Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-09-01
'AUNTON, VIRGINIA, FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER l. 1876.

want Of every principle Of benevolence and
faith had long been source of contention
between them.
Both the daughters of successful mer-
chants, both reared to every luxury, their
future promised to be happy and pros
porous one.
Gertie Morton held every thing beneath
her in supreme contempt, snubbed her SER
wants, badgered her dressmakers and made
herself generally feared and disliked by
the lower classes. While Ef1ie with a
wisdom and 'thoughtfulness beyond her
years comforted the afflicted, fed the hun
cry, and made life pleasant and sweet to
many a struggling creature, who would
willingly have laid dowd its heavy bur-
dens.
Years sped on. Effie and Gertie grew
up to womanhood. were the reigning bellies
of q season OF two. But the panic laid its
whitening touch on MI. Mason, and Efie
disappeared from society; while Gertie
finished her maidenhood by wedding a
young man, reputed wealthy, and the heir
to- many hundreds Of thousands.
Mrs. Gertie Rollin, nee Morton, was
lounging on velvet sofa before glowing
fire, one winter evening. She was a pretty
piquant brunette, with as bright bloom
on her cheek as Of old, but her eyes were
restless and brow slightly disfgured by
hot cpoi1o6 ba hoo 11tv of no
dark face
"What drag life is after all!'' was her
mental lament as she yawned over new
novel she had been trying to read. II wish
Charley would hurry home from that flu
neral.'
Charley came in presently, cookbook
ing free and easy sort of a fellow, who did
not seem to care whether he were rich or
poor.
"WeI, my love-" yawned Gertie, ''your
uncle Joe is buried"
Eyes, Gertie, dead and buried" dryly
replied Charley, seating himself before the
fire, and unfolding the evening paper.
"Put that paper down." was the wifely
command, II want to hear the news. How
much was uncle Joe worth 20
give hundred thousand"
"You don't say so ! Won't that be a
help to us?''
Mr.. Rollin did not reply, but a curious
smile fitted over his face.
sAnd he was once poor. you say ?" she
went on.
"Ye s, a sudden reverse Of fortune left
him without a dollar. He tainted Oh the
street once, from cold and hunger"
ssPoor old creature!"
"Gertie," Mr.. Rollins voice was
strongly stern, "do you remember Efie
Mason?"
"To be sure, do. A goose of little
thing, who patronized all the street beg
CARS" said Mrs. Rollin, who never quite
! forgave Ellie for forcing her to touch that
Glow creature.''-
sWhere is she now?''
'sBless me-, how do 1 know. Her father
failed years ago, and they went into cheap
lodging somewhere"
"Well-she is Joe's heir"
"What?'' Gertie was on her feet like a
| flash, "has he not left his fortune to you?''
mot d dollar of it, grimly replied Mr..
Rollin, who had the satisfaction of know
| ing, that Gertie would not have married
him but for that prospective fortune. ''Do
you remember the old man Eflie helped to
his feet one bitter cold morning ten years
ago?"
| ''That- that-Was not your uncle Joe?''
Gertie cried in veXation.
''That was uncle Joe. And he never
forgot how Gertie Morton sneered at his
poverty. Ef1ie's pocket money procul ed
him food and lodging, and sudden change
in fortune brought him wealth. He leaves
every dollar of it to Efie, who has been
teaching music to keep herself and parents
from actual starvation.''
provoking shifted Gertie, as she
flounced out Of the room to take out hel
disappointment in good cry.
'Provoking, indeed!'' sighed Mr.. Rollin
'sfor I needed the money. Bnt uncle Joe
never forgot a face or favor"
He went on the dreary channel of al
aimless, fashionable life, while Effie-pa-
tient, long suffering Effie rejoiced in thu
return of her ''bread upon the waters"