Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-06-15
TRUE WORTH OF THE MAN.

TRUE WORTH OF THE MAN.
"Henry, you mustn't let the desire to
save money lead you to be neglectful of
personal appearance"
The boy-or the young mamie was six
teen-looked up from the desk as he heard
the words and felt hand upon his Shout
der. His face flushed, his lips quivered,
and a tear came very near escaping. He
was handsome youth with a clear, fresh,
healthful complexion, and face and form
indicative of force and power.
Jacob Van Worst was merchant
of the old school, upright, truthful and
conscientious. Henry Seaton had been
recommended to him over year before by
an up-river clergyman, with whom he had
been friends from boyhoCd. The lad had
been taken into the counting-house, first
as an errand-boy, but, very soon, his knowl-
edge of figures, and his ready command of
the pen, having become known, he was
promoted to desk to assist one Of the
dispatch clerks.
'sMr. Van Vorst,'' Henry said, his voice
not steady, II trust may never love mon
ey well enough to sacrifice to it anything
of greater worth.''
There was manllness in the answer, and
manliness in the bright face that looked
up into his own, yet the merchant spoke
the words which had formed themselves
upon his lips:
"Surely, Henry, I pay you enough to en-
able you to clothe yourself respectfully, be-
sides paying your board.''
Eyes, sir. will get better clothes next
week."
A few minutes later the merchant looked
up from his paper and saw tears upon the
cheek Of his youthfufclerk. He.cofld not
quite understand it, but he asked no ques-
tions.
A month after this Mr.. Van Worst had
business up the river, and the business
called him to Clark stown. When there
he heard Of a Mrs. Seaton. and he made it
in his way to call upon her. He found her
in a very small, but very neat cottage,
with an invalid daughter. She was wild
ow with a sweet, pensive face, mild-eyed
and intellectual. The merchant made a
plausible excuse for his visit, and in course
of conversation he let it drop that he was
acquainted with certain Henry Seaton
in New York.
"You know the boy ?' said Mrs. Seaton
with warmth and eagerness.
Eyes, ma'am. have much business in
the place where he is employed"
"Then, sir, you know one of the best
sons that ever gladdened mothers heart.
From the day of his birth to the present
time he never willingly gave me pain Or
grief, and now should be poor indeed but
for him. His pay cannot be large, but he
denies himself all luxury. and many COM
forts, for my sake. 1t is his helping hand
and his enduring love that gives bright
ness to my life.'' y
And now the merchant knew why he
had seen those tears upon his CLERK s
cheeks. He was glad that he had found
the widowed mother.
On the first Of the following January,
Henry Seaton was promoted to the post of
assistant book-keeper and his salary almost
doubled. He could not quite understand
this sudden advancement. and as he Won
dered, Mr.. Van Worst said to him:
''Henry, I have given you this position be-
cause you are qualified for it, and because
I have faith in you. hope the salary is
satisfactory"
''Yes. sir, but your faith and trust give
me deeper joy" His eyes moistened as he
spoke.
Between two and three years passed
and at the age Of twenty. Henry Seaton
was elevated to the post of chief book
keeper and confidential clerk. This brought
him often in the evening to the merchants
dwelling, where he met Isabel Van Worst,
his employers daughter and only child-a
girl who had seen eighteen summers-a
bright beautiful being. with ripping sun
shine upon her fair face, and wealth OF
truth and love in her heart.
! One evening the merchant asked Henry
if he could play chess,
He could not,
II think you would make an excellent
player. Isabel shall teach you, and then
you shall try your skill with me-"
Was it utterly possible that Jacob Van
Worst was utterly blind? It may have
been very pleasant for him thus to enter.
tain and educate chess combatant, but
bit was agony for Henry Seaton. How could
he help falling in love with his beautiful
teacher? And more still. His perceptions
were keen enough to detect that Isabel re-
turned his love And why should she
not
One day young gentleElan, very fash.
ionably, and even eKQuisitely dressed,
called at the store, and was granted an in.
terview with the merchant in his private
office. Seaton, who was engaged witt
foreign correspondence, retired.
The visitor remained fifteen minutes, OF
whereabouts, and when he departed Seato1
returned to his letters.
s'Upon my SOUL" said Van Worst, witt
7 burst very much like Indignation ssthat
young gentleman does not lack assurance
Whv he had the impudenca to osI, mo fo,