The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1886-12-18
J FAMILY PRIDE. ,

- - --1- ~ IL ,a-
There never lived a better hearted
fellow than my friend Gerald DE
Veissy; but he had one failing. out Of
: which, some years back, he was most
artfully beguiled. Gerald's grand
weakness was family pride. He be.
ionged to an aristocratic French fam
lily, the members of which de adieu
to France about century ago, with 4
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
Voissys was that no plebeian 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. He0and l led a Bohemian
. sort OF life, for both had adopted the
same professioa-art. We worked in a
studio which was the most inartistic
place you ever saw, and our rooms ad-
joined each other on the same floor
How l loved our old studio, right at
the top OF house which commands a
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, delicious shades which we love
70 reproduce on canvas. Then our
room was curious medley of half
finished sketches, painting materials.
old armor hanging on the walls, curl
ously wrought fabrics strewn here and
there. and in the windows our easels
oedanbed with patches of every pos
sible color.
We were both making rapid success
IN our profession. / worked hard for
tile sake of Alice, a darling, blue-eyed
girl who had promised to make me
happy some day. Gerald worked from
pure ambition, for he had good expecta-
lions from his relations.
The kindest friend in the house was
the Janitor's wife, a good, respectable
woman, but in very reduced circum-
stances. She granted us many little
privileges, and was always willing to
render us any small service in her
power.
Une morning our quiet life was in
serrupted by the arrival of a black
eoged letter for Gerald De Voissy,
winch bore the French postmark. >,
" announced the death of an aunt.
ne had not met the old lady for years:
so did not expect to see him 20 into
paroxysms of grief on hearing of her
aecease; but l was rather surprised to
see the look of delight that overspread
ms features as he read the last page of
the letter.
How can you be so heartless," I
eAcialmed. "as to look pleased over
such sad event 2"
NEIL 1t IS an awful shame" replied
ucfaid, looking penitent. "but,s my
u0af old boy, do congratulate me. I
.'Al 'Aui ieft heir to the greatest portion of
uy poor aunt's fortune, somewhere
lsaf three thousand dollars year.
ahls !, letter is from one Of her nephews.
.'s Tells me my aunts generosity arose
.'om the fact that my mother was her
iasoflte sister, and not from any per-
s0nal interest i'll myself. as she never
aAW me since | was schoolboy." =
sincerely rejoice at your good
'iortune, Gerald, and there is no fellow
"ho deserves it better than you dol
iepned as grasped his hand and shook
4 AWarmly aH
wen, then. let us celebrate the day
" taxing holiday he cried. "Nye
:. aiii run down to Long Branch, and
e'en You viii have chance Of seeing
your fancee.e
oaeh an offer was too temptiny to be
s'eiused. for | knew Alice and her par
sas0 ss.S we're staying there. So we gladly |
!. s''sea our untidy studio and prepared |
= = clsloy our day on the sands at Long
Branch.
'.- we went down stairs we stopped a
. :" moments to speak to the good
spuiea Mrs. Robbins, the housekeeper,
sAcay alluded to. for Gerald was