Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-11-19

could have considered his house carpenter1nS
disgraceful you would have been shocked
long ago. And now l shall spare no oppor-
tunity to enlighten your friends. Lena
Tracy, | am ashamed Of you"
II will keep pretty clear of grandma In
society,"" was Lena's mental ejaculation ;
and the old lady, more excited than her
grand daughter had ever seen her, walked
stifly from the room
Whether Lena's heartlessness had any
thing 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
details of his new profession. One year
passed. Lena had neither seen not heard from
him in all these months. The news of the
rupture of the engagement was, OF course,
as all such things are, nine days wonder
but Lena was favorite in society, and old
and young focked to do her homage. She
was the acknowledged belle of the succeed
ing season, but no one was chosen to fill the
place occupied by her former lover. Grand
ma watched her course with great deal OF
interest, and 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 accustom-
to spend few months Of each year, and in
a contemplated visit to that city insisted that
Lena should accompany her. Lena wondered
as they were driven to her uncle's aristocratic
residence, whether John wore checked
shirt and blue unmentionables and if, should
she meet him in such plight, it would be
her duty to recognize him.
II don't care" she said softly to herself
'No girl ever loved another more devotedly
| than have John Danville; but of course
he never loved me, as he professed, or he
would have been willing to sacrifice the in
diligence of such groveling tastes to satisfy
the lady of his choice I declare will not
think Of him again while I am in the city D
A week passed, and Boston really seemed
large enough to hold both without being
thrown together.
An artists reception in - street.
The Tracy famil y were 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, eff there isn't John
Danville l wonder who that lady is he has
got with him p 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, [ pray you don't appear
to notice him p urged Lena with trembling
lips.
"What has John Danville ever done me
that I should not recognize him ?" replied
grandma, in her matter of fact manner.
"Why john" as the gentleman and hi
partner turned from the contemplation of thu
picture.
''This is most delightful surprised" ant
the gentleman, seating his companion, with
out the least reserve apparent, greeted thu
old lady cordially, and shook hands pleas
antly with her grand-daugh After a few
commonplace, grandma, the irrepressible
observed:
"Well, John, how do you like your nev
business Turned architect, hear" with
sly glance at Lena, who could not, to hav
saved her life, told whether the picture sh
was SO intent upon was landscape or por
trait.
Give years of my life, Mrs. Tracy,
John answered with considerable, dignity. "
went contrary to every dictate of conscienc
and taste, 50 far as my profession was con
cerned !; and no man is an honest man, i
my opinion, who continues in such course
I am now content with my employment be
cause recognize my perfect adaptability t
all its details"
II honor you, John, for your determine
ton" said grandma "and you have m
best wishes. A great many folks are FOOLS
enough to make a distinction between trad
and profession. Now, both Of Lena
grandfathers were mechanics, and no bette
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'
trade"
If Lena didn't wish her grandmother at tn
Bay Of Biscay, she did almost, but to say
her life she could not keep from laughing, i
which, strangely enough John, was compelle
to join. It was too ludicrous to observ
how thoroughly determined the old lady wa
that her favorite should be informed of til
Tracy pedigree.
cit is always best to know somethin
about the root as well as the branches" sal
grandma, little astonished at the effect c
her bomb. 1t had exploded, and Lena wa
uninjured. "Took it pretty COOL" she muir
INJURED, as the Tracys went to their carriage
Lena, on somebody's arm, came to the door
saying:
"Grandma, is there any room for John
He's going to drive home with u.s."
Groom for who! !" exclaimed grandma.
Groom for JOHN DANv1LLE Good gracious
Yes: of course there is" And John, wit
his arm around Lena's waist, listened to tn
story Of her unhappiness and modification
and promised to forgive her.
"For mercy's sake, children, do stop you
, whispering, and tell me what all this means,
exclaimed the old lady impatiently.
. ut means, grandma Tracy, that you hay
made me ashamed of myself; and that
have loved John, and he loves me; and
don't care if he brings home an armful {
wood every night, I'll be his wife, if he
let me. And now please let us whisper
little while"
,, ''Thank the Lord p was the old lady
! fervent ejaculation; and this time the glasst
were removed to wipe the binding mist frol
her eyes.
, The character of man is to be inferre
y ), and understood as much from the society b