Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-09-17
LABOR LOST.

loving women around his childhood and
youth. Mark Ripon had never known
such women, and offer this fact as
some pallation for his want Of faith in
them. He was ignorant OF his parent
age; he had been found one morning on
the steps of the Foundation School in
Baxtergate, Ripon and as it was on the
festival of St. Marks, he had received
the name of the saint and the name Of
his native city, and been adopted by the
institution. Wholesome food, stout
clothing and decent trade had been
given him by tie foundation, and in
many respects he was felt to have done
it honor, for after Fifty years creditable
citizenship Nc was one of the Cathedral
vestry, sat in tbs Common Council of
this ancient city which had adopted
him, and was said to be worth at least
s50,O0o
But there is q success which the world
sees little of-that of the heart-in this
respect Mark Ripon was the veriest pau
per. OF the nurses and matrons who
had been around his earliest years he
had not one tender memory; none OF
them had fed the hunger of his heart.
He had no home, no mother, no Sis
ter. The school had been simply y
place in which to eat, sleep and learn.
| Unfortunately, when the lad fell in
love it was with a pretty firt, infinitely
more heartless than himself But Marks
love had been deceived and Knocked,
and when he had come ont Of his chag-
rim and sorrow he had confirmed be-
lief IN the general and natural unfath-
fulness Of women. Popular lnaxims and
jests confirmed him every day in his
idea, like most Englishmen, having
once avowed this as his opinion every
reiteratioD Of his own idea was fresh
confirmation Of il.
But he had many friends among his
own SEX. Men generally spoke of him
as crusty old bachelor, but other
wise as wsll-to-do, shrewd and honor
able old fellow. Chief among these was
young Geo. Downes, the child of the
old companion of his boyhood had ever
known his own god son. If Mark Ripon
loved any human being, it was George
Downes, though tho latter, as ne grew
to manhood, gave him q great deal OF
anxiety, for George preferred the society
Of women, and would not credit Marks
positive assurances of their universal
| falseness and unworthness,
One moonlight night, as MARK wss
coming from a vester meeting. he met
George in the cathedral close. and or
his arm was very beautiful girl. The
old man looked very angrily and doubt
| fully ut the pretty face lifted TO his ia
vorite's. The bright moon-beams touch
cd her long fair curls, aud made the vel,
round them like 4 glory. Mark remem
bered just such lovely, innocent face
and he had no doubt that this cir
would be as false to George as pretty
Fanny Malthy had been to him.
| George, however, would not De per
suaded to doubt her. Then Mark offer
ed to pay his expenses if he would g
abroad and travel for two years; bu,
George said be had got situation in :
bank, and preferred to stay at home
The young man, in Marks eyes, was
bent on running himself, and in . few
weeks he celebrated his wedding witt
an elaborate rejoicing that reused th'
the old mans bitterest contempt.
George fully expected that pow h
would be ignored, and probably lose I'm,
chances that he might have had Of in
heriting his god-t;.ther's wealth. Blu
Mark was unlike the generality OF mel
in many respects, and in no more char
in his behavior TO the young man wh'
had so flaerantly disregarded all his ad
vices and entreaties.
He redoubled his care over him ant
watched all his movements with a con
stantly increasing interest. In fact, hi
did not blame George at all he regard
garded him as one who III An untoreu
, nate hour. had fallen into the hands O
mower which was too great for him
He pitied the happy bridegroom. anc
resolved as soon as possible to releas
, him from the tolls of a woman who ha'
charmed and enslayed him.
, In vain Georges wife Smed upon an
| entertained Mitrk Ripon. He vlsite
her new house indeed, for il was nece-
t sary TO watch her movements, but Meth
: er smiles nor songs, nor attentions NOV
| ed Mark. He had gone through the de
l,,e;n,, an an and ,tos not TN he Ipcplyp