Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-06-28
MISCELLANEOUS.
pUTIFULLNEss REWARDED

A-@@4heS"SrS
"Weston," said Mr.. Dayton to one of his
clerks, and they.were alone in the spacious
counting room whichlwas attached to the large
store of which Mr.. d. was proprietor, ''give
me leave to say do not think you dress
sufficiently genteel to appear in fashionable
store" A deep flush suffused the face of the
young man, and in spite of his endeavor to
suppress it, a tear glistened in his full black
eye.
"Did I not know that your salary was suf-
fcient to procure better habiliments, would
increase il"
"Mysalary is amply large sir" said Weston,
with a mortified air; but with that proud in
dependence of feeling, of which poverty had
not been able to divest him.
"Oblige me, then, by changing your ap-
parel, and presenting a different appearance
in the future. You are wanted in the store"
Weston turned and left his employer, who
muttered to himself as he took up his paper,
"How do detest these parsimonious fellows"
Mr. Dayton was a man of immense wealth.
He was widower and had but one child, a
daughter, who was the pride of his declining
years. She was as good as an angel aud as
beautiful as she was good. She was simple in
her taste and appearance. Such was Laura
Dayton when Weston May first became an
inmate of her fathers house, and what wonder
that he soon learned to love her with very
deep and ardent affection. Though their
tongues never gave utturance to what their
hearts felt yet the language of their eyes was
not to be mistaken. Weston was the soul of
honor, and although he perceived with pleasure
that he was not distateful to her, still he felt
that he must conquer the passion that glowed
in his heart.
"I must not win her heart" be said to him
self; 81 am penniless, and her father would
never consent to our union" Thus he
reasoned, and thus he manfully eudeavored to
subdue what he considered an i'll fated passion
Laura had many suitors, and some Of whom
were worthy of her, but she refused them all
with gentle yet decisive frmness.
Her father was in the decline of life and
wished to see her happily settled ere he de-
parted from this world. 1t was not long
before he surmised that young Weston was
the cause of her Indifference to others. The
pleasure which she took in hearing him
praised, the blush which mantled her face
when their eyes met. served to convince the
old gentleman that they took more than COM
mon interest in each other. He forebore to
make any remark on the subject and was not
displeased at the thought, as Weston imagined
he would be.
Weston May had nov been three years in
his employ Mr.. Dayton knew nothing of his
family but his strict integrity, good morals,
and pleasing manners, conspired to make him
esteemed. He placed unbounded confidence
in him, and was very proud of him. He
wished him to dress as we'll as others, and
wondered at the scantness of his wardrobe !;
for although Weston dressed with scrupulous
regard to neatuess. his clothes were almost
threadbare, which Mr.. Dayton thought pro-
ceeded from niggardly disposition, and ac-
cordingly he addressed him upon the subject
as before related.
Soon after this copversation, Mr.. Dayton
left home on business. As he was riding
through pretty village, he alighted at the
door of neat cottage and requested drink
of water. The mistress with an easy polite
ness which told that she had not always been
the humble cottager, invited him to enter
He complied, and a scene of poverty and
neatness met his gaze which he had never
before witnessed. The furniture, consisting
of no more than was necessary, was so clean
and neat, that it cast an air of comfort all
around. A venerable old man sat in the
window with his staff in his hand His clothes
were old and so patched, that they seemed
counterpart of Joseph's coat of many colors.
This is your father, presume" said he
addressing her.
ait is, sir"
"He seems quite aged"
ale is in his eig6ty-third year, and has
survived ali his children but myself"
"Have you always resided here ?"
''No sir, my husband was once wealthy, but
endorsing ruined him, and we were reduced
to this state. He soon after died, and two of
nv children followed him
"Have you any children iving?"
"One sir, who is my only support! Ny
health is SO feeble that cannot do much, and
father being blind aud deaf, needs a great
deal of attention. My son will not tell me
how much his salary is, but am sure he sends
me nearly all of it"
"Then he is not at home ?''
'No sir, he is a clerk in New York"
"Indeee pray what is his name? p
"Weston May"
"Weston May! Is possible? Why he
is my clerk. left him in charge of my store
only two weeks ago."
Explanations followed, and Mr. DAYTON left,