Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-11-25
FSJ CH4RTESTOWN JEFFERSON COUNTY W. VA SATURDAY no
+" Iuasmuch. |"

more oiu- -LnaluiSn eSoIy uay you Hfo' ""u
der what your next idiosybcracy will be 2
al wonder what it can be, mamma? p and
Miss Belle Lindsay laughingly looked up from
tho fauteuil on which she was reclining, tc
take part in the arragnment Of her sister.
"Was ever mother so vexed as | am p
continued Mrs. Lindsay, frowning on the OBJ
ject of her displeasure, who was standing
meekly before her, with folded hands and
eyes suffused with tears. Hero you
are, Fanny Lindsay, the daughter of rich and
honorable house, running all around the city,
among the lower classes, seeking out your
charitable +" objects" as you call them, which
"objects," are generally old women and raga-
muffin children, whom you bring here, regard
less Of our feelings as well as our respectable
ty, expecting We shall feed and clothe them
There is lot tramp in Boston who does not
come here at some time or other to be fed and
pampered. l tell you, Fanny, it is simply
outrageous"
But, mamma, do they ever trouble ?"
"No. thank goodness, can't say that they
do; but then the idea, how very pleban and
vulgar; but in my veins there is no plebian
blood, and l cannot" And Mrs. Lindsay
raised her viniagrette to her nostrils, as II
there was something communicating IN the
vory name Of "plebian."
Fanny is Just like papa" said Miss Bell
with a contemptuous shrug. He would
sooner dine with q poor man any day than
with the Lord Mayor Of Boston,
Whereat Fanny laughed. The idea Of a
Lord Mayor In this republican land was rich,
and she appreciated it.
"What are you laughing at7' demanded
Belle, who knew it was some mistake Of hers.
al was only thinking | should like to sec
the Lord Mayor. Oh, Belle, foar your edu-
cation has been neglected"
at has not been neglected so that l am
only in my element among beggars and
tramps," was Bellies spiteful rejoinder.
Fanny, you are very rude" said her moth
er, with severity. Bellies nerves are very
delicate, and ought not to be Jared the very
least; DR.. Wallace says So"
Fanny smiled. She knew the doctors pri-
vate opinion on the subject, but as it was given
sub rosa, she did not then repeat it.
Making her escape from the room, she hast
eued to the kitchen, where she found small
basket of delcacies prepared by the cook, an
other of her sympathisers, and taking this up
on her arm she left the house by the rear door,
taking care that none of her relatives should
see her. A short but rapid walk brought her
to the door Of dreary looking tenement
house, and entering she passed up the narrow
staircase. dismal and unsafe, and raped gent
ly upon the door of one Of the rooms
"Come in," feeble voice responded"
"Why, Mrs. Gait" said Fanny, as she
- al
"Yes, dear Miss Fanny" replied the inva-
lid, for such she was, sadly, ." | am alone, and
am compelled to remain alone the greater part
of the time. Johnny must 60 out to sell his
papers, or we could not live, and have no
one else. But after all, she added, brighten
ing up, got along quite well. | have my
Bible always"
But If you should happen to be taken
away with violent it Of coughing exclaim-
ed Fanny, sorrowfully, gazing upon the vast
ed cheek on which consumptions poetical seal
was plainly visible.
"God will take care Of me-" said Mrs. CALI,
looking up reverentiy.
Fannys tears were flowing; but she took
her basket, and spread its delicacies before the
good woman, whose eyes were also full, and
she found voice to murmur.
"God will surely remember you, dear friend,
for your kindness to me. pray that no will
bless you ever"
And Fanny, not in the least aris.ocratic,
stopped over the bed and kissed her.
"Whsre have you been, Fanny?" asked
Belle, as Fanny reappeared in tho parlor, a
couple Of hours later.
Fanny did not perceive the tall gentleman
who stood conversing with Der in the curtained
recess of the doep bay window, and she replied
unhesitatngIyl
al have been to see poor Mrs. Gait, who is
dying slowly Of consumption. i carried her a
few triHing comforts, for che had not long to
live"
Belle crimsoned with vexation. The gentle
man started violently, and stepped from behind
the curtain.
any sister, Mr.. Hosner," said Belle.
"Who did you say you had visited ?"
"a Mrs. Galt," replied Belle 1ippantly !;
E" sick and poverty-stricken protegc Of hers
We don't encourage her in such vulgarity,
however"
al spoke to your sister, Miss Belle, said Mr.
Hosmer, with such emphasis that the rebuke
was keenly felt.
miss Fanny, will you please inform me
what her Christian name is 2" lie added ear
nestly.
at is Aurelia, I believe"
Mr.. Hosmer's voice grew husky.
"And you said that she is dying"
"Yes going in quick consumption"
"You seem to take great interest in q beg
gar, Mr. Hosmer," Belle interrupted, scornful-
y.
His dark eyes flashed with sudden fire, and
his cheeks Redeemed aDgrily, as be replied:
$50 should, Miss Lindsay, when that beg
gar is my sister for Mrs. Gait, the only sister
ever had, / could not find for years. OF course
YOU do not care TO wed the brother Of bsggar !;
therefore, if you please we will consider our
engagement at an end | do not care to have
my wife look down upon me-"
There was scene but Hosmer, who had
wood and won Belle at Newport, where he had
seen but one side Of her character, was inexo-
rable as Fate, and humblcd in the dust, she
gave him up.
Mr.. Hosmer went to sec bis sister, and in a
day or two she was removed TO the grand house
over which Miss Belle had 50 fondly hoped to
preside as mistress. But bis visits to the Lind
say mansion did not cease with this unfortu-
nate one-or fortunate we prefer to say-and
after the death Of Mrs. Gait, who, in prosperi-
ty as in adversely, regarded Fanny as an angel,
his house grew strapgly lonely. And so-wby
prolong the talsl He married Fanny, and is
not sorry yet; while Belle, whose delicate
nerves could scarcely endure Newport or Sara
toga, went through four seasons at one place or
The other bnfnre She caught husband