Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-10-06
SELECTED STORY
MILE DAYS FORTUNE.

large commission house, and his employers
priced him because, though only an en-
ployee, upon stated salary, he made their
interests his own, and suffered nothing to
interfere with his duties. He was stout,
healthy, handsome youth, his clear blue
eyes and purely tinted skin showing very
conclusively that his habits were virtuously
regular.
It was towards the close of the day, and
Harry was busily engaged in balancing his
accounts. The only other occupant of the
counting room was Peter Phipps, the de-
livery clerk Peter was an old man-sixty
at least, and had been in the employ of the
house for many years. He was broken in
health, but was able to keep an account of
goods as they were delivered, for which trif-
ling service he received sufficient for his sup
port.
Harry had just closed his ledger when
Jasper Groome entered the Office. Jasper
was Harry's Senior by two or three years.
and held limited interest in small house
near by. He was we'll and fashionably
dressed, and might be accepted as fashion
able man.
"Harry, my son,-have you heard the
news 2" cried the new conner, tapping his
friend upon the shoulder.
ssI have heard notkihg wonderful JAS
per. Is gold up Or down.
GA certain kind of gold is high up
Haven't you heard of the stroke of fortune
which has fallen to Mile Day p
AT the mention of that name Harry Cow
per caught his breath, and a quick flush
was visible upon his clear cheek.
RI have not heard,'' he said
"Don't you remember an uncle of Miles
who was sick here in New York a few years
ago, and whom she nursed so tenderly."
"Mr. Snyder-her mothers brother you
mean p
| eyes" @s ,l
ssI remember him very we'll, for I passed
a great many evenings very pleasantly in
his company"
"WeII," pursued Jasper, "old Snyder,
it seems, was one of the lucky ones in Chi
cago land About two months ago he died
without chick or. child, and his attorney has
been on here to inform Miss Mile Day that
she is sole heiress of his whole fortune. It
is somewhere in the neighborhood of half a
million. There is over two hundred thou
sand in bank. What dye think of that,
old fellow p
Harry Cowper shrank like one who had
received blow. He was silent and thought
full
GLOW, my boy don't it please you p
demanded Jasper, with show of surprise.
Harry rallied and answered, with a shake
of the head =
"No, Jasper am sorry for this .
"Sorry +? And wherefore =? | thought
you had a particular regard for the lady,
Cowper looked up, and family smiled
1t was a smile, but their was pain in it:
CASPER" he said seriously and earnest
ly, as one speaks in confidence to dear
friend, II love Mile Day, though I have
never spoken to her as lover. I have
been waiting until I could insure her q
home if she accepted my profered hand. =
AS you know, I have only my salary te
depend upon, and portion of that is SCI
apart for the maintenance and education o.
my sister"
care you serious - asked Groome.
"Will the coming Of this fortune deter yor
| from pressing your suit ?"
eyes,"
"But, man alive! Is not the prize worth
more than ever before If Mile Day was
worth winning when she had hardly dol
lar of her own, what must she be now
'.Sbe can be no more to me now" replied
Harry cit was Mile Day that I loved
Mile Day that love still and no amour
of worldly wealth can add to the price
would have set upon her love in return
But that is past. Had she remained poo
had hoped ere long to have been able t
offer her home-a home where she copl'
help me to find Joy and comfort"
, 'And do you mean to say, Harry, tina
you give her up?''
''She is not mine to give up"
II dare not press it. After SO long
time my past silence might be misconstrued
and my claim be regarded as mercenary.
"By Jove, old fellow! she'll make
rich catch for somebody"
'.No richer than before" said Harry wit
solemn seriousness. II tell you, Jasper
that for the true man, seeking true wife
! Mile Day, with only her truth and he
goodness for her own dover, would be
priceless boon. I should esteem it the rict
. est gift this side of heaven I think if
J, had her for my companion should cha
lenge the world to exceed my happiness.
"Harry you're fool p
+ "Thank you"
! If you are to step out, / shall 60 in, an
and try to VIM
TT II