Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-11-05

it was hard to give it up.
The next thing to do was to search
for employment. He possessed nothing
in the world except bis clothes and .
ANAL amount of jewelry--relics of his
former butterfly existence and heart
full Of courage. He did not know
how to work, had never attempted even
the slightest details of business, bat he
set resolutely about the task before
him.
He walked the city for DAVIS and days
but all in vain. No one wanted him.
There were plenty Of situations but
when his qualifications were asked he
was forced to tell the miserable truth
and confess that he knew just-nothing
How bitterly he regretted now, in his
hour of need, that he had not spent the
hours which he had wasted in acquiring
his accomplishments, in learning some
thing that would help him in his strait.
Regrets were useless, and he went
steadily forward upon the hard path Of
duty. -a#t-
At last he lost all hopes Of finding
employment in the city, and turned his
face toward the spreading field, and
shady groves, and contented, peaceful
homes of Gods own land, the country.
He did not know what he should do
there; he had not friend in the wide,
world, he thought, who cared whether
he lived or died. Where his uncle
the unhappy cause Of his misfortune
had gone he did not know. He only
knew be was alone, trind, and heart
sick, and discouraged. turning with q
longing heart from the hot and dusty
city streets, TO the fresh, green medows
Of the country.
He went. For two days he tramped
slowly along, sick In mind and in body.
He had tried again and again to find
employment as he came along, but still
tha same helplessness of Ignorance was
his bane barrier He was sick, very
sick, and knew not where he might lay
his weary head. At last he fell, and
knew no more.
After the long blank and darkness
be had dreamy sense Of a pleasant
shaded room; of open, vine covered
windows filed with fresh. pure flowers;
of kind, hearty. rugged face that came
and looked at him, and then smoke
~he~-:Iy unUtfrrr h;na end rn,.ho-l.
face that lowered over him oftener, and
smoothed his pillows, and brushed back
his clustering hair, matted with his rest
less fever tossings; of another face an
ant ell he dreamed it Yves --younger, and
so fresh and sweet that the very sight
oft seen ed to put him far on his road
to health again.
This face did not come as often as the
others. 1t would steal softly in for a
moment with the other faces; and even
then, if be happened to be awake, 1t
would dart out again in frightened
manner, and as the days passed on he
grew better, it did not come at all and
then he grew impatient to get well and
find where it had gone.
At last the pleasant morning came
that he was well enough to walk out anu
sit on the pleasant porch; and then, I'M
asked by them, for they were too kind
to intrude upen his secrets, he told to
them all his story, and they listened and
gave him their warmest sympathy: and
one face-the timid, fresh one-was
bathed in tears behind the leafy screen,
where it had crept unseen.
He found his haven at last. Farmer
Royston-the good. worthy soul, that
he was-ofered him refuge and a place
where he could earn his own living; and
he went to work. His whole heart was
bent upon learning, and he progl essed
rapidly with the duties of the farm.
He made just as rapid Roadway into the
affections of the family. OF the family
in truth; but of the shy heart in partic-
ular, he could not feel as sure. That
very shyness that added such charm
to her sweet young beauty, interrosed
an almost insurmountable barrier to her
confidence. He could not tell how she
regarded him; she was shy and reserved
scarcely ever speaking to him, and new
er remained alone with him for a mo-
ment.
The months rolled on and he had been
there year. In that year of indepen~
dence and healthy labor he had grown
strong and rugged and handsomer than
ever. He had improved in mind, also,
for though his accomplishments were
thrown aside, he had gained store of
practical knowledge that was invaluable
to him; and more, he was desperately in
love. The young, shy face had con
quered him completely.
One pleasant summer evening he
strolled down by the river, and uncx
pectedly came upon Hattie Royston sit
ting silently beside the old tree that
grew upon the waters edge. She STAR