The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-01-13

"You' re selfish mani"
The words leap out with quick an
CRY impulse. There was frown up
on the beautiful face. and flame
that was not OF love, in the bright
eyes Gs :
Ifthe soft hand, laid so trustingly
in his, scarcely three months before,
had struck him stunning blow, AL
fred Williston could not have been
more surprised, or hurt. "Sel6sh !"
1t was the first time that sin had been
laid at his door. "He's a generous
fellow" "The most unselfish man
alive" There's not a mean trait in
his character. Such things had been
said of him over and over again, and
repeated in his ears by partial and in
terested friends, until he almost be-
lieved himself the personifcatian of
unselfshness and now, to be called a
selfish man by the rosebud mouth that
looked as if made only for kisses; to
be called selfish man by her to whom
he had given all he 4aa in the world,
and himself in the bargain. No won
der Alfred Williston stood dumb be-
fore his wife.
The accusation was made, and for
good or evil, it must stand. No TAX
ing back of the words could take hack
their meaning. "You're a selfish
man." had been cut, by sharply ut
tered tones, deep into his memory,
and there the sentence would remain.
He did not attempt to meet the charge.
To have done so, would have been felt
as degradation.
'"Good morning." dropped coldly
from his lips; and he went away,
without offering the usual parting
kiss. 1t was showery at home, and
cloudy at the office, fer the greater
parts of the forenoon.
whats the matter, my friend !?
You look as sober as judge on SEN
tence-day," remarked an acquaintance
who called on Willistan. *.
al look about as feel" was mood
| lily answered. %
"Heigh-ho moon in the rainy
quarter already" rejoined the visitor
Familiarity, with-a sly, provoking laugh.
Wiliisten turned his face aside, that
its expression might be concealed.
Sunshine and shower. summer
and winter; you will have these al
! terations like the rest of mankind,
and must learn to bear them with
philosophy"
"Do you think me very selfish
man, Edward asked Williston, turn
ing upon his friend serious face.
"Selfsh! oh, dear! no, not very
selfish. I have heard you called the
most unselfsh man alive. But we are
more or less selfish, you know; born
so, and can't help it, unless we try
harder than is agreeable TO most people.
! e'There was time when I had q
very good opinion o. myself, as touch
ing things; but I grow less and less
satisfied every day, and am settling
down into the conclusion that I am
not better than my neighbors.
r "Well, I despise a selfish man.
He's the meanest man alive "l Will
Iliston spoke with glow of Indignation.
"He's mean just in the degree that
| he's selfish replied the friend ''and
as we are all more or less mean,
don't see how we are to get away from
that conclusion. -. - =
i Wiillston knit his brows like one
annoyed or perplexed. - : /,
elias any one called you selfish 2
asked the friend. -, - : :
eyes, S.-i
aWho? The little darling at home
Hal I see it. That's the trouble
} The young husbands deepening
color betrayed the fact. -,
"She called you SELFISH Hal 'Geoi
for Margary! Not afraid to CIV
things their proper names. 1 alway