Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-10-19
R.IscELLAH E.oUSl. 2
THE DISINRERITED SON.

81. LII U1OlAhhhlIhUr SUM- -~-l
..5ss E has made his own bed" said Major
9S .Martndale, "apd he must lie. on it.i
gtlajor, ,Martiudale folded mp a certsin OBJ,
noxlOus letter as he made. this mental remark,
and laying it in little gllded leftererack be-
side him, in company with "a tailor's bill,
ticket TO some forthcoming, amateur concert,
and printed circular concerning 'sinsurance
policies went deliberately on with his break
fast.r l.,. i,., ,...... -.
HI was q handsome elderly, gentleman,
slightly bald, with bright brown eyes, straight
Roman. features, and ono of those square,
hFmly>molded- mouths which betoken a de,
cided tendency to have oue'sow way. And
as he drank his coffee, and dainty manipula>
ted his French, rolls, broiled birds, aud fresh
strawberries, served in gaEniture of their
own leaves, he unused over the contents Of, this
same letter ,.E -s,,,s,,, -. 80,
SITS great mistake to. allow servants to
bring ones cOrrespouGenccpt at mealtimes," re-
fected Major iRrtiniae. .:It's almost sure
to interfere with ones digestion. Ill never
read another letter at breakfast time What
could possess my son to go and get married i'll
this abrupt ponsensical sort Of way !? SAYS
he feared it would be impossible to gain my
consent %ells he has good reasons for his
tears. He'll find it still more impossible after
marriage than before. He knows my ideas,
and 1t he don't choose to conform TO em, it's
his business, not mine" .4.
And so, after finishing the strawberries, and
dainty cleansing his flbert nailed fingers, in a
rudy Colored fnger>bowely Majpr iNtartiudalo
wrote three words on thick gray sheet of note
paper, enclosed it in an envelope, affixed
stamp, and gave it to the servant to post
And the three words were these
"COnsider yourSelf disihhertteI :"
That was the way in which Major Martins
dale disposed of his only son. --
Not that he did not love Harry-the bright,
frank boy who was all that was left of his
young wife, the once romantic dream and ten
der memory of his life .time-but he liked his
way better. And it is surprisinE.how obsti.
nate man can be when he once turns his full
attention to the business, n ..,.-
'.Disiuherited Oh, Harry. and for me-.
Mrs Harry MartindaIe, pretty, blue,eye
woman, with light hair that showered itself
around her facerlika sunshine, sIitte dots of
dimples in cheek and chin, aud round, fresh
mouth, like a -baby's, looked piteously up in
her husbands face as she spoke.
Harry Martindale shrugged his shoulders
the momentary cloud passed away from hls
face. as he answered brayely
Never mind, Ariel. Te can afford, you
and ], to be independent of crusty old gen
tIemau's money. Pills about that cIerkship
IN 81. Louis"
''Halt the world away from me. Harry ?"
1T won't be for long. pet. Cheer up =
I'll send for you when I've got we'll estab-
lished, aud we'll have little birds nest of
home. without as kiugan taVors OF NV father"
ARIEL SMILED through the dewdrops that
sparkied in her eyes. She was easily console r
girls heart At eighteen is blessedly elastic
Major MartindsIe was elected to 90 to At
lsntic City tor the hot weeks that season -
Why, he did not especially paFucularize to
himself. Saratoga was dull; at Newport, one
was half mile away from the beach Long
Branch had palled upon his fastidious tasio.
So, to Atlantic City he went, rather enjoying
the very perceptible Dets and snares for him
BY the various widows, old msids and gush>
ing damsels who we're there engaged in the
great husband hunting. campaign.
Il wonder if they thiuk am fool" said
the Major, as he strolled on the beach with
cigar in his mout.
But one day the Major found himself forced
to give up picnic Oh account of 4 strange
and unusual feeling of lassitute and lauguor,
and the next he was in bed.
''Ihis looks serious, said the Major to
himself. 1--WE heard of a low fever hanging
about, but never thought of its attacking
mew
The doctor came, twirled his watchchain,
wrote a prodigiOus latin prescription, and
shook his head 5fE
People made haste to vscacate the roooms
in the immediate vicinity of No, SO, and the
Major began daily to comprehend, through
mist that was slowly gathering around his
brain, that it was likely TO go hard with him.
II will stay and nurse him, doctor. have
had the fever year or two since. and do not
fear it, and am handy with such people"
But my child you have NO idea of what
you are undertaking 90 .
"Yes. L have" answered the soft, low tones;
''aDd We must not let him die for want of care"
els your aunt willing ?''
'tQuite so." Is7-7
"Then you may Try; but take my word for
it, you'll back down at the end of the first
Major MzrtiDdaIe heard these words spoken
as it were of the Glands, as he might have
heard the thunder of the waves on the beach