Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-06-26

NNHN&~
Mr. Talbert, Merchant.
tanning the earliest years of discretion, the
sons decided that it was more incumbent
upon them than upon the generality of per-
sons to be particularly particular in their
choice of friends. AS they were amiable,
right-feeling young men, they looked upon
this duty as sad necessity.
Had they been tempted to swerve from this
line of conduct, respect for their father should
have kept them steadfast. He had always
impressed the great duty upon them. Before
the two boys were out Of the nursery the great
coup which is expected by every sanguine
business man came off. Mr.. Talbert realized
his capital and sold his business. He obtained
less for it because he made the stipulation that
his name should no longer appear in connec-
ton with it. Then, a widower with one
daughter and two sons, he bought Hazlewood
House, and settled down to drift gradually
into good society.
He educated his children by this creed. 1t
is the duty Of all people to rise in the world
both in commercial and social circles. Thanks
to his exertions and good fortune, the first
half of the obligation had been discharged.
The second rested chiefly with his children.
He did not tell them this in definite words,
but all the same preached it to them most elo-
uuently, and was more than content, and felt
that the fruits of his training were showing
themselves, when his daughter married Sir
Maingay Clauson, fairly respectable and
well-to-do baronet.
This satisfactory alliance gave the Talberts
lift in the social scale; although, so far as
Oakbury was concerned, it was little needed.
Mr.. Talbert had now been out of business for at
least ten years. He was quiet gentlemanly,
and, if not retiring, at least unobtrusive. His
wealth was estimated at about three times its
correct amount. With these advantages he
already found himself well received by the
families of position, his neighbors Content
as he no doubt felt on his own account, he,
nevertheless, held up their sisters brilliant
match as an example to his sons, and talked
so much about the necessity Of their choosing
their intimates fttingly that it is a marvel
the young men did not speedily develop into
fools or snobS.
But even now when verging upon middle
age they were neither-although any man
who would decline your acquaintance or
mine ought, of course, to be one or the
other-perhaps both. The worst that could
be urged against the Talberts was this: From
the very first they had told themselves: "We
can find as pleasant and as true friends among
the upper ten thousand-among those who do
not make their living by barter-as we can
among commercial people. Let us therefore
only associate with the best. A man has an
undoubted right to choose his own friends
Weshau not 90 out of our way to toady the
great, but with our ideas on the subject we
can only make associates of those whom we
no o]a of TlaOYla A D1lyA
of Badminton may associate with whonlsoever
he chooses. He is always, per Sc, the duke.
We are not dukes. Our father made his
money in-well never mind in what. We
are not even milionaires. We have enough
wealth to live comfortably and like gentle
men, but not enough to roll in. If we go hand
in glove with oil, tobacco, sugar, etc., we
must, on account of the narrow distance
which divides us from the status of commerce,
sink to the level or at least get COMPOUNDED
with those useful, respectable, profitable, but,
to us; distasteful commodities. Therefore it
behooves us to be fastidious even to fault.n
Who can blame such sentiments as these?
To nv mind there is kind of shrewd nobility
in them!
Why, with such sensible views on things in
general, the two young men did not follow
their sisters example and make brilliant
matches is matter which has never been
clearly explained When, after an immacu-
late career, they left Oxford, they were tall,
well-built, young fellows; moreover carrying
about them an inherent look of distinction.
So far as the world knew they had no vices
Indeed, in spite of stature, good looks, and
broad shoulders, in some quarters they were
accounted milksops. Perhaps because, in adj
dition to the polite, even courtly, style which
they strove to adopt towards every one, they
had many little innickng, old-maidish ways
which were source Of merriment to their
contemporaries Nevertheless, among those
who were honored with their friendship, the
Talberts were not unpopular. With many
women-the middle-aged especially-the
tall, handsome refined young men were
prime favorites. The fact of the brothers
having reached the respective ages of 40 and
Al without having selected helps-meet for
them argues that something which makes
marrying man was missing from their
natures.
It may be that the pleasure they found in
travel prevented their settling down. For
many years, either together or singly, the
| Talberts spent nine months out of the twelve
| away from home. Their father, who had no
| wish to see his sons striving in the ruck of
| humanity for the worlds prizes, made them
| handsome allowances. Greatly to their credit
| they lived within their incomes even saved
money These savings they invariably in
vested in works of art, SO that as years went
by their acquisitions if united would have
formed a valuable and tasteful collection, the
units of which had been culled from east,
west, north and south-so judiciously that
the brothers felt sure that, if such thing
were needed, the selection would enhance the
reputation they already enjoyed for refined
tastes and knowledge of matters artistic.
The brothers were the best of friends.
They understood and sympathized with each
sthers' likes dislikes and weaknesses. Only
,nce in their lives had they qualrelled, but
that quarrel had lasted for six years. They
shudder now as they look back upon that
time.
1t was no vulgar dispute, which is made
known to all the world and in which mutual
friends are expected to take sides. It was
only the Talberts themselves who knew that
a quarrel existed To outsiders they seemed
more absllrdly polite to each other than be-
| fore.
The cause of the quarrel was the interior
ence of one brother in the others affairs. They
were peculiar men, and very tenacious OF the
Englishman's duty of minding his own bust
| ueSS I'll d CeIUolu OCCtSlOu Ollo VI Clloil
fancied rather delicate matter as much his
own business as his brothers. He was mis-
taken. They did not use high Words because
such things were not in their line; but each
brother was sadly firm. The upshot was that
for six years they only spoke when they met
in society.
At last old Talbert died, His successful
daughter had been dead long time. The old
man left Lakewood House and its contents
to his sons conformity. The rest of his fortune
he divided into three parts, and left in this
proportion TO each Of his children OF their
children, if any, Then the sons met at Halle
wood House and considered what they should
do.
First of all, as was becoming, they made up
their differences Very little was said on
either side, but it was understood that cordial
relations were re-estab!shed. At which happy
conclusion each man rejoiced greatly-the
! six years. separation had been terrible affair
--and tacitlX registered vow that for tbs