The Osceola times., 1886-12-11
FAMILY PRIDE.
Why a Young Artist Cast 1t All
Aside.

There never lived a be'ter-hearted
fellow than my friend Gerald De voissy;
but he had one failing, out of which.
some years back, he was most artfully
beguled Gerald's grand weakness
was family PRIDE. He belonged to an
aristocratic French family, the members
of VIII ch bade ad!eu to france about a
century ago, with a view to making a
home and wealth in this country. A
love of the old name had been handed
down from father to son, and one Of
the boasts of the De Vossys was that
no plebcan blood ever mingled with
theirs. At the same time Gerald had
not fortune enough TO keep up the ideas
of grandeur which had been part of his
education lie and led a Bohemian
sort of life, for both had adopted the
same profession-ar We worked in
studio which was the most inartistc
place YOU ever saw, and our rooms ad-
. Joined each other on the same floor.
How loved our old stud o, right at the
top Of house which commands good
view of Central Park,
From the windows we could watch the
autumn turning the trees into crimson
and gold. or the delicate touch of spring
tintIng the foliage with those fresh de-
licious shades which we loved to repro
duce on canvas. Then our room was a
curious medley of half-finished sketches,
painting materials. old armor hanging
on the walls, curiously wrought fabrics
strewn here aud there. and n the win
dows our easels bedaubcd with patches
of every possible color We were both
making rapid success in our profession.
] worked hard for the sake of Alice, a
darling blue-eyed girl, who had prom
ised to make me happy some day. Ger
aid worked from pure ambition, for he
had good eXpects tons from his rela-
iions. The kindest friend in the house
was the ianitor's wife, good. respect
able woman, but in very reduced cir
cumslances. She granted us MANY little
privileges and was always willing to
render us any small service in her
power.
One morning our quiet life was inter-
rupted by the arrival of a black-edged
letter for Gerald De Voissy, which bore
the French postmark.
II announced the death of an aunt.
He had not met the old lady for years;
so did not expect to see him 90 into
paroxysms of grief on hearing of her
deccase; but was rather surprised to
see the look of delight that overspread
his features as he read the last page OF
the letter.
"llow can YOU be so heartless. l
exclaimed. las TO look pleased over
such sad event?"
"Well. it is an awful shame, replied
Gerald looking penitent, "but, my dear
old boy, do congratulate me. | am lett
heir to the greater portion OF my poor
apnt's fortune, somewhere near three
thousand dol ars year. Tbs letter IS
from one of her nephcws. He tells my
aunts generosity arose from the tact
that my mother was her favorlte sister,
and not from any personal interest III
myself, as she never saw me since
was a schoolboy."
'I sincerely rejoice at your good for
tune. Gerald, and there is no felloW
who deserves il better than you do'
! replied, as ] grasped his hand and
shook it warmly.
r"Wcll. then, let us celebrate the day
BY taking holiday" he cried. I'VE
will run dowi TO Long Branch, ana
then you will have a chance OF seeing
your iinancee.n
Such an offer was too tempting to be
refused. for | knew Alice and her
parents We're staying there. 30 we
gladly closed our untidy studio and pre-.
pared TO enjoy day on the sands AT
Long Branch. As we went down
stairs we stopped few moments 10
speak to the good-soulcd Mrs. kopn'ns'
the house-keeper. already alluded TO,
for Gerald was eager to acqualrt her
with his good fortune. He had, how
ever. scarcely begun TO speak before thc
rustic of a lady's dress was heard, anu
IN an instant a young girl brushed pa.
HIM and threw her arms aflectlonaiciy
around Mrs. Robbins neck. -,
How are YOU, dear mother sue
cried, in a sweet, soft voice. II an 50
glad 10 come back to you
The good old woman kissed her re-
peatedly, while Gerald looked on IN au,
mira,lon and surprise at the beauty ana
grace of the young girl. n,..
Pcrceiv ng his wonder, Mrs hooplhS
said. laughingly: -,
"You DID moi know. Mr.. dc VoIssy.
that had 20 fiue . young woman 'or
q lighter. thought l vouli give yov,
. ssast some day. Bat 80 on ana ~
y q ,our good fortune Ism 'uPs-