Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-03-15
"IT's ONLY A DROP"

1t. was a cold winters night, and the
cottage where Ellen and Michael. the two
surviving children of old Ben Murphy,
lived, was neat and comfortable, while the
brother and sister sat before the cheerful
fire. When suddenly the girl held up her
hand. 'Hush! whisht! will ye! there's
the sound OF Larry's footsteps in the lawn
hand me the needles Mike.'' She braid
ed back her hair with both hands, ar
ranged a red ribbon, that confined it's lux
uriance, in the little glass that hung upon
her arch, laughing features into an express
sion of great gravity, sat down, and ap-
piled herself with singular industry to
take up the stitches her brother had
dropped, and put on look of right maid
emily establishment when the door opened,
and Larry's good-humored face entered
with the salutation of ''God save all here!"
He popped his head in first, and after gaz-
ing around, presented his goodly person
within view and pleasant view it was,
for he was of genuine Irish bearing and
beauty, frank, and manly, and fearless
looking. Ellen the wicked one looked up
! with well-feigned establishment and ex-
claimed:
"Oh, Larry is it you; and who would
have thought of seeing you this blessed
night? Ye're lucky-just in time for
bit of supper after your walk across the
moor.
"Well," interrupted Mike, it's the wo-
men that bates the world for decaving! Sure
! she heard your step when nobody else could;
its echo struck on her heart, Larry-let
her deny it; she'll make show off if she
can she'll twist you and twirl you, and
turn you about, so that you won't know
whether it's on your head or your heels
you're standing. She'll tossicate yer brains
in no time, AMI be as composed herself as
dove on her nest But ask her, Larry,
the straight forward question, whether she
heard you or not, she'll tell no lie-she
never does"
Ellen shook her head at her brother and
laughed, and Immediately after the trio
sat down to hearty supper.
Larry was a good tradesman, blythe and
| ''well-to-do" in the world and had it not
been for the one great fault-an inclina-
ton to take the ''least taste in life MORE"
when he had already taken quite enough,
| there could not have been found
| better match for good, excellent Ellen
Murphy, in the whole kingdom of Ireland.
| When supper was finished the everlasting
whiskey bottle was produced, and Ellen
resumed her knitting. After time Larry
pressed his suit to Michael for the indus
trious hand of his sister, thinking doubt
| less, with the natural self-conceit of all
mankind, that ne was perfectly secure
with Ellen; but tho Ellen loved well she
also loved wisely, and'reminded her lover
that she had seen him intoxicated at the
| last fair of Rathcoslin.
''Dear Ellen - he exclaimed, cit was
only drop, the least taste in life that
overcame me. 1t overlook me unknownst,
quite against my will.''
! "Who poured it down your throat,
Larry 20
| "Who poured it down my throat, is it?
Why myself to be sure but are you 60
ing to put me on three months penance
for that %
''Larry, will you listen to me, the man I
marry must be converted before we stand
before che priest. have no faith what
ever in conversions after-n
"Oh. Ellen!''
"Its' no use oh Ellening me,'' she an
swered quickly. ''I've made my resolution
and I'll stick to it,
"She's as obstinate as ten women,'' said
her brother. s'There's no use in attempt
ing to contradict her, she always has had
her own way"
tits very cruel of you Ellen. not to
listen to raison, 1 tell you tablespoon
full will often upset me.''
IF you know that, why do you take the
tablespoonful, Larry ?''
Larry. could not reply to that question.
ne could only plead that the drops got the
better of him, and that 1t was very hard
to be at him so about trifle.
II can never think it trife that makes
you sosunlike yourself, Larry. 1 should