Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-10-08
The Rivals.

own. too. All! it was a proud day
for Abel when he paid his long. boarded
two hundred and sat in his own team
man Independent of the world-in Its
truest sense a rich man.
Abel was in a thriving way. He own
ed neat home-boasted of neat wife
"a pretty one tOO-and called as beau
tiful a girl daughter as might be found
in the whole country.
Nature had been lavish of favors with
Miss Nell. Indeed she had-!or what
accomplishments she could not boast
Ah, but l am wrong here Nelly was
no boaster. She was quiet, gentle,
thoughtful, merry, rattlepated that is,
she was all these by turns, and charm
inc in each, and Abel was deservedly
proud of his daughter.
The first thing after the purchase OF
the fine animal was to bring it home.
Arriving at his own door, wife, child
and neighbors must come cut to look.
How beautiful he was, they all said,
smoothing down its sleek sides ; the
most knowing ones making such sug-
gestions as professional cutsness re-
nIlired
Yes; l think l needn't be ashamed
OF my bargain this time said Abel, IN
his clear, confident voice. Look wife,
he added, in an undertone while she
quickly whispered, i see.'
A dark brown team wagon was brisk
ly drawn along that moment by high,
whtish.gray horse, whose persevering
mid, mid, nodding,' seemed to say,
I'm a sure horse and safe one slow,
perhaps, but always to be depended on.
Forward on a seat sat a strong-bodied
man with a good enough fsce, saving
that an ugly frown detracted somewhat
from usually pleasant expression. He
drove as rapidly as the narrow space
would admit, spitefu!ly striking his
horse, but apparently glancing neither
right nor lett. 1t might seem as though
some unpleasant occurrence had thrown
veil over the happy scene. To him
it seemed as if all was veiled-and so it
was ; darkened and blasted by the breath
of envy.
What's the matter now, Tim
What's gone wrong to-day: l know
something has, by that black look OF
yours. What's the matter with your
tea?'
Thunder take the tea = he mutter-
ed, turning uneasily; thunder take the
tea and everything else; here's Abe
Saunders got a new horse on purpose to
drive me out. 1 know it. o, if could
only compass that fellow?
who, father?' asked hearty voice,
as the door opened and in walked a tall
Young fellow, with face as sunny as
the day had been.
The frown partly vanished as Tim
met that frank, handsome face, for he
felt proud of his boy. who was, he was
sure, growing up an honor to him. For
Tim was clerk in the neighboring city,
Again the blackness as Tins mind
reverted to his trouble
That confounded Abe Saunders is
pushing me out of business as fast as he
can he sullenly answered.
What has he done new, father"
But the question was put so cheerful
ly that Tim felt halfinclined to visit bis
wrath upon his son.
Done what is he always doing ?
he growled, making more show, ano
catching more fools lying about M
more than likely. Wasn't my business
better than his five years ago? Haven'I
| been running down and hasn't he been
climbing up? Hasn't he bought himsel
a house, and horse, and been painting
his wagon? And don't his wife 90 tt
church every Sunday with brand new
dresses on?
Three weeks from that Tim had new
horse also {; his wagon was painted fresh
a bright blue frock replaced his old one
and Tim made altogether brave ap
pearance. But that he pinched at home
was too apparent. The butcher, whose
cart usually stood every day before
Tins house, stopped now but three
times in the week. Fresh loayes wer,
seldom ordered from the bakers. Mat
ty, Tins wife, staid at home from meet
ing because she had not dress dccen
to appear at church, much less bonnie
and other essential clothing.
The truth is. Tim by his angry leal
ousy lost the good will Of his best Gus
toners. Smarting under suppresse
sense of injury, ne was not slow to i'm
putting to Abel, once his bosom friend
motives altogether strangers TO ths
good mans breast. His hints, obscur
/ and lightly dropped, failed of their effect
be could not injure Abel's BUSINESS
Another stumbling block was his hab
of tippling. Customers preferred on
who could at all times be depended W
on who never reeled in his seat; who's
cheeks and eyes were neither fiushe
nor fiery. OfTim these things cou
seldom be said and month after mon'
his business decreased In spite oil b
new horse and gay wagon.
These things could not be witho
their result, and gradually Mrs. Full
lost her old time healthful look.
> Had her husband cared 10 look
! would have known what her CLASSY Q.
aud sinking cheek meant, but he did nc
And thus it was that one day in su
r den fit of delirlous fever the poor W