Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-07-14
STANTON VIRGINIA. FRIDAY. JULY A. 1876.

1 widow and infant without any provision
Tor the future. M
| He was not much missed save by shar-
pers and horse Jockeys, for I never knew
him to do a deed of any kind, good, bad OF
Indifferent, that he could shirk on to any
one else a
:. sThe Lord deliver me from the good.
for-nothing and the thriftless,' has been
my prayer since the day the grave closed
over your father. tas s#&
''Your mother died soon after of 9
broken heart, bequeathing you to my care
''Tell nv lit lie Alice-if. she lives to be q
Woman-my own sac ex perlence, and see
co it that she does not throw away low.
ing, energetic heart for wealth, . were your
mothers dying words.
''This ends all I have to say of your pa
rents; now, if you would like to hear it.
I'll give you my opinion of Mr.. Stilts?"
! "Go on" said Alice, shaking the tear
drops from her lashes, and gazing at the
Idying embers
''In the first place, IS ma rried Already
Alice gave scream and sprang to her
|feet
"Don't tell me that,'' she cried
s'It's true as the Bible, my dear. He has
been lounglng about here at the hotel all
summer, with the exception Of few weeks
time that was spent in Illinois in getting a
sham divorce; his wife is from respecta-
BILE family in Connecticut, who, I am told.
only wait a fitting opportunity to bring his
rascality before the public.
81 have proofs to satisfy you if you have
any doubts of the truth of my statement.
j "Now, I've a question to ask you; an
sWer it on your honor, and then I have
done. IA
IF that tall young mantle owner Of a
pair of roguish black eyes, and hands that
are not afraid to hold the plow. was pos
sessed of the wealth that young Stills
boasts Of, which would be your choice?"
Edward, of course, if [ must tell, - said
Alice, again burying her held in Peggy's
| lap. l.aa s4.a M
A third party, and no less a parsonage
than Edward himself, had entered, unob-
served in the twilight, and became an &C
cidental listener.
While Peggy was clustering around to
get the candle lighted, and see who the in
truder was, the intruder himself had TIA ken
forcible possession of the pretty Alice; and
so closely did he fold her In his arms, that
nought but her golden curls were visible
when Peggy returned. s@
ooh! it's you, is it, Edward Worthy?
What brought you over SO early?" was
Peggy's question.
Il thought I'd drop in before Stills to-
night, Peggy, if possible. Beg pardon,
Alice, l shan't let you go till you say yes
OF no, with the proviso of las rich as Stilts!'
Oh! you like me to hold you! Well,
I'll sit down and take it easy"
Somehow Alice escaped into another
room, and Edward said turning serious
face to Peggy:
"Uncle viii has given me deed of the
farm, provided I'll furnish d housekeeper;
[ started from home with doubling heart,
but was fortunately within hearing when
you put the test question to Alice. AS.
Uncle Willis farm is to-day worth twice.
the fortune Mr.. Stills can show, may not:
hope?"
And Peggy replied, "Eavesdroppers never
ought to hear any good Of themselves. Il
you haven't heard enough. in that way to-
satisfy you, go to Alice. I've said my say
to her, and you must settle it between
YOU" 5sss
1t was past twelve when the click of the
gate announced the departure of the young
man from Peggy's brown cottage.
The next evening Mr.. Stills called, and
in place of seeing Alice, was received by
Mistress Peggy herself, who treated him
to a sermon On the wickedness of man.
She concluded the discourse by advising
him to go back to Connecticut and live
with the woman who still had q claim on
him for support, instead of trying to secure
a new victim by passing himself off as a
single man.
. Mr.. Sam Stills retired from the field
advice and went back to the wife who was
vastly his superior. is not known.
In due course Of time Alice becam the
wife Of Edward Worthy. Peggy's present
to the bride was a piano, purchased with
the savings of many years.
Devoting her leisure hours to practice,
with the help of Squire Smiths daughters,
Alice soon became quite proficient in
music.
Evenings there was trio of listeners,
viz: Peggy Watts, Uncle Will, and Ed
ward, who were never so happy as when
listening to the clear voice of Alice flow
ing out in the good old songs as well as
the popular melodies of the day.
OBSCURE MEN HAPPIEsT IN WEDLoCK.
No woman will love Il man the better