Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-11-14
TAUNTON, VIRGINIA. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER a. 1873

| ted him.
81 must be sorry sight," he said, as h
stood dripping before Clara.
st was noble baptism ~ she answere'
him. And she took his hand, and Their
were tears with her smiles.
| And then he was ten thousand times re
paid
The cool days of autumn came, and on
evening Philip Bartol sought Dr.. Paine
| in his private study. The doctor was
plain, practical man, upright and and large
headed.
Philip stated his business fairly ant
squarely. He wished to know if he nigh
offer himself to Clara.
" have found in her all that can eve
hope to gain in a wife, he said land
love her truly and well. She is my frs
and only love. am an orphan, sir, and O
relatives near and dear have none living
My name has never been dishonored, un
less patient and humble toll may be dishon
OF. Of poverty have managed to lay b.
enough topurchase a good farm OF, al
least, could nearly pay for it. l have ;
good education, which / may turn to ac
dents, sir, have requested Deacon LARA
bee to correspond with parties in New
York, and for the result | refer you tc
him.
The good doctor was really troubled.
s'This is not entirely unexpected, +" he re
Piled II saw the deacon to-day, and he
told me what he had done at your request
Upon that point I am satisfied. But sir.
1 am very poor-poorer than you think
Even my home is mortgaged, and can
not say that the horse which | drive is
mine. My labors here have been rather OF
love than of profit. Such labors feed the
heart but do not add to material sub
stance"
"My good sir,' replied Philip, with a
pathos that was heart-reaching, Il can
Clara for my wife, and she will consent so
to be, I will devote my life to her welfare.
[ am sure [ can provide at least comfort
able home to start with. 1t has been my
darling aim to find home fol- myself
a home where love and blessings should
crown my life. With your sweet, pure
minded child for my partner, [ believe the
home will be mine"
The doctor could not find it in his heart
to say nay, and he told the youth he might
90 and seek Clara.
Tt was no uncertain errand beyond this.
Philip knew that Clara's heart was all
his own-he had known it for months. But
would she consent to share his humble
home.
He found her, and asked her the ques-
ton.
The great joy of life was hers when she
heard it; and she answered it upon his
bosom-heart to heart--to live for him and
to love him always.
evil YOU buy farm in Ashton ?" Clara
asked. as they were planning one day for
the future.
.sDo you think you would like to live on
farm, Clara ~
ssAny life with you darling. O, Philip,
YOU don't know how [ love you, and how
sweet it will be to help you bear the burden
of life.''
Tears of JOY rolled down Philips cheeks
as he held the dear one to his bosom.
E'When we are married, my blessed, we
will decide upon our future home. | shall
wish you to select it."
And the evening of the wedding at length
arrived. Before the invited guests had as
sembled, Philip placed in Clara's hands
large sealed envelope.
1T is for you to give to your father" he
said.
ssShall give it to him now?" she asked.
ssIf YOU look at the superscriptIon you
will see that the present is hardly the prop
Ell time. -
She looked and read : ''For Dr.. Amos
Palmer, as slight token Of love and devo-
tion. from his daughter, Clara Bartol. y
She blushed and trembled; but she was
very happy. eoor +ho
crumpling paper within the envelope.
NO sweet love, it is prose-"
In time the company were assembled, and
Philip and Clara knelt before the aged
clergyman. At the proper moment the
groom slipped the ring upon the bride S
finger, and Clara caught, in the strong
lamp-light, a dazzle and sparkle that star
tied her. 1t seemed as if living flame had
leaped from her finger. Philip saw her
start, and he caught her hand and covered
the magic gem from the light.
When the ceremony was completed, and
the happy pair had been duly saluted and
Clara remembered the en-
velone. and she carried and gave it to her
father.
He did not allude to the envelope, but to
the stone that blazed upon her finger:
aMy husband put it there" she said.
DR. Palmer was an educated man, and he
had travelled. He knew that the stone thus
bestowed upon his daughter was worth any
ten farms in Ashton combined.
eOpen the envelope" whispered CARA.
ssPhiiip says it is prose. | want to see
He says it is my gift. Oh, L hope 1t Will
please YOU"
The old doctor tore open the envelope,
and the enclosed papers were revealed
First was the mortgage-deed upon his es-
tate cancelled. Next were half-a-dozen
n~omissory notes, given different lndiVldu-
ais at different times, with the name OF
@Amos Palmer at the bottom and the
word ssPaid" had been written across then
faces in red ink. Last was an envelope, III
which were found ten government gold
hearing coupon bonds Of one thousand dol
Inst then Philip came up. Clara caught
him nv the arm, and the old man stood
male and trembling, as the poor fisherman
MIGHT have done when he first saw the
genii emerging from the bottle; -,
tsMy dear father" said Philip, With
smile. at the same time winding ms arm
around Clara, and drawing her close TO MI
bosom. "when [ told you that was an OF Q,
phan. with no near relatives living, olC
not tell you all of my misfortunes. ! nave
the further misfortune-or fortune u yot
niease so to call it-of having had LANDED
ilnon NV Youthful shoulders all estate
which. when returned from India, tount
to have grown to almost a million OF COL
lars. Do YOU wonder that felt ANXIOUS
DO YOU wonder that I felt a strong desire
that the woman who was to make and bles
nv home should separate me from my out
er fortune? At all events, [ think | nave
done wisely and well. | think | have dom
the best thing l ever did. What think you
darling
''Philip.'' VIZ
ssNo tears now. my precious wife. W.
have your blessing father ~
The old physician struggled up from I'm !. M !:
state of bewilderment and caught Phllll
by the hand. Then he took the HANG OF III
daughter, and he held the two togetner.
Bless you my Gharan t G9d a 9leIi IS am
dauphter but [ do not fear to say that yo'
have gained true and faithful heart
| Such a danohter as she has been to M