Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-08-26
SELECTED STORY
In LOVE WITH AN IDIOT.
BY g. n. WELDING.

BY g. Il. WELDING.
do not mean by the singular heading o.
my article that falling love with an idiot is
at all an unusual occurrence, and [ do not
mean to hint some degree of idocy is not
always an attendant upon one of the parties
affaires dc cour j; nor will contradict the
oynic who said that all people in love are
idiots, l only mean to state few dry facts,
some of which are we'll known to people
hereway.
In the Autumn Of the year 1915, the staid
inhabitants of the county town Of Fayette
county, Penn, were set to gossiping by the
arrival Of young lawyer named s.,
who announced his intention of settling in
that town. A fine person, genial manners,
great industry, and more than ordinary
talents, set off and graced by singular mod
esty, made S. highly acceptable to the
villagers. Having influential relatives in
Washington and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,
his company was much sought after; but,
like safe youth, he buried himself in the
duties of his Office. apparently careless
about the attractions of society of men or
women.
In one of his visits to Washington, be,
one fine afternoon in April, left the polished
circles who formed little eddies about the
elegant wife of President Madison, and
turned the head Of the horse upon which he
rode toward the Potomac. Passing the bat
tie ground of Bladensburg, he came, aftor a
ride of an hour, to the end Of the little bridge
made SO famous by the attack and success of
the English Admiral Cockburn. The day
was sultry, and, stopping before the door Of
rather tasteful cottage, he flung the bride
over the fence, and walked down the little
path to well which stood in the yard
Looking over the house, nothing human
could be seen excepta pair Of deep blue
eyes, which peered from an supper story
window curiously down upon him, seeming
to watch his motions with great interest,"
Looking at her more intently, he beheld the
fair round face Of very pretty girl Of about
seventeen Summers. She had light hair,
regular features, and although more than
usually prepossessing, the lawyer might have
gone away, as he came, heart free, if il
had not been for something in the blondes
deep blue eyes which made his heart bleed.
s.Young lady," said he, twill you assist
me in tetting something from which t
drink This we'll is deep, and if [ should
drop in attempting to descend for it, i,
will not add to the attractions of the water. .
She disappeared from the window, and
in minute the plump figure Of the girl ap'
| - j. aud ,,lco
Ing it in the hand of the barrister, he put his
lips to the edge of the vessel, and peering
over its rim at the beautiful girl, he drank
long draught. If be had been impressed
with her beauty before, now, when hel
figure was displayed in all it's captivating
graces, his heart beat more loudly than ever
Every bulle has its billet. Young s.
had passed unhurt through whole batteries
of bright eyes at Washington, to be wound
ed beyond help by an accidental shot from
the eyes of a country lass at we'll
The girl walked rapidly into the house,
leaving Mr.. s. at the we'll. WHIT
mounted his horse and attempted fight. Tx
rode few steps and returned. The same
face at the window the same blue eyes
seeming to watch him with curious interest
"Young lady, will you have the kind
ness to inform me of the name Of the gentle
man who lives in this house 2"
A long, curious look from the girl, ane
no answer.
II am respectable gentleman. M.
name is s., and I ask the name inno'
Gently and honestly"
| gain no answer, and again the lawyer
turned his horses head away from the cot
tage, muttering, "Condfound it feel verl
unhappy"
That night was long one, and the mex
day he mounted his beast and with voucher
for his responsibility, presented himself at tn
fence, determined to cast himself at the fee
of the girl, and know his fate. Throwing
himself from his saddle, he walked bolal
up to the door, and knocking, faded gentle
man appeared, and, indignifed tones, aske
his business. Upon placing the letters Il
his hand, the host asked our visitor into
sitting room, furnished more elegantly tina
the outward appearance Of the house woul
seem to indicate, and asked his business
MAY I ask, sir, if that young lady whol
saw yesterday SUING w 'no FAN"o"
: your daughter?"
at is my only daughter, sir, left to N
t by my sainted wife, who has assembled an
waits my coming" 8.
81 infer from your garb and address, sl'
that you are clergyman :!
"In the Cities" said the old man gray'
e ly, II would be called by that name, Ii
deed, at one time held the occupancy
!. Holy Trinity Church, Philadelphia but m
failing health rendering me incapable
!, performing the arduous duties Of a lsre
parish, I resigned my post, apd came bel
to assume control over small HOOK, an
attend to the health Of my daughter"
There was something indescribably solem
in the face and tone Of the clergyman , as !
! uttered these last words. After pause
continued j.
"May I ask to what am indebted II
the honor of this visit :" :.
With more vehemence than he had ev'