Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-08-06

ing in blue garden among pink butter
flies. Every day it was busted religiously
and turned best side foremost, and profane
hand never touched it. Mild Penelope felt
that her aunt had crowned the benevo-
lence of her life by this gift, and only
thought herself silly for having believed
in the hidden treasure. But Simon was
of different mold. AS time passed on he
waxed more and more wratbful at fate.
The world did not appreciate his genius.
His father died and he was left to his own
resources. He left Leekvllle at last, and,
going to New York, resolved to become a
star and astonish the dramatic million.
Fate was still against HIM; and as last
resource he settled down as very subor-
dinate actor in an exceedingly minor
theater, and came on in peasant costume
to say ''welcome home, my lord,'' to the
newly returned heir; or as smuggler,
who announced that the ''captain was
waitjng,' or sometimes as speeches.
king at banquet.
Penelope made nets aud nursed her chill
dren. Ina few years the house was full
Of them.. When we say the house, we
mean the habitation, which, correctly
speaking, might have been mentioned as
rooms. They trotted aud crept about, fell
down stairs and out Of windows, and oyer
set kettles Of boiling water and through all
escared alive, with their full compliment
of limbs. The disappointed actor was not
as greatly rejoiceu as a patriarch would
have been by the number Of his olive
branches. Probably sandals and goat skins
were more easily come at than morocco
shoes and calico frocks are nowadays. And
finally, in despair. Starbuck took to drink
and crowned Penelope's misery. Then
began the regular rawning of the china
jar.
Once a week at least, food ran short,
and there was no money in any pocket;
and on that day at dusk, Simon would re-
pair to his ''Uncle 81 with the legacy in
newspaper, and bring home sundry shil-
lings to purchase supper. Poor Penelope
always managed to get her treasure back
before it was time to pawn it again, and
on the whole. the china jar cost them more
than its original value over and over
again.
It was miserable sort Of home Simon
seemed to grow more morose every day;
the children walled and fought; Penelope
worked her fingers to the bone; and rare
ly had time Co wash her face or brush her
hair: and the bugbear of the household, the
black man up the chimney, was the agent
who collected the monthly rent. They
were always behind hand, and always on
the verge of being turned out into the
street, and just saved themselves this I'M
pleasant circumstance over and oyer again.
Penelope declared that it would happen
some day, and Simon said, ''Let it; better
know the worst"
Perhaps it was for the purpose of acquir-
ing this knowledge that, coming home in
an oblivious state from the theater one
night, he walked into an open cellar door
and broke his leg. That months rent went
to une apothecary, and the avenging agent
made his appearance shortly after, utter
ing dire threats. Penelope promised pay
ment next week. Next week came, so did
the agent; but the money was not forth
coming. It was desperate case. The
agent saw 1t.
eve borne this long enough" he said.
tout of this you go into the street. and It
YOU had anything worth sixpence I'd seize
it. Holloa!o for here his eye fell upon the
china jar, chow did you come by that? It's
curiosity You've no business with lux
uries if you can't pay your rent; that's
mine!'' And he strobe across the room.
seized the long-treasured jar, stuck it I'M
der his arm, and was marching off with it,
but Penelope caught him by the arm.
E'Don't take thatl" she cried. "It;s all
l have to remember my poor dead and gone
aunt. She gave it to me on her death
bed.''
"Your aunt be-blessed!' said the
agent
"Amen!" said Simon, from his couch.
The agent still clutched the china jar
Penelope tried another course.
'sYou shan't have ltp' she cried. s'You've
no right to it! It is not Simon's, but mine
Give it back to me!''
"Whatever is yours is your husband's!'
said the agent. "Hold your tongue!''
Penelope became meek-unnaturaily SO
indeed. She made a courtesy. YOU'RE
right, sir, suppose" she said; "take thu
jar, only don't want the neighbors tt
know it. Please let me wrap it up in bill
of paper"
"Well, make haste" said the unsuspic
ious agent, surrendering the vase with the
grace of a bear; II can't wait all day
man."
Penelope took her aunt's legacy in hel
hand. She regarded it earnestly, regret
fully, and said aloud:
'sGood bye, you dear old thing. Years
and years you've been my pride. T'ain1
to be counted the times I've set you on the
mantle-shelf. There never was such chiny
on earth. You're like Twin critter thai
l was going to commit murder on. Ha
agent, do you know what promised my
poor aunt?'
The agent was not interested.
II told her that d Eeyer sell this vase
add if was obliged to part with it I'd
Here Penelope paused to kiss the porce
LAIN.
II told her I'd smash it first, and Tn
going to do it now!''
And before the agent could interfere
down came the vase, crashing on the eartl
in twenty pieces"
ssHurrah for Pen, cried Simon from hi