Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-07-12
WHAT he LOST.

WHAT he LOST.
The evening was warm and still, and al
the doors and windows in George stree
were set open. and everybody who coul
escape from indoor occupation was out TO
a stroll. The people living here were de
cent, Woodworking men and women, earn
ing enough to keep their families in comfort
and taking an honest pride in themselve
and their dwellings. Most of the window
could boast of clean muslin curtains, ant
| the doorsteps were as white as hard scour
ing could make them. There was on
house, however, whose doorstep could il
bear comparison with it's neighbours; ant
as to its curtains, they were drab and din
gy, and had been up all winter.
''Miss Kennawha don't regard appear
ances, that's CERTAIN" said one matron t.
another. eff l were her I should be sicl
| Of the sight Of those frightful drab cur
tains. And she with smart young MAI
coming often to the house?'
sPoor thing!" sighed the other woman
good-natured soul, always ready to fine
excuses for those the world was hard upon
"Poor thing she can't have minute tc
call her own. What with her dress making
andlher mothers long illness, she must
be pretty nearly at her wits end''
"Well, if young Parr don't mind the
curtains, and that disgraceful doorstep OF
hers, Pm sure DON IT," responded the first
speaker sharply. Sand here he comes,
looking as natty as 9Qu please, and walk.
ing as if the very ground wasn't good
enough for his feet.''
William Parr, the promised husband of
Fanny Kennawha, was one of those men
who are said to be above their station, and
are sometimes so 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 counting house he held
his head high, and looked down upon his
felloW-clerks, who never ceased to wonder
why such lofty fellow should have cour-
ted an humble little drees-maker in George
street. But very few men of taste would
have been surprised at PARIS choice if they
had seen Fanny Kennawha in her seat by
the window that evening.
After a long days work, she was resting
eyes and hands for few minutes, and
watching for Williams coming. Hers was
delicate, clearlyscut face, pale as lily,
and serious almost to sadness-a face that
seemed to have little in common with the
needles and pins and gay stuffs around
her. And yet, in a general way, Fanny
worked cheerfully enough at her trade. It
was only when nursing as we'll as dress
making fell to her lot and a heavy DOCTORS
bill was added to ordinary expenses, that
her little body felt itself weary of this great
world. But there was no WEAKNESS in the
smile that greeted William as he entered
the humble room. Like wise woman, as
she was, Fanny always met her lover with
bright look and CHEEKY voice.
"Come, Fanny he said, won't you go
for walk this evening"? Your mother is
better, so that you can surely be spared. -
ooh, yes mother can spare me; Mrs.
Marks is sitting with her. But there is a
dress that must be finished tonight. Will
liam."
IL wonder why we can never enjoy our
selves as other people do" muttered Parr,
Grossly. "You are making regular slave
of Yourself, Fanny"
"Well, then, I'll go,'' she answered after
little pause, land l won't be five minutes
getting ready.''
She tripped off, and soon returned look
ing so neat in her walking garb that only
an lll-humored man could have found fault
in her. But as they walked away togeth-
er down the street there was cloud on
Williams face, and presently he spoke out
his grievance:
'"Why don't you get a stylish hat Fanny,
instead OF wearing that everlasting bonnet?
l can't think how it is your things last so
long; one never sees you in anything fresh
and new. For my sake you ought to be
little smarter in your dress.'
Fanny did not tell him that every six
pence she earned was spent on the common
necessaries of life, and that all her savings
had gone to pay that terrible doctors bill;
3ut she looked up lovingly into his hand
some face. William was her first love; she
could not wish him changed, even when
his magnificent notions caused her some
inconvenience. The ornament of meek
and quiet spirit is not always duly valued;
and many people might have blamed Fan
ny for her tameness. But she was one of
those women who would rather hear harsh
words than speak them.
Instead Of ending, she patiently set her
self to bring her companion into "a better
frame of mind, and she succeeded so well
That William almost forgot her old bon
net. And yet, when he bad left her at her
own door, and was going back to his lodg-
lng' ne began to think Of it again. 1t was
quite humiliating, he said to himself. for a