Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-02-16
LOVE AND BUSINESS.

In the cosy little private Office appper-
tanning to their business house sat Halli-
day and son. Halliday was bluff. heavy
old fellow of 81 or thereabou.s. with rair
of keen bright eyes, which twinkled incas-
sanity. and was seated in his chair with his
heels upon his desk. Son was II young man
of %, tall, dark and handsome, clad in a
suit of navy blue Il 4nnel, and was seated
on corner of the desk looking down upon
his father.
"Who is the object of your all.devour-
ing passion. en-. DICK, my boy?" the old
gentleman asked. ''Some chit OF school
grip"
'.IIer name is Wilkins" replied the
| Young man. "She is widow-a double
| widow. I will SAVIOR she has been mar
ripd twice, and is-come, don't let your
chin drop 20 such an alarming extent,
for outside of all she is worth $50 900.
although that, in my case, is feath.
er's weight in the scales. She IS &C.
tually 20, but looks ten years younger,
and is AZ pretty as a picture. She has
| OtIc ChJtus uhuSA Ots "hO 40 0u cNuo'i
in Paris; but as she is heiress to a cool
500, OOn. she is not an incumbrance by
any means.
Dick Halliday. you're fool ~ ex-
claimed the old gentleman, Tho wo.
man is almost old enough to be your
mother"
IN vt quite as bad as that"
IL say, sir, she's almost old enough tc
be your mother Have you committed
yourself-has she ensnsred your"
Don't you remember cur old agree
ment, father. that when Thought OF mar
rying would consult with you before
taking the stepp / will therefore intro
duce you to Mrs. Wilkins, let you study
her character, and then abide by you'
decision; for have no doubt Us to what
1t will her,
..Ab!" said the old gentleman. "that't
better. That's decidedly better. You MAJ
introduce me. Dick, and promise you my
unb ased opinion of the bswitc ling crea
ture.''
s.All right. When will you R0!"
Tonight, tomorrow, any time yor
iplease; but see here, Dick. to change tht
subject, how about his London business2'
It's going 60 ruin.
swell. suppose we send man to looh
after it,
"Send!" cried the old man. THAT won I
do at all; one or the other of us must 60
We've trusted entirely too much OF late
and our home interests are almost as bad az
our foreign. Now. Dick. iii tell you wha,
I'll do. II you will 60 to London and
straighten things up, I'll give you my an.
swer concerning your fame the moment
you return. I've been over 80 often that
'he very thought Of going makes me sick
Come, what do you say DICK 70
IF you desire it father. I'll go, certain.
ly.''
Then that's settled. Where are you of
'onnw?'
Il was going to the Aston. but I'll wait
until evening and then You can accom-
pany me-"
"AlI right, Dick all right; but don't
commit yourself. Beware Of widows, you
know"
That evening HALLIDAY and son repaired
tn the Aston Hnnse and we're conducted
to one of the private parlors. In few
minutes Mrs. Wilkins entered. and it was
plain to be seen that the old gentleman
Was amazed. He did not wonder at his
sons infatuation, and afterward acknnwl
edged her to be the most bea ntiful woman
he had ever seen. When at length they
took their departure after spending de
. lightful evening. tho son said:
''Wbat do you say, father ?"
"Give me time, my boy. give me time,
was the reply.
The next day hut one Dick started fo1
London. The weather was fair, the pas
sage a prosperous one, and he reached hi
destination safe and sound. He found thu
business in a terrible stat. and his hands
I and mind fully occupied, aud week slip
;; o. d by. One morning he received lette
from his father, a portion Of which ran q
follows:
s.Concernlng the widow, am we'll pleas
ed with your choice. Size is a gond woman
as good as beautiful A trifs too old TO
I you is my only objection"
Ano. her week went by and another let
ter came in which, speaking of the widow
the old man said
II am astonished at your extraordinary
good jud .ment in snch m stter. Th'
mure i see lhs lady the better am pleas
ad. SUE is IN ,st * :slleut lady ia ever,