South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-07-15
A ROMANCE OF LABOR.

"s~' 'iSeShth5 W TIC TcDcIllOuS
words OF young man who could not
see his fathers wisdom in desiring
him to learn u trade.
1T will make common man of me.
father he said querulously; Il shall
be os dirty IA blacksmith and have
hands like coal HEAVIER
And if you think, Fred, that wear.
ing fine clothes and having white
hands make you n gentleman, let me
tell you, sir, that you are a very COM
mon man to begin with. a good
trade might help you to truer notions
of gentlemanhood.'
Then L looked at. the handsome
young fellow-for he was handsome
and l thought just then of Steve
Gaskill Steve had made his mark
now, but many years ago heard Just
such talk between him and old 10.
siah Gaskill, relative to the young man
learning his fathers trade of n wood
stapler.
Its dirty business, father said
the splendid Steve, in Il full evening
dress, sand hate the smell of oil and
the sight of these men in blue blous-
es. l hope that shall have some.
thing to do better for myself than
that
very well, lad, what is it thou'd
fair be p
~ lawyer, father
There naugh't but lazy, quarrel
some set, but thou shalt never say
that [ stood in the gate. Be n LAWYER,
lad. I'll speak to Denham to.mor.
row about thee
SO young Steve was articled to Den
ham u Downcs to study law, especi-
al-conveyancing. He WAS Oh only
son, but had three sisters, and over
them and his mother he exercised SUI
preme influence.
Whatever Steve did was right
whatever he said was beyond dispute.
Even old Josiah, with all his sound
sense, was i'll spite OF himself, sway
ell by the undisputed acknowledge
ment OF Steve's superiority. lie
would not advise his son to be n law
yer, but seeing that Steve was not a.
traid to be one, he was rather proud
of the lads pluck and ambition.
1t cost them q good deal. Stoves
tastes were expensive, and he fell nat
turalIy among class of men who led
HIM INTO many eXtravaganccs. There
were occasionally awkward scenes,
but Steve, supported by his mother
& sisters, always cleared every scrape,
and finally satisfied the family pride
by being regularly admitted upon the
roll of Her Majesty's attorneys.
In the meantime his father had
been i'll failing health f; soon after this
lie diod. Most of his savings had
been secured for the helpless women
of the Gaskill family, and Steve now
found himself with n profession and a
thousand pounds to give him n fair
start i'll it. People said old Gaskill
had acted very wisely, and Steve had
sense enough TO acquiesce in public
opinion. lie knew too, that as long
rs his mother or sisters had shilling
they would share it with linn.
So he hopefully opened an Office in
his native town Of Leeds, and waited
for clients. But Yorkshire men are
provcrblally cautious; n young law.
yer was not their ideal. Steve could
not look crafty and wise under any
circumstances, and that first year he
did not make enough to pay his rent.
Nevertheless he did not in any way
curtail his expenses; aud when the
summer holidays arrived, he went rs
usual, to fashionable watering place.
1t happened that year saw the debut
of Miss Elizabeth Braithwaitc, great
I heiress and very handsome girl
/ Steve was attracted by her beauty, and
her great wealth was not q drawback
in hiscye. In short time he perceiv-
eel that Miss Braithwaite favored him
above all other pretenlers to her hand,
and he began to consider the advan-
| tages of rich wife.
His profession had hitherto been n
failure, his one thousand pounds was
nearly spent; his three sisters we're all
OH the point of marriage, n condition
which might seriously modify their
sisterly instincts, and his mothers an
nual income wouldn't support him a
month-would it not be the best plan
to accept the good fortune 80 evident
ly within his reach?
Elizabeth was handsome and i'm
clined to favor him, and though she
had the reputation OF being authorita-
tive in temper and economical in mo-
ney matters, lie did not doubt that
she would finally acknowledge his
power as completely rs his mother and
sisters. SO lac set himself to win Miss
Braitlwaito, and before Christmas
thoy were married.
True, he had boon compelled to
give up great deal more than he
liked but he promised himself plen,
~ QfpQstmarital compensation. Eliz.