South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-10-22
The Fourth of July Orator.
BY ANNA MASON.


so. Birdie, it seems that young Bre-
WORT is back from Europe" remarked
Captain Howard, looking up from his
newspaper and addressing a pretty Girl
of nineteen, his only child and the com
fort of his old age.
so, II. seems, papa" responded Ber-
tha's sweet voice, while the coarse sew
ing which she held trembled in her grasp.
Hes to give us our Fourth of jelly o.
ration ut the old Town Hall. I'll be
bound he speaks well. Promising young
fellow, ell, Birdie?"
Yes, papa. l dare say"
Ills family are proud as Lucifer-ri.
dicwous proud, seeing this world is not
their abiding-place. But the youngster
is we'll enough; as modest, well-meau-
ing. pleasant spoken young fellow as
you'll often meet. He was. sweet on
you, Biz lie, year ago. Don't whistle
him back, for l don't want him to rob
my nest, even if he can put my bird in
gold cage"
NO danger, papa dear" replied Ber-
tina, with painful blush.
AT all events, Birdie, well 90 and
listen to the precious Grafton with the
best of them"
The captain resumed his pipe and pa
per, and soon Bertha stole softly out to
the cool yerahda with her sewins.
Her home was a small house in the old
part of the town. 1t stool back from
the road, and was almost hidden from
view by trees of magnificent growth; o.
therwisc the location would have been
unpleasant, for trade had grown up all
around it, and there were no pleasant
residences near. Wealth and fashion
had long since taken their iligh: TO 9TH
er quarters.
Opposite was the oil Town Hall, a
really venerable building, rarely usci
now save on the occasion of some patri.
otto celebration
The house had been bought years ago
when Bertha was n baby; the only ore
OF all her mothers babies who lived and
thrived.
Captain Howard had passed most Of
his time at sea, always looking forward
ID settling down ut home as soon as he
Should have amassed enough wealth for
comfort.
llewas unfortunate. Shipwrcclis, dis
astrous .srcculations, treachery from
those in whom be had contided, followed
each other Ike shadows, and SC he kept
following on the heels Of Prosperity, but
never succeeded in laying the OBTAINING
grasp OH her. 50 year after year role |
by, and he was still at sea, coming home
occasionally.
Bertha, under the care of her superior
well-educatel mother, developed into n
beautiful girl. Her school life threw her
with the best young people of the place.
Her intellectual superiority and culture
commanded respect; her lovely charac-
ter and extreme sweetness of DISPOSE
ton won love. She was prime favoritc
both with teachers and schoolmates.
At sixteen poor Bertha lost her moth.
er. and Captain Howard returned to his
saddened home. Three years father and
daughter had passed t63ether in modest
competency.
August Brcvoort had been her lover
always. She had been his little favorite
during school days, and when these ceas-
ed no one disputed with him his claim
to escort her from church and evening
meetings, or TO parties and little enter
tainments. Many of their young corr.
panions regarded them "as rood rs en-
gagged But the Brevoort family were
intensely proud; especially Aueust's
elder sister. Her marriage to the scion
of distinguished English family had
increased her hautcur. and made her
more ambitious than ever for the adj.
vanccmcnt of her only brother. 1t was
owing to her influence that August &C.
compaIi2l her and her husband 70
Europe
Prior - the departure Bertha hal cx-
pectcd August to come and say good.
bye, and TO exchange the promises of
love that had been given n thousand
times in all but words. She waited IN
vain; he did not come, and she received
no word Of farewell She was forced TO
the a2onizing conclusion that he had
yielded TO the wishes OF his ambitious
friends and given her mp.
For year she had struggled TO hide
her hurt, and to make home cheerful and
happy for her cred father. 1t had been
heavy work
rs she SGT on the veranda on the warm
summer day in which our story opens.
a great tear fell on her work. followed
by another and another till her eyes
were dimmcd. Her needle went aslant
and pierced her finger. and her work
dropped from her hands. She gazed
through the trees over ut the old Town
Hall wistrully.
II shall see and hear him There -
thought she. "and crowds Of others will
sec and hear him also. lie is rich. hap.
by, courted and content. How could /
have believed his youthful love for me
would have cndurcd2 | wish need
not 20 after all; but every one would
notice and comment ON my absence and
so ! must"
"Thc glorious Fourth proved to be n
very warm day. Lstlessly Bertha stood
by her little mirror TO complete her sim
PIE toilet Her dress was nm orpandie
"a delicate lilac.huci spray on n white
ground--with RULES Of lace % wristq
l..