West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-10-04
THE RIVALS.

nat nOISS nc was T. ana Ahcl own,
too Ahl it was proud day for Abel
when he paid his long g-hosrdcd two hundred
and sat in his own team-a man independ-
ent of the world--in It's tIuest sense "A rich
man.
Abel was in a thriving way. lie owned
neat home-boasted OF a neat wife-a
pretty one too-aDd called as beautiful a
girl daughter as might be found in the
whole country.
Nature had been lavish of favors with
Miss Nell. Indeed she had-for what ac-
compishments she could not boast All,
but ] am wrong here; Nelly was no boaster.
She was quiet, gentle, thoughtful, merry,
Tattlepated-that is, she was all these by
turns, and charming in each, and Abel was
deservcdly proud of his daughter.
The first thing after the purcl ase of the
fine animal was to bring it home Arriv-
ing at his own door, wife, child and neigh
bOrs must come ont To look. How bcaut-
ful lac was, they all said smoothing down
ITS -icek sides; the most knowing ones
making such suggestions as professional
''cutenossn required
''Yes; think l needn't bc ashamed of
my bargain this time, " said Abel, in his
clear, confident voice 'Took wife, he
added, IN an undertone; while she quickly
whispered 81 see -
A dark brown team wagon was briskly
drawn along that moment 10y high. whit
ish-gray horse, whose persevcring enid.
MD, nodding, seemed to say, "rm sure
horse and a safe one slow, perhaps. but
always to be depended on" Forward on
seat sat strong-bodied man with "a
good enough face, saving that an ugly frown
detractcd somewhat from usually pleasant
expression. lie drove as rapidly as the
narrow space would admit, spitefully strik-
ing his horse, but apparently glancing
neither right nor left. 1t might seem as
though some unpleasant occurrence had
thrown veil over the happy scene.
10 him it seemed as If all was veilcd-and
so it was; dar<ened and blasted by the
breath Of envy.
whats the matter now, Tim What's
gone wrong to day 7 / know something
has, 10y that black look of yours What's
the matter with your tea ~
Thunder take the tea! lac muttercd.
turning uneasily thunder take the tea and
everything else ''hcre's Abe Saunders got
new horse on purpose to drive me ont. /
know it. o, if ] could only compass that
fellow {"
''Who, fatherln asked a hearty voice, as
the door opened aud 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 neghboring city. o.
Again the blackncss as Tins mind re-
verted to his trouble:
"That cOnfounded Abe Saunders is push
ing me out OF business as fast as he can. "
he sullcniy answered
''What has he done now, fatherin
But the question was put so chcerfully
that Tim fel, half inclined TO visit his wrath
upon his son.
''DOncl what is he always doing?" he
gTowIed, Making more show, and catch
ing more fools; lying about me more than
likely. Wasn't my business better than
his five years agoi Haven't been running
down and hasn't he been climbing upY
Hasn't lac bought himself house, and a
horse, and been painting his wagons And
don't his wife 60 TO church every Sunday
with brand new dresses on ~
Three weeks from that Tim had new
horse alss his wagon was painted fresh, a
bright blue frOck replaced his old one. and
Tim made altogether n brave appearance.
But that he pinched az home was too ap-
parent The butcher, whose cart usually
stood every day before Tins house, stopped
now but three times in the week Fresh
loaves were seldom ordered from the bakers
Matty, Tins wife, staid at home from
meeting because she had not a dress decent
60 appear az church, much less bonnet and
other essential clothing.
The truthss, Tim by his angry jealousy
lost the good VIII Of his best customers
Smarting under q supposed sense Of injury,
hc was not slow TO impuling 20 Abel, once
his bosom friend motives altogether stran-
gers 10 that good mans breast. Iiis hints,
obscure and lightly dropped, failed Of their
effect he could not iniure Abcls business
Another stumbling block was his habit Of
tippling. Customers preferred ono who
could at all times be depended upon who
never reelcd i'm his seat whose checks and
eyes were neither flushed nor fiery. OF
Tim these things could seldom be said and
month after month his business decreased
i'm spite Of his new horse and gay wagon
These things could not be without their
csult and gradually Mrs. Fuller lost her
old time healthful look
Had her husband cared 10 look he would
have known what her CLASSY eye and sink
np check meant, but he did not. And
thus 10 was That one day i'm a sudden TT of
dciirious fever The poor woman wandered
forth from her home, she knew not where
Needless Of her steps the poor woman
tottored along, but at last binding vertigo
seized her, she lost All Consciousness and
lcll heavily TO the ground
Nelly Saunders sat at n side window Of
her fathers house sewing and singing
Every few moments she would take from
the folds Of her drcssa small miniature and
look fondly 40 the features dclinoated there.
"Nclly my child said her mother,
while the biushing girl thrust back the like
ness just as her mother saw 10, "COmc here
and look over thc way. There, what does
h mean Some poor creature either tipsy
or sick
ut won't harm us 60 go and see, re-
piled Nelly her gaze growing sadly intent