Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-03-31
! SELECTED STORY.
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3 HEARTS BEFORE PURSES.

Well, nice situation THIS, IOf young
man Twenty three years old to-day, and
nice birthday present I've got !! Leave Of
absence fir, m Mr.. Blake's store for an indef-
mite period it's not my fault /; that's one
comfort, it's Mr. Blake's-for having a
son, and that sons fault for being expelled
from college and forcing bis father to take
him into the store at once, IN order to Keep
him under bis own eye. So here am,
with nothing to do, 70 expectations, fifty
dollars cash capital, my board bill fortunate.
ly paid week in pdvance--and a new suit
# clothes to be paid for. | meant to Pay
lin. but as his bill would leave me with on
" twenty dollars, I'll have to put it off 7
Fate to break my word, but ! can't help it..
When l promised | had salary Of fifteen
hundred year, enough for quiet fellow like
me. and now But heighho! Hal Chester,
never despair that's what your father used
20 tell you, and don't you forget it now,
just because you're in a fog It will clear
of soon." M, 4g.J I'D
Hal Chester, As bis numerous friends
loved to call the honest, genial fellow, hay
ing COZ, come to this philosophical conclusion,
ceased to pace bis little room, and throwing
himself upon the sofa, gazed thoughtiully
into the CRATE, as though he expected to lind
in the dancing flames solution to all his
difficulties.
If such was his object, he was not very
successful, judging from the exclamation
that suddenly rose to his lips
eyes, I am in FIX! No situation, no
money, TO speak of, and bill to pay
Tn in love, too. By Jove nice fellow
you are to pop the question !! What would
YOU take that darling little May from her
Itch fathers home, and bring her to yours?
Yours? Why, you have none, and no mon
o. to buy ono either. No, no, Hal. have
patience little May loves you, and will
wait till you get her fathers consent, which
will no. be until you can support her, SO go
to work. Be up and doing % ssia,
A few moments more, and the young
man was acting upon his own advice he
was up and doing With Mr.. Blake's let
ter of Recommendation in hi. pocket. he en-
tered store after store, Office after office.
Evening came, and he returned to his
lodging, feeling jaded, weary and we'll nigh
disheartened, for all his efforts had been in
vain.
$50 no one wants a clerk" he muttered;
"well, l must do something. Tomorrow
I'll try for drivers OR portsr's situation-
anything, SO it's honest" The tea bell
rang, and be went down to the table. Con-
trary to his usual custom, be returned to his
room after the meal was concluded, instead
Of sdjourning to the parlor with the rest OF
boarders.
Removed from observation be again threw
himself upon the sofa, thought profoundly
for ten minutes, and then dropped off into a
light slumber, in which dreams of his gen
tie May ''flled his heart with joy"
From this blissful state he was aroused by
knocking at the door, and still half awake
to the realities arouLd him, he admitted his
visitor. ''
"Well, SIR" said the latter. smiling
blandly. n'I've brought my little bill, az
you told me /; not that Pm in aburry for it,
but you see always come when [ am told. >
ITO tell you the truth, Rodger," said
the Young man, the color mounting to his
cheeks, for be was not accustomed to ''put
ting off" a creditor ''to tell you the truth
I wish had not promised you. can only
pay you ten dollars on your bill just now
have lost my situation since l last saw
you, and must husband my little stock un
til" ea On. ssAia-
His explanation was suddenly Interrupt
ted The brakeman to whom he spoke hat
never before supplied him with clothing
and experience having taught him tina
young men generally are more liberal il
promises than in performance, he broke an
grily in AE4as saae.
.:Until until that's what you fellow
say. I might have known hotter than t.
trust you, but I thought you had an homes
face-the more fool"
"Come, my good fellow" said Hal
quietly, "no more Of that, or shall to pd
you out of that door quicker than you cam
in. Here are ten dollers the rest vii
pay You as soon as can spare it."
"Apd that'll be never" muttered tn
man; if you don't pay me in full in tw
weeks I'll have you in court for 1t, that
all" esp +. .-.'i x.v-
There's an insolent fellow for you, ex
claimed Chester as his visiter disappeared
"But can't blame him. I've no doubt b
has been cheated many time BY young
sters like me. Egs ,,.r /, g.rss I'd
Early in the following morning tho younI
man started forth to visit an old friend o
bis fathers with whose family Consisting
Of one daughter) he himself had been u
terms Of intimacy since childhood a-.5
.oi Mr.. Graham was wealthy merchant,
good nstured, whole-souled man, who dear
" loved joke-so dearly. that it mattere'
nof to him even though the laugh were I.
his own expense, he joined in it as another
Being the man he was, We cannot wonde
that Hal Chester should bend his steps to