Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-02-02

! oVIft ~ W " OFUuC Ia dOCtOty AAV aOO1N ~
could not support himself BY his profession
and be determined like noble fellow, ~ he
is, with his.own two hands to caro- hveli'
hood rather than to eat the bread of de-
pendence."
Mr.. Rockwell then related the converse
ton he bad with Mr. Manly, and the advice
he had given. As concluded, Frank turn
ed, and observing bis friends, bowed with
recognition. Squire Rockwell and his
daughter Alice returned his salutation with
cordial smile, but the three young ladies'
deigned not to notice him. and turned away
with contemptuous laugh. Mr.. Rockwell
noticed the action and said !:
my dear young ladies', / am sorry to
see you display.,hs spirit which you have.
You have imbibed altogether . false no.
ton Of gentility. I willnut argue with you
sha. the time will come when the most inn
porous beauty in the-c city may be proud to
win a smile from Frank Manly" aa
Mr. Rock well said no more but soon re.
tired, leaving the young ladies to discuss
the subject by themselves. "a
Frank Manly was young man Of good
abilities, fine address, and handsome per-
SON. His father an extensive Wholesale
dealer, died when Frank was about fifteen
years Of age. Leaving his affairs in very
embarrassed state and after many tedious
delays in tho settlement of the estate, the
widow fnaly found herself with only
small annuity, barely sufficient with rigid
economy, to support herself and son. For
herself che did not rerine, but for that sons
sake, and, on his account alone she was
grieved. The darling wish of her heart was
to see him rank high in the worlds esteem,
and to take his place among these gifted
minds which have adorned our country's an
nals-for with mother fond partislity, she
immagined him possessed of all the highest
qualifications of human nature. She's sacri-
feed her comforts and even necessaries-
to obtain the means to give him an educa.
ton And Frank was not unmindful of bis
mothers sacrifices he applied himself dill
gently and mastered his studies with sur
prising ease. At the age of twenty, he
graduated and commenced the study Of law,
with an emminent barrister, with whom he
continued two years. when he passed his
examination with credit, and was admitted
to practice. Frank looked forward now to
a career Of honor and usefulness, and his
sanguine temperament pictured in the dim
future only scenes Of triumph. But it was
not long before he began to find thav reality
was not so charming as he fancied it. His
attendance at his Office was unremitting but
alas there came no clients Men cared
not to trust the young practitioner when
there were older and more experienced ad-
vocates to be had. l need not 90 on to
describe the unvarying monotony of the
twelve months that followed his admission
to the bar. 1t is but repetition of the ex-
perience of thousands Of young men of our
country who have foolisbly cast themselves
away upon profession and drag on mis-
cradle existence vibrating betu cen hopes
and fears wearing the weary days along
with murmurings and repinings. But
Frank was different in one thing from this
class; he was not one who would always 60
on repining, and hoping and fearing, for
he had strong spirit and no common in
tellect. He had brocded gloomily ever his
situation without coming to any definite
conclusion, until the conversation with
Squire Rockwell. which is recorded in the
opening of our story. That conversation
had made deep impression upon him, and
when he was left alone, he retired to his of
fee, and sat down to consider the matter
seriously, The result of bis reflections
was, that he determined to take the advice
of his friend. He knew he would have to
forfeit the society Of the fashionable in which
he had moved !; that be would have to bear
the cold sneers of many, who, until now,
had sought his companionship, but he had
formed his resolution, and these considera-
tons could not deter him. His mother, too,
when be informed her of his resolutions,
tried to persuade him to renounce the idea
but when he clearly explained to her the
hopelessness of waiting longer for practice,
and the misery of such life Of anxiety, she
was woman Of too good sense not to see
that no was right, aud she offered no i'm
pediment-th it seemed to her death
blow to all her sarguine hopes on his &C.
count.
The same day Frank made an engage
ment with an extensive iron manufacturer,
and entered at once upon his duties
The insulting laugh aud cutting manner
of the young ladies at Mr.. Rockwell's dwell
ing, had not escaped the observation of
Frank Manly. A bitter smile wac upon his
countenance. Frank had an indomitable
spirit, trials and difficulties and disappoint.
ments could not arrest the purposes which
after due deliberation, he had formed in his
soul. The coldness and neglect of his for
mer companions only nerscd him more firm.
ly to tho accomplishment Of his duties.
II could not have thought" he muir.
INJURED, "that she would be the first to thrust
me downward Have I been deceived in
her character I know not. / had pictured
to myself Maria Templeton as being all
heart! She pretended not to zee me. All.
we'll How different was Alice Rockwell -
This was but the beginning Of trials, but
the blow fell perhaps the heavier and was
more severely felt because Of the hand that
inflicted it, Such slights were Of daily oc-
curence. But as he cast one hasty look be-
hind, before turning into another street, -
Frank love Maria Templetor, and he had
every reason to believe that she regarded
him with favor. The blow was doubly
severe, inflicted by her hands
Several months thus passed. He had
once sought to see Miss Templeton but had
been repulsed, and, then, convinced of her
ickleness and sel6shness, be only sought to
Danish her image from his heart. There
was one circumstance which probably as
sisted much in promoting this object. He
visited frequently at Squire RockwelPs
where a kindly welcome always awaited
him, in the society of the old mans daugh-