The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-01-14
Selected Storp.
His Ancestor.

pOSeu WAS WOrln II IDllllOD JWO VI luIcc
times over has failed" said one
fashionable young man to a group of
fashionable young men at an evening
swell party, where none but those who
either have or expect to inherit large
fortunes can attend.
d" How about young Clarence Ley
DOM" asked Paxton Lightman, young
man about eighteen, who was noted as
being the best dancer, the strongest
athlete and the greatest flirt among
the swells of fashion, and also that his
father was worth much more than "a
million.
"That is the hardest part of it," said
the first speaker. He will be obliged
to go to work, and he does not know
how to do a single thing"
"That is tough" exclaimed another
young man, TO have ones governor
fail just when one needs him, or rather
needs his cash in society,""
"That is not my idea at ALL" said
another. We ought to be able to
take care Of ourselves independent of
the governor. AS for my place, am
studying medicine, of which l have
liking. | am not going to be fashion
able pauper all my life. think that
the young man who depends upon his
father is dependent, and any one of
my age who is wholly dependent is a
pauper." Just then the music COM
menced and the conversation ended.
1t was late that night, or rather early
in the morning, that Paxton Lightman
got to his own home. He found that
his mother had not forgotten him, but
had bright fire in the dining-room
crate for him, and a lunch upon the
table. As he ate his lunch the CONVEX
sation came back TO him, but most
prominent of all was the words I" one
who is wholly dependent is pauper."
That must mean him. He had never
earned cent in his life. Why need
he? Was not his father rich? And did
he not have his books and his athletic
club, and was he not having plenty of
fun in society? Around upon the wall
were the pictures of his ancestors.
Queer place for them in the dining
room, but that was freak of his
fathers. There was Sir John Light
mans picture. Sir JOHN was his great
grandfather. His father and mother
took great deal of pride in Sir John.
Having finished his lunch, he moved
his chair around so as to get the full
benefit of the fire. Yes, he was from
the aristocracy, but Zone wholly de-
pendent is a pauper." He became
aware that he was not alone. Over in
the large easy-chair sat an old man.
Who was he? For all the world he
looked like the picture of Sir John.
- Good evening, Paxton" said the
old man.
Good evening, sir; but l did not
know you were here. Who are you?"
said Paxton,
* ] am your great-grandfather."
Sir John?"
"No, not Sir John, but John Light
man."
But "-and Paxton turned to the
noted picture, when behold the frame
was empty, the picture having disap-
peared. Where was ii?
"That is all riSh..," said the old : s o.,
1leman, who noticed the puzzled look
upon the young mans face; 81 was
tired and concluded that would come
out and have a talk with you. / have
seen you as you have been in and out
of this room. | have wanted to talk
with you. You see, Paxton, / have
heard your father and mother talk so
much about Sir John Lightman that |
got sick and tired of it, and tonight !
made up my mind that | would leave
the old frame, where | had been for
seventy-five years, and come down here
and have talk with my great-grandson,
who, | am afraid, will grow up and be
an educated fool, or rather foolish
boy with good education"
Il don't understand" exclaimed
Paxton, who hardly knew whether it
would be wise or foolish to be offended
at the smiling old man. What do
you meau?'
Well, to be plain, Paxton, used to
work"
"You work, Sir John?"
s. Do not call me Sir john there was
never Sir John Lightman. That is
all in the imagination of your father"
who and what were your"
"John Lightman, who has the honor
of being your great-gran dfather. Here
is a bit of family history. | was a
candle-maker in London, and made a
fortune by it. After l died my two
sons, the eldest of which was your
grandfather, continued the business
after me, and they, too, made money.
Your fathers inheritance from his
father was enough to make him rich
He could not play me off as Sir John in
London, so he came to America, bring,
ing me with him. In America he mar
ried your mother, and here we are
And | am not Sir John at all; | an
simply John Lightman, formerly candle
maker in London"
Really, this is interesting" said
Paxton.
Yes; but l heard you say tonight
since you came home from the party
that one who is wholly dependent is &
pauper."
Yes, | did say that"
Then, my great-grandchild, remem
Der 1t; you nor no one else ever made
more true statement"
Just as the last word fell from the
old mans lip, he quickly disappeared
from the chair, the blank space in the
frame hanging on the wall was filed