Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-29
Why He Never Married.

friend Ferrell. The contrast between
the bitter cold without and the, CHEEKY
warmth within was so pleasant that we
both felt in a genial mood, and poured
forth a steady stream OF anecdotes and
reminis ceuces. The qnickening in
Auence of some choice old sherry, and
the fragrance Of curling Havana smoke
aroused in our deadened old bachelor
hearts traces Of the romance which once
fired them and said TO Ferrell, hall
III lest and hall in earnest: .,,I rfl
Ineyer could understand Why man
Of your worth, your attraction, and your
wealth, should remain unmarried. l
know. that half The mothers in New
York have dangled their daughters be-
fore you, but the bait never seemed at
tractive. Are you bachelor by nature
as we'll as by birth p u .s..r 81 7.v
Ferrell gazed steadily in the glowing
ceals for a moment, lost in the recol'
lection my words aroused, and then
said, slowly: gr " FHs
John, you are my Oldest friend, and
in answer 10 your question Twill tell
you chapter Of my life that has never
before been told. But FIRST fill up your
glass; not with the stuff we have been
drinking but with rarer, chOlcer
vintage o., t4r -.f .
He stepped TO tall closet in one
corner Of the room and unlOckedit.
This said he, is one of my wine
vaults s
looked, and saw within plain, old
fashioned coffin standing on end, and
filed with bottles, f..
What an odd fancy. Where did you
pick that upG'
MY boy,' SAID Farrell, solemnly, my
story hinges apon that. l oDce lay in
that coffin, wrapped in shroud, and
nearer the grave than hope to be
again uutil life goes out forever
We filed our glasses in silence, and
he then began.
1 have not always l:ved in the com.
fort now enjoy. Thirty years ago
was a poor teacher struggling with
poverty, ill-health, and hsart-sickness.
My mother, the only near relative
had, died when my college course was
barely completed, and 1 was left entire
ly alone. Overwork and anxiety
brought on hemorrhage which so ex'
hausted my strength that the doctor
sent me for the summer to a quiet
country town, with strict orders not to
attempt work OF any kind, My purse,
though scantilS filed was equal TO the
modest demands this made upon 1t
and under the care OF an excellent
landlady / passed the summer COM
fortably, though with little improves
ment in health.
Before / had been there many weeks,
grew we'll acquainted with young
lady, Belle Stearns, who lived next
door. 1t was IN days when open air
billiaIds-I mean croquet-was un-
known but we took long walks,
botanized together, and in all the ways
which summer life affords grew to know
each other, AS might be expected,
fell in love with her, and proposed. l
told her frankly that l was poor and IN
ill-health; but with motive to live for,
1 felt sure that / should at once recover
and with her TO work for, l could ac-
quire wealth. c-.'-
she refused me fatty, and l cannot
cay that blame her. She told me
that she enjoyed my company because
had more taste and education than
most Of the young men In the village;
but that a poor man she never would
marry. When l came rich might
think of marriage; but the idea OF being
engaged to her now was more romantic
than she enjoyed. She SACRED cody
at love in q cottage, and expressed sur.
prise that should bring our cquaint-
ance 10 such termination. ~ 90
The blew was severe one to me,
and did much to retard my recovery of
health; but after hard rtruggle l sac
ceeded in drying away all thought ot
Belle. In search Of other companions
| formed the acquaintance of a young
lawyer, named Bryce. Ho was bright
keen, and unfliuching, very entertaining
when lie chose to be, but thoroughly
unprincipled and faithless, l understood
his character; but be amused me, aud |
- - a r." =, 4
saw no possible advantage that he
could gain over me. My opinion oi
Belle sank very much when found
that she was intimate with this fellow,
aud that village gossip already made q
march between them. Bryce, as usual,
talked very plainly about it. a.
Bellies nice girl-an old fame OF
yours, l believe-but she's too cursedly
arlstocratic IN her tastes for posr NOR
tails like us. GIVE her half million,
and she would make snrper5 wife;
but tie her down 10 rigid economy aud
she would be perfect shrew. She
wouldn't stand it. believe, upon my
honor, that she would sell her soul, pro-
ylded she has one, for money a
STILL Bryce kept up his intimacy
with Belle, aud retained my acaualI-
tapce with him. He pumped me steadl-
ly about my life and relatives, and wss
parti cularly INTERESTED in learning that
/ had kindred ia England who were
extremely weslIIp.. 20, a.. s ,,o~
WIZ don't sou investigate v the
matter. and hunt up fortune waiting