Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-12-23
SELECTED STORY
From Godey's Lady's Baok.l
MAXWELL ALIENS NEW
YEARS CALL.
BY s. ANNIE FROST.

YEARS CALL.
BY s. ANNIE FROST.
eff this is your first New Years Day in
W you must make calls with me.
We are near enough to New York to con-
form to that CUSTOM
"Thank you This is mJ first year in
W. Twas here soae years ago, and
was about to inquire of you about family
in which felt some interest"
Eyes? Whose may that be !? | Believe I
know most Of our OLD residents
"Thcy are not old residents, having
moved here from New York about seven
years ago.
The name is Barclay" An innocent
sounding name enough, but spoken with a
difficulty that rather surprised the hearer.
Barclay don't seem to remember, "
he said, musipgly. "Oh yes, yes The
father failed in business, did he not p
Il believe he did"
sHe came here, as you say, about seven
years ago with his wife and two children,
little girls then. the eldest one cripple"
Il did not know the family"
Every sad affair. The child was injured
by the fall of piece of furniture when the
family moved from New York. 1t was said
that an operation could have been performed,
and peculiar form of treatment of the spine
undertaken; but the expenses was too great
to be incurred at the time, and she became
a cripple for life. She is very patient, ]
have heard, and able to assist her mother
in sewing and such work as does not re-
quire her to move about much"
sDo you call there ?"
sWcll, to tell the truth, Mrs. Barclay is
not-not-I mean does not receive callers.
Since her husband died.
dead p
90, yes Hc died four Or FIVE years ago,
and left them very poor. They say his
partner embezzled the funds, and caused his
failure be that as it may, the family was
left almost destitute Mrs Barclay learned
dressing; Clara, the crippled daughter who
is quite young lady now, assists her and
Louie, the other little girl, is still at school, !"
''Do you know how old the daughters
a,eY"
'Clara must be eighteen or nineteen,
Louie about thirteen"
Gard they are very poor p
"Well, you know, Max, dressmaking in
a town as small IS Will hardly
support three in luxury. IA.
"True, true You think the daughter is
incurabeY'
Il do not know that There was some
talk of sending her to hospital !; but her
mother thought her too sensitive and deli
cate to be removed from her own care, and
the idea was Abandoned To be frank with
you, all I know of them at all is mere gos.
sip. Mrs. Barclay is my mot er's dress
MAJ er, and she chats with my sisters about
the family"
"Where do they live p
1921 Elm Street But, come, if we
make calls to-day, it is time we were NOV
ing"
.sPray excuse me. l en- not acquainte
! here, and my stay will probably be but q
short one"
II should be glad to introduce you"
You are very kind, but must decline
YOUR O1Gr. DO uOt lev Lllc Qctdiu yOo INV
but come in and see me tomorrow y
"Well, if you will excuse mo"-and with
few more words Of parting the gentlemen
separated; Maxwell Allen to shut himsel
in his room at the hotel Walter Putnam tt
speed homeward to dress for New Year.
calls
The latter named gentleman need only b.
introduced as young lawyer who had jus
returned from business trip to San Fran
cisco, and his introduction Of his companion
to his family will suffice for mine, for tn
pre- sent, to my readers. He described hin
as ga 6rst-rate fellow l met in San Fran
cisco, clerk in dry goods house, and nos
buying goods in New York. I do not know
his business in W; but he says b
will be here for week, probably, and vii
remain in New York for several n:onths
settling some business for the firm employ
ing him. We came home on the 'ssm
steamer, and [ like him, though he is tn
most reserved man about his own affairs
ever met"
The comment of Miss Caroline Putnal
was "He is not handsome, but has goo
face. I know he is honorable his expires
sion"
land very gentlemanly, was Miss Ida
, rejoinder.
"Honcrable !" That was the verdict.
Pacing up and down the room he Gale
+. his own in the hotel, muttering between h
; set teeth, the gentleman's thoughts ran
this wise ''How can I eyer atone J Foo
crippled, suffering Oh! how can repa
!. this hideous wrong have no money, on
q salary sufficient for mere living no inti'
ence not even physicians knowledge
offer to the child O Heavenly Father,
the sins of the father are visited upon tt
children, forgive and pity me Show
how to atone fer this misery y Sudden
: some thought seemed to strike him as r
lief, for his face frightened little, and
ceased bis monotonous walk. Il can
that" be said, ip low tone. ~: will ser
IS for an introduction at any rate. ! will c'
y at once"