West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-10-31
imprOmptG lunch furnished by the head

Dut she, poor cnllu, would have to
wear simple blue gingham, freshened
up by few yards of new ribbon, and
last years hat, pressed over. She had no
money to spare for gauds and frillings.
The blessings of the poor, the incense
OF good works secretly done, were not
things that could be worn at picnic.
81 shouldn't wonder" thoughtfully
observed GIMME, as she walked down
the street, side by side with Flora, '.if
Mr.. Ormond proposed ON Tuesday.
There's be plenty of opportunities, I'm
sure"
do you think he loves you, Ginniel'
"Oh, I've an idea or two on the sub
Ject!" said the beauty, with a conscious
toss of the head. "To-be- sure, fore
man in a suit factory isn't much; but in
time he'll aspire TO something better, l
don't doubt And I'm tired of this
drudging, penny counting lifel Beside, -
and she suddenly frightened up, "Alma
Grover says he's got rich, eccentric old
uncle, who can leave him pot of money
one of these days. There's that to be
considered!"
"'Dead mems Shoes quoted Flora
"Iou remember the proverbl its i'll
waiting for themr
proverbs are nonsensel" said Ginnie
What are you going into this dismal
little hole for, Flora?'
'I'm having parasol repaired here. ~
said Flora. at won't detain us a mo-
ment"
Like young Princess entering the
dungeon of a subject, Virginia Vane de-
scended two or three steps into n base
ment store, where little old man in
spectacles and brown wig sat working
at faded cotton umbrella, and a small
regiment of canes, parasols and umbrellas
were set up in the window.
Flora NODDED pleasantly to him; he re-
turned the greeting courteously.
''lts done, all but the button and elias
tic, said he in the nasal tone of a con
Smed snuff -taker. "Ill have il here in
a minute"
GLOW is the poor woman on the floor
abovel" asked Flora.
''Better, a deal, said the umbrella
mender. "That week in the country air
just set her up"
"And the sick babyg"
The old man shook his head
dead" said he. 81 gave the mother
the dollar you left. 1t helped to buy
decent grave-clothes."
"Flora" cried Virginia, "you don't
mean that you'er throwing away your
hard-earned money on every nest of beg
gars in Elm streetW
Flora colored.
81 don't call it throwing it away" she
said
"And you're actually going to the pic
mic with that shabby old thing" said
Girnie, disdainfully eying the repaired
parasol, which the old man had now pro-
duced. "Wel, / only beg you'll be
oblging enough to keep at a respectful
distance from mel l shall carry one of
maroon watered silk, trimed with white
lace that cost eight dollars"
Flora answered her nothing, but took
out her little chamois-leather purse to paw
the seventy-fve cents for repairs, and Vir
ginia, determined to tease her, went laugh
ingly on.
sits all nonsense, Flo, you're running
after the poor" declared she. 'Iet the
poor take care of themselves, say L."
"And while you are letting them take
care Of themselves, young lady" said
the old umbrella-mender, impressively.
"they are starving to death. "
Virginia tossed her head.
''Let them starve," said She "I don't
think it would make much difference TO
anybody whether they lived or died"
The umbrella-mendcr looked hard at
her.
"Young lady," said he, in his quaint
way, ''you have face like one of Gods
angels, but you talk like those that herd
with Lucifer."
"Come along, Flo," said Virginia,
with freezing glance at the old man.
'lt may do very well for you to patron
ize this sort of thing, but mean to
spend all the money / want when ] am
married TO viii Ormond.
The umbrella-mender looked quickly
up.
"Ormond," said hc-''Win Ormondl :
IL IS not q common name. Is this Young
woman engaged to William Ormond. Of
the Orient Suit Factory, in Penrogel
street,"
Virginia cOiored to the roots Of her
hair. In her silly cxultation she had al
lowed herself to speak most indiscreetly.
"What business is it Of yoursg" she
retorted. losing her presence Of mind
still further.
Nothing" said the umbrella .mender.
"Only be happens to be my nephew"
Virginia escaped from the little store.
dragging amazed Flora after her
~ knew there was ill luck in that hide.
ous hole, FLO she gaspcd. do you
think he spoke the TRUTH Or was IL only
to frighten met Oh, Flol what had /
better dof"
The old umbrella mendcr smiled. and
looked after the retreating forms, and
took snuiT, and then smiled again.
When William Ormond came In M
usual to sit half an hour in the back
shop with his eccentric relative, Alexau.
der Dowd commonly called Sandy.
the old man gave him a vivid word pic.
ture Of the late occurrence.
"Two Of 'em, " said he-"one No. pretty
ss any picture, the other Just health
some, soncy lass, but with a heart Of
gold. VIII, lad, you're all the same ~ "A
son to me, but If you married that girl
with the pink checks and the dark
sparkling eyes, I should feel as If you
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