Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-08-17
A TEST OF CHARACTER.

"Uncle Henry said Julia Denham,
'smay see you in the library a moment
this morning ?"
'Certainly, my dear. [ am at your COM
mand now,' and he led the way into the
room. He handed his niece to an arm
chair and took a seat opposite her.
''Uncle,'' said Julia, with little becom-
ing confusion, Il have received an offer. -
"Whew!" exclaimed her uncle, ''that is
coming to the point with vengeance.
''And 1 wish to consult you about it,
GA very sensible resolution. May know
from whom the offer has been received ?"
edward Fitzroy."
"You haven't known him very long ?"
sNot-very,' said Julia slowly.
s'But you think you know all about him
with him 20
''Not desperately" answered Julia, smi-
ling. cat the same time I confess that
am strongly prepossessed in his favor.;'
''And this prepossession is likely to be-
come warm sentiment. Well, my little
niece, as you have requested my advice, I
will give it. do not object to this lover
of yours. Indeed know nothing against
him. But then I know too little of him at
any rate to be able to form deliberate
opinion of his character. If mistake not
this is your Case. Now it is my theory
that no woman ought to marry unless she
is sufficiently well acquainted with her in
tended husband to have a pretty confident
assurance of leading ahappy life with him.
I therefore counsel you to delay giving
your answer for month, and in that time
I will contrive to become better acquain-
ted with him.
''Your advice is good" said Julia,
thoughtfully, "and will follow it,"
''Thank you," said her uncle, kindly,
"for the confidence you have reposed in
my judgment. [ sincerely hope that the
young man will prove to be all that we can
desire'
Edward Fitzroy was in business in the
neighboring city. He had embarked a
small property inherited from his father,
good business tact was driving -four
ishing trade. His acquaintance with our
heroine had commenced during a summer
residence at the village which she made
her home. 1t was not strange that he
should have been attracted by Julia. Her
gayety, vivacity and beauty made her gen
orally admired, and had anything else been
requisite the reputation of being her IN
cle's heiress would have procured her suit
ors. But it is not necessary to dwell furth-
er on this point Of our story We are in
terested to learn how Uncle Henry's plans
succeeded.
He first made cautious inquiries rel; tive
to the young mans business standing, all
of which were answered satisfactorily.
But this did not satisfy him. He wished
to see for himself. Accordingly he pur-
chased suit of clothing so different from
that which he was accustomed to wear
that with pair of green goggles super-ad-
ded he felt convinced they would disguise
him sufficiently for his purpose. Thus at
tired he lounged into the store, and inqui-
red for some trifling article. He was pur-
posely very slow in being suited. Mean>
while he watched with some attention the
bearing of FitZroy, who was trading with
fashionably attired lady at little dis
lance. Nothing could be more polite or
obsequious than the conduct of the young
tradesman. With unwearied assiduity he
took down from the shelves and displayed
large stock Of merchandise, until the fas
tidious taste of the lady was at length
suited.
''He is attentive to his customers, .
thought Uncle Henry. "That is a good
sign. Bat perhaps it may be simply be-
cause She is rich and fashionable. Here's
customer of a different kind. Let me
see how he treats her,"
At this moment woman, very poorly
dressed, with worn and weary expression
as if she were better acquainted with the
dark than the bright side of life, entered
the street door end advanced to the coun
ter. The affable smile which Fitzroy had
in his interview with the last customer dis
appeared, and in its place was seen the SUI
percilious glance.
II wonld like to look at some calicoes,
said the customer.
Here are some," said Fitzroy, CURLY
pointing to a pile which lay upon thu
counter.
He did not stir from his position, bu
| al liz
seemed to indicate how utterly Indifferent
he was to her patronage.
Twill you show me some of them p
asked the woman, mildly.
"There they are, ma'am; you can SCI
them for yourself
"What is the price of this p, she inqui
red, looking at one which lay at the top.
"Ninepence yard.''
II don't altogether like the figure,' sh