Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-09-12
A WOMAN ATTHE BOTTOM OF 1T

i
ITO tell the truth" said John Haviand,
as he threw aside his paper and faced the
little group in the parlor, Il am fast grow
ing out of patience with this text-''a wo.
man at the bottom Of it 1t would be
strange in this world. made up. as far as we
are aware. OF nothing but the two sexes, il
woman would rot occasionally be found
at the bottom of anything gooa 1t is the
injustice of the thing that makes me angry
Now there. are hundred of poor fellows who
owe all we are, all we have, and all we can
hope to become in this world or the next,
to the upsel6sh love Of woman"
The gentlcman's face was flushed, and he
spoke very warmly and feelingly, so much
so that his wife, rocking the badly to sleep
i'll the farther corner of the room, inquired +:
But why should you care, John It has
always been so, and always will be SO We
dom think much about it now because we
have been taught to expect it.
But you should care and you should
fight for each other more than you do
There is one chapter in my LIES history
that I have always kept locked in my heart
but tonight I feel as if it were my duty to
open it for your inspection and | do it for
the love of woman-for the love of one wo
man who made me what am worthy to be-,
the husband OF good woman .
why, John !" said Mrs. Haviland, soft
ly approaching babe still held tight to her
bosom you absolutely brighten me
s'Le,'s have the story said the rest of
the group, certain that something COOL might
be anticipated, and John commeuced, a, first
little tmid but gaining confidence us he
proceeded.
when first came to New York. at the
age of twelve years, to seek my fortune, l
can call myself precacious chap without
danger of being accused of any UNUSUAL de-
gree of self appreciation I was quick to
learn everything, the bad as well as the
good. N.Y. employer used profane language
l picked up The oaths he dropped with ma
turalness that surprised even myself The
boys in the office all chewed tobacco This
was little the hardest job ever attempted
but after TWO weeks of nausea and indescri-
bable stomach. wre pchings, | came off victo.
rious and could get away with my paper a
day with the best of 'em
True, every word OF it. continued the
speaker.
''One afternoon I was sem with note
from my employer to house in the upper
part OF he city. l hadn't anvthiug to read
but l bad plenty of tobacco. and with that I
proposed To entertain myself during the two
or three hours | must spend in the passage.
For some distance I di not notice who we're
beside me, but by and by lady said very
softly and pleasantly: Would you please,
little boy. be more careful. am going to a
party this afternoon. and should hate to
have my dress spoiled
II looked into her face 1t was the
sweetest face I ever saw Pale, earnest
and loving. to my boyish heart it was the
couutenance OF an angel. -
What ia the world did you say p in
terrupted Mr.. Haviland, her bright eye fill.
ing with tears, as she saw how the memory
Of Thu beautiful woman aud affected her
husband
'Say There Was very little | could say
I think all I did for some time was to look.
[ managed to dispose Of the tobacco. how
ever, and wiped my mouth carefully all Of
which felt certain she saw and mentally
commented upon.
Have you mother little boy ?" she
next asked
No ma am l answered. and felt my
throat filing, and knew must swallow
mighty fast to keep from sobbiug
You have IA her, then, [ suppose p
she kept on.
mo ma am, no father.
brothers and sisters :"
''Neilher, ma'am
"Then the little boy is all alone in the
world 2
'.All alone, maam'.
How long has his mother been dead !!
and the dear woman looked away from my
face, and waited till could speak.
1.-TWO years. answered.
"And you loved her 2 came next.
Clearly" was all | could say.
''She was silent for moment, and ther
said so sweetly-oh l shall never forge
it
''And what DO you think your dear moth
er would say-to know that her little boy
was guilty Of such disgusting habit al
this p pointing my cheek where the ell-tal'
auid had vainly tried to stand its ground
II must leave now. she answered, .bu
here is my card, and if you come to me mos
any evening. shall be glad to see you, ant
perhaps we can be Of service to each other.
'Shs gave me her little gloyed hand. ane
to my dying day I shall never forget tn
sensation of that moment. could not bea
to part with her: without her | felt that
could do nothing with her l could grow tt
mans estate-a man in the truest sense o
the word. Frem that moment tobacco ney
er passed my lips
'.As soon as could summon courag'
I called upon the lady. Well do l remembe
how my heart beat as waite in the ele
CANT parler for her to come down and ho'
awkward | felt as followed my guide t
her private sitting room. Here she got a
every point Of my life, and before babe be
goodbye, it was arranged that | shout
coooJ kwo If oooL xuooE of he