Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-09-30
SUSAN LIPPE.

H6kkAhN Aha 2s
al tell you what it is, gall" said old Mr..
Lippe to his daughter Susan, 90 Pm determined
never to hev edicated feller for my son.in-
law; that's a fixed fact
"But, father" said Susan, education don't
make or unmake a man any more that riches
do. It's the soul, the principle, that ,consti-
tutes man."
"Wery true, Susan" rejoined daddy Lippe,
" and I've found precious little principle in col
ege-br fellers tell you that I've got along
well enough, and allus made my mark"
As the old man said this, his eye roved out
of the window, over bis broad and well-im-
proved homestead with CLINT Of self-satisfac-
ton.
Susans father was no exception to men of
bis class, who, when they imbibe an idea, are
pig-headed in their adherence to it. Susan
understood this trait of her father, and letting
the argument drop, relapsed into silence.
While old Mr.. Lppe entertained such no.
tions Of letters, and, by the way, was always
taking pains to inform everybody concerning
them, he had deyiated somewhat with respect
to his only child, Susan, who had improved
the advantages bestowed by an excellent pub
lie school, situated in Stanhope, small village
adjoining her fathers farm. Her mind, too
being naturally of stiidious cast, she had
stored it with an unusu ally large AMOUNT Of
information, which displayed itself in a refined
conversation and wel-bred vivacity of man
ners To these graces of the intellect, was ad
ded beautiful person, and, as matter Of con-
sequence, her hand was the coveted prize Of
more than one young man in the neighborhood.
To the Establishments of the sterner sex,
however, Susan turned a deafear. The young
Stanhopers loved her fathers broad acres full
as well as they did his daughter, who, with the
quick instinct of woman, penetrated the shall
lowness Of their protestatons Of love- Besides,
there was young lawyer who had entered
suit for her heart, and won his case, while
teaching school short time previous to his ad-
mission to the bar. 1t would have been singu-
lar if the daughter of obstinate Lppe had not
been equally obstinate in the constancy Of her
affection for Henry Coverdale, her litigatious
lover.
0fthis attachment, however, daddy Lippe
was blissfully ignorant. He had never seen
young Coverdale, and that young gentleman,
being well aware Of the antpathics OF his con-
! templated father-in-law towards schoolmasters
and their like, prudently refrained from visit
ing Susan at her home. The accommodations
of the house of q maternal aunt of Susans in
Stanhope were vouchsafed them, her uncle, the
/ harneSsmaker, rather liking, than otherwise,
their candestiue visits. In this way the lovers
managed to keep the fire on the altar Of their
hearts famed to a bright flame. The impa-
tient Coverdale desired to bring his suit to an
issue, but the .dutiful Susan would not con-
sent to an eopement With the hope of mod
flying her sires views on the sub
iect Of education, she had introduced the theme,
with what success is recorded above
That night, after family prayers, quite an
animated colloquy took place between Susan's
parents. The door of Susans chamber being
aiar, she became an innocent listener to the
conversation, which, as it concerned herself
alone, proved rather interesting. Mother
Lippe was in Susan's secret, and favored it
with all her might
"Now, old man, said she, as that function
ary was covering up the fire, the last thing be-
fore going to bed, 50 it's downright mean in you
to oppose Susan's ices about larniDg. I'm
sol not to hev any ignorant scalawag roofing
round arter my daughter"
81 rule this rOost," responded daddy Lppe.
"And I'll make the roost hot for you" re-
Joined the dame "Times amt now what
they ves when we was youngsters. Just think
of mating Susan to Mat Awl or yet to Chris.
Gabby, the shoemaker, who has about as much
of an ice of books as a hog has Of meeting"
"There's no might of use argufying about it,
old woman I'm sot."
"And so am l, replied the irate dame; and
we'll see who'll sit to the most purpose. If
Susan can't marry the kind Of man she wants
to, she can stay at home, and that's the end Of
it."
With this clincher, mother Lippe turned
her face to the wall, and refused to say anoth-
er word.
In the meantime, Henry Coyerdale was gra-
dually winning his way to emiDence. AS
speaker, be stood head and shoulder above any
of the young men, bis associates at the bar
The result Of his efforts also began to flow in
upon him in a golden stream. Yet, be still
remained bachelor, though many wondered.
Still there were no signs Of old Mr.. hppe re-
laxing in the least from his views on g edica-
ton"
However things were destined to shape
themselves entirely different to. what mere
observer might reasonably hope to expect.
This grew out of Coverdale's love for Susan,
which now assumed the cast Of impatience.