frame Of the old man but in his eyes, and
| in the corners of his mouth, were indications
Of self confidence, which age and suffering
had damped, but not extinguished,
"No use looking any more, Mary" said
| he: s.neither John Meade nor Peter Finch
will be here before dark. Very hard that,
when sick uncle asks his two nephews to
come and see him, they don't come at once.
The duty is simple in the extreme only to
help me to die, and take what I choose to
leave them in my will. Pooh when was
young man I'd have done it for my uncle
with the utmost celebrity. But the worlds
getting quite heartless!"
ooh, sir" said Mary.
"And what does ooh, SIR mean ?" said
he. do you think I shan't die? [ know
better. A little more and there'll be an end
of Billy Collet. He'll have left this dirty
world for cleaner, to the great sorrow (and
adyantage) of his affectionate relatives Ugh!
Give me glass of the doctors stuff"
The girl poured some medicine in glass
and Collet, after having contemplated it for
moment with infinite disgust, managed to
get it down.
81 tell you what, Miss Mary Sutton, D
said he, II don't by any means approve Of
your @, sir, and Dear sir, and the rest Of
it, when I've told you howl hate to be called
sir at all. Why, you couldn't be more re-
spectful if were charity girl, and beadle
in gold laced hat None of your nonsense,
Mary Sutton, if you please. I've been your
lawful guardian now for six months. and
you ought to know my likinnggs and disli-
kings"
s'My poor father often told me how you
disliked ceremony" said she.
"Your poor father told you quite right, .
said Mr.. Collect ''Fred. Sutton was a
man of talent-a capital fellow. His only
fault was a natural inability to keep farth-
ing in his pocket. Poor Fred he loved me
Pm sure he did He bequeathed me his
only child, and it isn't every friend would do
that"
ga kind and generous protector you have
been"
"Well, don't know I've tried not to be
brute, but l dare say have been. Don't
I speak roughly to you sometimes? Haven't
I given you good prudent, worldly advice a
bout John Meade and made myself quite dis
agreeable. and like guardian? Come, con-
fess you love this penniless nephew Of mine. "
"Pcnniless, indeed p said Mary.
ssAh, there it isp' said Mr.. Collett. "And
what business has poor devil or an artist
to fall in love with my ward But that's
Fred. Sutton's daughter all over Haven't
I two nephews? Why wouldn't you fall in
love with the discreet one-the thriving one?
Peter considering heis an attorney
is young man. He is industrious in the ex-
treme, and attends to other peoples business
only when he ia paid for It,. He despises
sentiment and only looks to the main chance.
But John Meade, my dear Mary, may spoil
canvass forever. and not grow rich. He's all
for art, and truth, and social reform, and
spiritual elevation, and goodness knows what.
/ Peter Finch Will ride in the carriage, and
splash poor John Meade as he trudges on
footw a.. r.,
The harangue was here interrupted by a
ring at the gate, and Mr., Peter Finch was
announced. He had scarcely taken his seat
when another pull at the bell was heard. and
Mr.. John Meade was announced.
Mr.. Collect eyed his two nephews with a
queer sort Of smile, while they made speech
es expressive of sorrow at the nature of their
visit! lat last, stopping them,
Enough, boys enough! % said he. Let
me find some better subject to discuss than
the state Of an old mans health. I havn't
seen much of you up to the present time, and
for anything | know, you may be rogues OF
fools.
John Meade seemed rather tie vince under
this address but Peter Finch sat calm and
confident.
ssTo put the case" said Mr.. Colet, "this
morning poor wretch of gardner came
begging here. He could get no work, i
seems, and said he was starving. Well.
know something about the fellow, and be-
lieve he only told the truth; so gave HIN
shilling, to get rid of him. Now Pm afrale
1 did wrong. What claim had he on me
The 9alue 81 lis labor in the market is oil 6
| worHipenS1 hds right to; and when his
labor s off 40 value, why, then, he must g
to the devil, or wherever else he can. All
Peter! That's my philosophy-what do you
think? p
u quite agree with yop. The yalg4e o
their labor in the market is all that laborer
can possess ALI that they should have
Nothing acts more pernioiously than the al
surd support called charity"
"Hear, hear y said Collect, you're
clever fellow, Peter. Go on my dear boy
"What results from charitable aid p con
tinued Peter. s'The value Of labor is KEEP
at an unnatural level. State charity is Stat
robbery; private charity is public wrong.
"That's it Peter" said Mr.. Collect.
81 don't believe it," said John. "Yo'