Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-07-16
A STORY.

lftu Il poL nephew, JOnn BryQOn, ana q
dear friend, Jessie Graham. Now | am
not bit OF matchmaker, but, lovim.
these two young people so dearly, it was but
natural that should wish to have them
| near me. This was a pleasure seldom en-.
joyed, for Jessie was teaching in one OF
the city schools, and it was only for the
brief vacations that [ could claim her
John, too, was booKkeeper in IL large mer-
Ferns" as I called my home, were rare
By dint of much strategy had succeeded
in securing them both for the Christmas
holidays; and i'll order that they might not
be lonely, 1 invited a host OF nephews and
nieees to meet them. For Christmas Eve
we had dancing, games, tableaux, and, to
crown all, an immense tree, laden with
gifts for all present. 1t did my old heart
good to hear the joyous laughter ringing
through the quiet halls. and to watch the
fair forms and bright faces that brought
befoge me so wildly the scene Of my own
youth; but most of all, loved to look at
Jessie, and for tile first time I began t.,
speculate upon the probability of my hay
ing some day "a better right to her love
than 1 then possessed, if she and John
would only lev. each other. The idea
once logged in InJ brain, | could not thinl.
of anything else, and l turned to look for
them, hoping to see something which
should confirm what so ardently desired
found them sitting in All alcove, Jessie,
as usual, surrounded with friends, for she
was a general favorite. | do not know
what they had been talking about. but,
Just as I joined them, heard her say dis
tinctly, "There is no vic. for which have
such an utter adherence as that of drunk.
enness, and am convinced [ should lose
every particle Of respect for man, having
once seen him intoxicated"
''But, surely" urged one, ''no gentle
man would venture into the society of la
dies while in such Il condition"
Nevertheless, answered Jessie, Il
have seen gentlemen at parties, who, if
not actually intoxicated, were at least SO
far under the influence of liquor as to be
unconscious of their words and deeds''
''And whose hands offered the wines.
Miss Graham?''
Il understand you," was the low reply;
''but, admit that dainty fingers offer thu.
cup, and bright eyes challenge you to quaff
it's contents, do you wish me to baliey..
that man has not sufficient firmness
to resist the temptation? What has be
come of your boosted decision of cllarac-
ter, and the strength of purpose upon
which you pride yourselves? No, no, Mr..
Lawrence; be honest enough to confes /,
that the fault lies in your own weakness. -
John had been leaning over the back of
her chair, and just then 1 CHANGED to look
at him. The crimson torrents rushed to
his face, and then as suddenly receded
| leaving grayish pallor about his mouth
while the hand that rested nn the clail
actually trembled. 1 was too frightened
to speak. Suddenly there flashed across
my mind recollection of some vague I'll
mors I had heard concerning Johns in
temperate habits. [ had never needed
them, believing them to be utterly false
But nOw-what but consciousness OF
\ guilt and shame could have caused thai
varying color? I grew sick at heart, All,
silently leaving the group, hurried to IN,
own room, that might be alone to think
Alas! all the joy Of that bright Christmas
time had vanished, leaving in it's stead !;
great sorrow that must be borne alone ant
in silence. watched John closely afte
this. and although wine was repeatedly
offered to him, he invariably refused it; s,
/ concluded that, after all, had been mis-
taken, and caused myself great deal O
unnecessary suffering.
At the close of the holidays my guest
returned to their homes; but on the las
morning John came, looking proud ant
happy, to- tell me that before anothe
Christmas he and Jessie were to be mar
ried. Jessie, TOO, came in the librar,
while we were there, and we passed TIN
entire morning in forming bright plan
for the future. Jessie was to 20 back unit
the summer vacation, when she would re
turn to 1.-THE Ferns" and would remai
with me until her marriage, which was t.
take place in October. babe them good
! bye with a light heart, the parting robbie
of it's bitterness by the hope of u speed
reunion. Meantime, was not idle. NJ
fortune was large, and my wants few. Ir
: stead of leaving my property to be dispose
of after my death, chose to be my ow
executor, and enjoy the greatest luxur
J which wealth can afford the blessednes
of giving. AS it was necessary for job
to live in the city, decided to give Je
sic, as bridal present, house in Fou
teenth street which had lately come int
+ my possession. I went down to New Yor
some time in July to see my agent to hay
u the house put in perfect order and hant
somely furnished; but my first call WI