The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-11-27
Too Much TO Ask.

- --,.--.--.-----a---s-r..
When was young man, entered the
manufacturing house of Bell s. Co, as g
clerk.
The position which held, that of chief
salesman, gave me knowledge of the
wants of customers and necessarily brought
me In daily contact with the master me-
chanic of the concern.
This gentleman was a man of considerable
ability and much goodness of heart. We
became Enthusiastically and fast friends
lie was married. His wife was, to all ap-
pearanccs, an esteimablo lady-loving and
unselfish.
was a frequent visitor at their house,
their society being particularly pleasurable
to me; and / had reason to believe my pres
ence equally agreeable to them. I often
thought, that If l had u wife to grace my
home like the one possessed by John Rivers,
should be contcntcd and happy.
After awhile Il visitor arrived at the Ri
vers' mansion-a sister of the wife.
This sister was younger, fairer, and more
beautiful in every respect than the other. T.,
as might be expected, took great fancy to
the new conner. An attachment sprang up
between us which ripened into love; a very
ardent love, on my part at least. I then
thought that women were little less than
angels, and she the faircst and purcst of
them all.
In time declared my passion, and my
sweetheart gladdcned my heart by the ac-
acknowledgement of feelings similar to my own.
We became engaged.
I need not tell you Of the blissfulness of
those days. The charm of life seemed to
have just begun.
In the meantime John grew discontented
with his position at the factory. His income
was large for salary man, but it's coming
was SO regular, and the amount 80 unvary-
Ing, that there was monotony about it
which did not harmonize with his ambitious
ideas. He threw up his position, and
started factory of his own. His notions
of business were those of child; his train
ing had not been in the proper direction
- for success.
He failed dsastrously. His wife, in
stead OF extending the sympathy which
man, under such circumstances, Graves,
charged him with lmbccllity, Her reproach-
es were so constant that the poor man
became distracted The loss of his wlfe's
love and respect, added to the destruction
Of his financial hopes, made him succumb
entirely. Hc died, leaving his wife nearly
pennlless.
The bercavcd ones took their loss quite
Observation-Disclosures but little grief, /
thought.
I offered them all the consolation in my
power-showcd becoming interest in the
widows plans for the futurc-made various
suggestions in regard to positions which
were respectable and duties light, and the
pay good-all of which advice was kindly
received, but not acted on.
Though Mrs. Rivers, after her husband's
misfortunes, hadexhibited traits of character
which would render her, during seasons of
disaster, anything but congenial compan-
ion, should, if had been pecuniauly able,
have urged speedy marriage Of myself and
beloved and offered a homo, free from care,
to the widow of my deceased friend; but the
claims of my widowed moth. and young
sistercould not be ignored, and those claims,
though moderate onohgh, were sufficiently
great to keep my purse in state of deple
ton quite Incompatible with the perm anen
maintenance of strangers. My resources
were too limited to entertain such though
for d moment
Not 80, however, with the ladies. Tha
as yet unproposed arrangement was the ONT
of all others uppermost in their minds
though, opine, thoy had no great faith IN
its accomplishment, else the change in thei
manner towards me would not have beer
80 marked.
l continued my attentions, of course, tt
my lady love; but noticed great lack o
cordiality on her part; the heretofore freel.
given smiles were withheld; and when / pu
the question to her, "EIow soon shall tn
happy day bc?' she replied, "rhe day o
our marriage may be fastened, or perma
nently removed, according to your decision
in regard to request which have t
make" ff5' 4A ~ ~
I asked her to namc the request, thoug
confess was not without surmise as
tho nature Of 1t.
SAID She, "It relates to my sister. He
welfare Is consideration Of more import