Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-11-27
FAMILY PRIDE.

fellow than my friend Gerald De
Voissy; 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-
longed to an aristocratic French fam
lily, the members of which bade adieu
to France about century ago, with
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. He and I led a Bohemian
sort of life, for both had adopted the
same profession art. We worked in
studio which was the most inartistic
place you ever saw, and our rooms ad-
Joined each other on the same floor.
How / 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
to reproduce on canvas. Then our
room was a 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
bedaubed with patches of every pos
sible color. 'a
We were both making rapid success
in our profession. I worked hard for
the 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-
llouS ITOm his relations.
The kindest friend in the house was
the janitor's wife, 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.
One morning our quiet life was in
terrupted by the arrival of black
edged letter for Gerald De Voissy,
which bore the French postmark.
1t 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
decease; but l was rather surprised to
see the look of delight that overspread
his features as he read the last page of
the letter.
Chow can you be so heartless," |
exclaimed, "as to look pleased over
such sad event ?"
swell, it is an awful shame" replied
Gerald, looking penitent, "but, my
dear old boy, do congratulate me. 1
am left heir to the greatest portion of
my poor aunt's fortune, somewhere
near three thousand dollars a year.
This letter is from one of her nephews.
He tells me my aunt's generosity arose
from the fact that my mother was her
favorite sister, and not from any per-
sonal interest in myself, as she never
saw me since | was schoolboy."
81 sincerely rejoice at your good
fortune, Gerald, and there is no fellow
who deserves it better than you do" 1
replied as grasped his hand and shook
it warmly.
"Well, then, let us celebrate the day
by taking a holiday" he cried. 1--WE
will run down to Long Branch, and
then you will have chance of seeing
your iancee." .a..
Such an offer was too tempting to be
refused, for I knew Alice and her par
ents were staying there. So we gladly
closed our untidy studio and prepared
to enjoy our day on the sands at Long
Branch.
Aswe went down stairs we stopped a
few moments to speak to the good
souled Mrs. Robbins, the housekeeper,
already alluded to, for Gerald was
eager to acquaint her with his good
fortune. He had, however. scarcely
begun to speak before the rustic of a
lady's dress was heard, and in an in
slant a young girl brushed past him
and threw her arms affectionately
around Mrs. Robbins neck.
How are you, dear mother?" she
cried, ina sweet, soft voice. az am so
glad to come back to you"
The good old woman kissed her re-
peatedly, while Gerald looked on in
admiration and surprise at the beauty
and grace of the young girl.
Perceiving his wonder, Mrs. Robbins
said, laughingly:
80 Nn,1 did NOT l,ooo, NJ n W.T..