Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-05

6fosY or 4 BAcaEIoR.
gTewpls parl
CHAPTER T..

oHAPTER L.
have been accustomed for some
~. longer than I care TO remember,
g <eecribs myself ~ man Of middle
~. re- people speak Of me IS IN Old
{ kSche,of--somctimes In derision, bat
1teossntly, fancy, with envy.
Zee, | am bscheIcr--the adjective
I conxidss unnccsssary--ra,her by mis-
1e1npcs than nything else, for never
Started on life with any intentions Of
eolibacy, or when young asserted my
5elf seeressively on tho subject.
All all might have been very di'ier-
mi if.--but that has nothing to With
ihs story. Atall events, l am bacne-
{, lor now. and intend to remain one.
Ny--weiI, the physical disadvantages
which time has brought--s tendency 70
s Smbonpoint. and more than partial bald
ne<s--although allies, are scarcely sui
6ciept protection. for l continually see
nuch Bcnedicts as myself striking their
colors and falling victims, mellow and
overripe, oreven witbered and gray ones,
20 brisk widows or bright-eyed maids
hardly out Of thoir teens. But | am
mxde Of sterner stuff; and having been
exposed--for am man Of property
% several severe tests, and having
come off unscathed from the encounter,
Imsy Justly conclude-rhat my heart is
Cupid-proof, and so journey on in
middie-aged meditation " fancy free."
l am sure could have made one woman
happy, IL had had the chance, but !
never did. II is too late now. so l
must be content with making myself
happy. thing not so easy as 1t looks,
for this work-a-dsy world is full OF
brisrs, even for old bachelors. IL
IA fortunate that have no
encumbrances, for my nerves are
not strong the least bother
inserferes with my digestion, although,
II people will let me alone, ! am peptic
euough. I have only one relative III
the worlds nephew, my poor sisters
only SON. Poor soul how she used
to dote upon the boy. But she died
suddenly, and her pension with her ;
40 I found myself the natural guardian
of bright, handsome young fellow,
but as impetuous and self-willed as
loving mother could make him. had
no desire to avoid the responsibility,
for | an the last man in the world to
shirk a duty, and besides, l felt great
Affection for him; nevertheless, wo
managed to quarrel, although it was
certainly not my fault.
We got on together remarkably well
for some time, until l decided l must
get him something to do, and naturally
with my experience was the fittest
Judge Of what was best for him. A
remarkably good opening was offered
inc for Charlie-that's the boys name
in the Office Of an eminent firm OF So
licitors. ! made the arrangements
without consulting my nephew,
thinking it would be a pleasant
surprise to him; but such is
the perversity of youth that he
actually scofied at the idea, de-
declaring that he would rather enlist
for soldier than perch himself on an
Office stool. I was very much dis
gusted, for l had been praising the
young mans zeal and aptitude to the
partners in prophetic terms. Now,
Charlie had been dabbling in art in ali
amateurish way for some time, and al
though could see he had talent-for |
am man Of artistic discernment-he
had never learned to draw correctly.
"Then what the deuce DO you intend
to do for a livipg:" said angrily.
81 mean to take to art" said he,
blushing little.
cart indeedr cried ], sarcastical-
"; "you don't call those COMPOUNDED
daubs Of yours art"
"Hardly yet" said he, getting red
der, shut hope to-"
"Do you expect people will be fools
enough to buy any picture you're likely
to paintf'
"I'll wait and see," said he; "at
any rate, I'D rather be q bad artist than
bad attorney. At least cant cheat
anybody"
sNot unless you find some one green
enough to buy one Of your pictures, !
answered, "and that's not likely"
The dispute at this point becomes a
little indistinct. / was exceedingly
angry and suffering from slight at
tack Of govt. / fancy, however, | told
Charlie he might 20 to the deuce for
sosht cared, and he seemed to take
me at my word, for he left the house
and have not seen him since.
~ have learned, however, that he has
been earning precarious livelihood by
giving drawing lessons, and am told he
declares he would rather 60 to the
work-house than be burden on his re-
latives. Strange he should speak Of me
in the plural? How disrespectful il
sounds
II is two years ago that he left me.
Often see my sisters eyes looking al
me reproachfully, and how willingly
would kill the fatted calf for this
foolish prodigal If he would give Inc q
chance.
Why cannot the boy put his pride in
his pocket and ask me to forgive him.
CHAPTER II.
II Was the delightful June weathe,
that TAINTED me To take n cottave n,