Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-12-08
9 SELECTED STORY
JENNY IRVING;
OR,
THE LITTLE MILLINER.
BY KIT KARLYLE.

George Lenox was clerk in the wholesale
grocery store OF Messrs. Moore & Reese, in
one Of our eastern cities George was an
ambitious young man, had many bright
hopes # the future, and was generally in
cod spirits though sometimes the great
Ajghwsy of life seemed darkcned and the
atal Ct hope sbone feebly on his path. But
George was honest, and Messrs Moore
4 Reese had lone since come to the nclu.
sion thai he was just the clerk for them
Some distance from Messrs Moore 4
Reese's-away down street, quarter Of a
i mile, perhaps, and nearly opposite George 5
boarding place, was millintr's shop-a
real fancy shop with a handsome sign. large
! windows, 18th splendid curtains on the in
side, displaying rich ana beautiful array
of those dear treasures that so dellght the
fair, viz: dear little beauties OF bonnets, all
styles, and trimmed in every imaginable
way, with bright ribbons aud delicate flow
ers. formed with exqui~itive taste by tue
fairy hands Of blooming maidens.
Were not these attractions Yes, George
never passed the door of Madame Josephine
Lavelle, from Paris, without casting a
glance into the window or thro' those beau
tiful plate glass doors
| George did SO often, for he often passed
on his way to and from his clearinghouse
but it was not for the sake OF catching a
! sigh. of the bonnets or ribbons of Madame
Josephine, for he could see them equally as
fine in other milliner shops in the neighbor
hood, but it was to steal glance and get a
good look as often as possible at Madame S
little Jenny Irving, or ''Queen Of Beauty, y
as she was called.
Yes, Jenny Irving the orphan or ''poor
orphan" as some termed her, was Madame
Lavele's favorite apprentice, and possessed
the first love Of George Lenox. She had
caught prize without angling fol it.
In our hero's estimation she was the most
bcwitcbing of maidens. Her tiny, but fault.
less form, golden hair, bright blue eyes,
dimpled cheeks and dainty mouth offered
attractions which he could not resist and
then her voice. so sweet and musical, was
melody itself, and her almost baby hands,
so fair, and soft: and her fairy feet that
seemed scarcely to touch the ground on
which she trod, actually charmed him and
completed the conquest which Cupid-litfle
knave-had so arttully planned and SO sue
cessfully carried forward. After having Sc.
cretly admired Jenny for months, George
one day became acquainted with her-nc
matter how though of course, in the same
way that all young people get acquainted
who are struck with each others appearance
first. an introduction at some party or social
gathering, with an I'm happy to make
your acquaintance on the ady's rart, and
"allow me to see you home," on the gentle
mans; then moonlight walk, with grea
many silly. foolish remarks made on bott
sides, concludes the first days ceremonies
OF course, this mode of proceeding sooi
makes fast friends.
George continued to attend to bushes
closely, but his evenings we're generally hi
own, and then, when Jenny was not busy
course they lad delightful times.
Jenny was not by any means without 9th
admirers. Many young man in the
neghborhood would discommode himsel
much to accommodate her, and conside
himself we'll paid if he could thus win
mile or "tbank YOU from her sweet lips
But George was her favorite lover, ant
he sedulously improved his opport uuities
until finally, it was whispered around. ant
pretty freely, too. that he and Jenny wer
engaged. Such reports always spread Xix
wildfre, and This one was not long in react
ing the ears of Mr.. Moore, one Of his EN-
ployers.
Now Mr.. Moore had daughter who too
quite fancy to our friend. and he wa
aware Of it, but could not reciprocate til
compliment. Her father also knew it, an
knew that George was smart fellow, an
would, as he often said. 'smake stir in tn
world,' He thought that George and h
daughter would make good match, an
: that the former would feel highly compl
mented at the proposal. Therefore, 500
after Mr.. Moore first heard the foregoin
report, he called George to one side an
"opened the case'' to him, concluding b
limiting at partnership in case matters turf
y ed out favorably
st The old gentleman's proposal took GeorE
somewhat by surprise; but as young ma
s. OF principle, he felt in duty bound to civ
1t an immediate and decided answer.
l. ''( feel fattered by your preference
said be in reply, land it is very gratifyin
to me to know that you hold me in sue
. high esteem; but I cannot accede to yo1
d proposal am engaged to another"
! ''Well sir, as you please" said NJ
Il Moore, with suddenly assumed sternne
1t Of demeanor, ''but y will lose much
We your decision Allow nae to ask who yo'
Intended is Z"
: miss Jenny Irving"
"Miss Irving" said Mr.. Moore, wi
feigned establishment, miss Irving pc
niless girl" :.
Yes s;r, and an orphan" was the quiz
reply.