Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-12-25

Nnt so gIarin, as a pink, but as pretty
! Ynur black lace overdfeSS Will look lovely
/ with it,
Il shall have an overcoa, Of the sane. with
new thread lace trimming. teased Ia orI
/ of A new dress this morning. and mean to
have the full benefit al his generosity. Twen-
v.fve wards she added 10 the clerk, aud Wall
measured of the dress.
He saw the ladies going from counter to
counter. and the hour being still early. had
lrisnre tn saunter abou, little, marking Vim
n-'. nnrchase of blue ribbons and her care ia
selecting what was OF good quality. her seec-
ri,n If gloves aud her uDselhsh interest 10 al!
her friends purchases.
There was discussion over some exquisite
new fans. a recent importation exqulsitely
di,playel hy clerk Ninuies quiet cant
aiTnrd it, was proof against temptation, bus
| Marcia added white feather fan o. dainty
beauty h her list cf purchases.
Floy Hartly was rather surprised that Will
Stanton. who was a favori,e Of her fathers.
while she had won Uncle Josh's heart, usver
naiA her those marked attentions that were 50
e,;lentlv the desire Of the Old gentleman
IIut her surprise was changed tn chasrin when
| he asked A pecial Introduction b. Miss Winnie
! I,lway, and was that lady's devoted cavalier
! for the evening Of Miss llartly's party The
yonng Lads in white with the blue ribbons
! She hal said in answer 10 his request. Ihat
is Miss Holway. a schoo,mato OF Ma'c'a Law
in,S,nne'. | have met her at the Living
stones. bnt am not very well acquainted
n rcia tells me Ter f:,her is quite well of, but
has a very large family.
Al, oG this VIII found later was quite trp".
There was large family, and Winnie was tho
very sunshine of home. Well educated hor-
self. she was always ready To assist the Young.
er ones in their studies. With nimble fingers
trained tn work she saved her father many
dollars by her ability 20 CO, and it dresses,
and her Willingness to mpsrt some Y her
knowledge % her sisters. heat houscseener
she spared her mother many hours fpr reailns,
visiting or rest Aud yet she was no drudge.
In society she was always appropriately and
t..,rinlly dressed She was a good pianist.
and sung well in clear. cultivated voice
She was well read. and kept mp an intelligent
interest in current topics, cODversing easily
though modcs,ly.
viii found that at every visit 10 NJ, Hpl-
WAYS pleasant sitting room increased his dis
taste for boarding house life. and bis h've ht
pretty Miss Winnie TIolway ill he found hin-
self in serious consultation wiki Uncle JOSH
again.
.Soiti not my pet. FIoy tlartly.' said the
old gentleman. II would serve You right II
! I married her myself
4 viii give my consent.' VIII said musiDc.
ly.
No. my boy. 80. Yon and your pre'ty
| Winnie must ill my old heart as You have pro-
missed me corner in your home long years
| ago. VIII, when my hair was as brown a.
! .nr own. and my eyes as bright, / lt'. tad
| my love dream ! was cnnn'ry boy then,
| and to own farm was The very height u my
! ambition. was working bard tpr farmer
named Nelson, for ! had no parents. when
there came 10 visit my employer cousin from
| ,h, ,teat city of New York IN those days,
! VIII. New York seemed farther away from the
small country place than Europe seems now.
The advent of josephine Nelson wns an event
in our village. and her beauty and gTacc were
| ully appreciated by al the rough pumpkins
,ronnd her Working on her cuu,ius farm,
! I was constantly near. drove her, II sbo
wished. o. see the surrounding scenery. and
as we ,lied over the rough country roads she
,nd ne of the great city. of the opening there
/ lor energy. industry and talent. She found
was fund Of real,ng aud lent me volumes o!
u,etry she had brought with brr from the city.
Brks were rare treasures fOrty years ago,
Win. We real the sweet measured lines to-
g.ther; we walked together 10 shaded lanes,
AID gathered wild flowers which she wors
| her ia,snin aud hair To make q long story
snort VIII. loved her with al the wild eu-
thusiism u bog and the miiIre reason Of
man. She WAS far above me IN grace. IN
hrauty and gnminess. hut BIC was gentle as shs
was fair modest and tender.
When | told my love she lad her l.l.,s
white hand in my rough brown me, aud pro-
missed T., he nv wife Then she came home to
,bc city. ani added dollar after dollar 10 my
hn,rd u follow her. Mrs. Nelson wrote -
.l,srphines father fnr ne, and lie promised
me a place in bis conniin2-huusc if came 10
the city. | cane, Will Then found oui
why n,y suit was favored, why 10 cross had
been lail up hy my daring's love. ! hal
tban.ht her pale. delicate beauty was only
c,ty refnenen,. compare1 with the robust
charm, of our country Iasses. found that it
was the beaniy Of that scourge of the seaside
ciie.-consumpinn. Her parents knew my
.Lnlng could not live to be NV bride, but be-
cause she bad given me the treasure Of her
loye they made me welcome as a sou 10 lheir
home
spent ny days 10 the countiba-house Of
Mr. Nelson. NY evenings with Josephine
Slnwly she f,leI bcfnre NV loving eyes. grow
inc weaker aud weaker, ;ill she died, ciasping
my hand 10 hers That was fOrly years, ago VIII
N have loved DO wuman since will
keep faith iih Josephine tiIl we meet in
Heaven. When Gie. VIII, all have vii.
pe yours. but hury this with me-
A. he spoke he put a small lockct that had
been hi,l,len in his b,rsnm into Wits hands
Opening il he disclosed the face Of very
beautiful woman At the sight Of IL WIl
crirtl:
How mnch ike F.oy Harilyp
Mr.. IIar,ly is Jnsephipe's sister, said
Uncle josh quietly; Now you know why
am - fond Of Fl,y.'
There wa, a long silence. and Uncle Josh
knew by WIS face and he frin grasp Of bis
h,nd that his story lad fallen On sympathizius
a.ieciion.
'Came. he sail cheerfully, after long
pause. if Miss Holway has actually accepted,
| must see abont a wedding present
She actually has. said WILL and the morey
saved fpr piano is tp 90 for a hosseaV'
+ tn, a hint f,r me To- bny piano. langL-
cd Uncle Josh. Well. ! viii.
Bat when the welding day was fixed, and
will consulted Uncle Josh about house. hs
va. informed that Mr.. Sta1ton's welding