Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1877-09-08
WHAT He LOST BY IT.

The evening was warm and still, and
all the doors and windows in George
street were set open, and everybody who
could escape from indoor occupation
was out for a stroll. The people living
here were decent h3rI-working men and
women, earning clouGh t. keep their
families in comfort. and taking an honest
pride in themSslyc, and their dwellings,
Most Of the windows could boast of clean
muslin curtains and the door.steps were
as white as hard securing could make
them. There was one house, however,
whose doorstep could i'll bear a COM
parisOn with its neighhors; and as to its
curtains, they were drab and dingy, and
had been mp all the winter.
Miss kennaway don't regard appear
anCos, that certain, ~ said one matron to
another. as they took their evening walk
together. at | were her | should be
sick o fthe sight of those f,ighttul drab
curtains. And she with a smart young
man coming often to the house,
Poor thing sighed the other wom-
an, a g]ood-natured soul, always ready to
find excuses for those the world was hard
upon-"poor thing, she can't have a
minute to call her own, What with her
dress-making and her mothers long ILL.,
ness, she must be pretty nearly at her
wits end"
well, if young Parr don't mind the
curtains and that disgraceful doorstep of
hers I'm sure | don't" responded the
first speaker, sharply. "And here he
comes, looking as natty as you please
and walking as ifthe very ground wasn't
good enough for his feet
William Parr, the promised husband
Of Fanny kennaway, was one OF those
men who are said to be above their
station, anu are sometimes 50 very much
above it that there IS no keeping them in
it.. William, however, was industrious
enough to find favor with the merchant
who employed him. Out of the count,
ing.house he held his heal high and
looked down upon his fellow-clerks, who
never ceased to wonder why such a lofty
fellow should have cOurted an humble
little dressmaker in George street. But
very few men Of taste would have been
surprised at PARIS choice if they had
seen Fanny kennaway in her seat by the
window that evening.
After a long days work she was rest
ing eyes and hands for q few minutes
and watching for Williams coming
Hers was a delicate, clear cut lace, palt
as a lily, and serious almost to sadness
face that seemed to have little in common
with the needles and pins and gay stuff
around her. And yet, in a general way
Fanny worked cheeriully enough at he
trade. 1t wa only when nursing as wei
as dressmaking fell to her lot, and
heavy doctors bill was added to ordinary
expenses, that her little body felt itsel
weary of this great world. But there
was no great WEAKNESS in the smile tina
greeted William as he entered the humbl,
room. Like a wise woman, as she was
Fanny always met her lover with
bright look and a CHEEKY voice.
Come, Fanny he said, won't yol
60 for a walk this evening. Your mo
Their is better, so that you surely can b
spared"
90 yes, mother can spare me; Mrs
Marks is sitting with her. BUt there i
a dress that must be finished tonight
William
81 wonder why we never can enio,
ourselves as other people do" mutteret
Parr, Grossly. "You are making
regular slave of yourself, Fanny
well, then I'll GO she answered
after a little pause, 'and | won't be dy
minutes getting ready"
She trippcd off, and soon returned
looking SO neat in her walking garb tbs
only an ill-humored man could hay
found a fault in her. But as they wake
away together down the street there WI
a cloud on Williams face; and present
he spoke out his grievance;
"Why don't you get a stylish ha
Fanny, instead of wearing that everlas
ing bonnet? | can't think how it i
your things last 80 long, one never Sc
you in anything fresh and new. For II
sake you ought to be a little smarter
your dress"
Fanny did not tell him that eve
sixpenc5 she earned was spent on t
common necessaries of life, and that
her savings had gone to pay that territ
doctors bill; but she looked up loving
into the handsome, gloomy face. W
liam was her first love; she could Il
wish him changed, even when |
magnificent notions caused her sol
inconvenience. The ornament of a me
and quiet spirit is not always du
valued and many people might ha
blamed Fanny for her tameness. B
she was one of those women who won
rather hear harsh words than spe
them.
Instead of Gliding, she patiently E
herself to bring her companion into
better frame of mind, and she succeed
90 we'll that William almost forgot I
old bonnet. And yet, when he had |,
her at her own door, and was going ba
to his lodgings, he began to think of
again. 1t was quite humiliating,
said 10 himself, for a man in his pOsiti
to have been seen in the company Of SUI
a bonnet as that.
Glow are you, Parr?" cried a 10
voice. "Splendid evening, isn't
Come home with me and have supp
will you?" The speaker wa a DASH
young IcllOW, sun Ol al dllCllOleeT w
wal reputed to be making a fortune.
wa the first invitation that Will,
had ever had from Tom Derry.
"Thanks, he answered promptly,
shall be very happy to come"
And then he two set out together, a
William was by no means ill pleased
walk with a well-dressed ac~quaintan
who nodded familiarly to one or t
men in a sphere above him.
The Derrys lived in a pleasant viii
with eoach-house, stables and gree
house. Voices and laughter were hea
in the garden as the young men 9
preached the gate; William caught sig
Of light dresses futteriDg about Oh I
lawn, aud remembered certain rumors
the beauty of the Derry girls.
After George street and Fanny's lit
work.room, it was no wonder, perhaI
that Gloucester lodge seemed almost
earthly paradise. Julia Derry, t
youngest and prettiest of the sisters W
disposed to be very gracious to Williai
She wore plenty Of jewelry and her &C
tune was made in the latest styl
After supper she stayed and sang sever
fashionable songs, with William standil
4. MA