Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-04-08

Toleration and liberality should mark it's
| every act. M. Q. II.
Surry county, Va, March 90. 1891.
A SAD CASE.
am poor clerk, and to one woman
owe my financial misfortunes. fell in
love with this subtle siren almost at first
sight. She was dressmaker of bewilder-
ng beauty, one of the kind that men want
70 die for, but she never gave me the oppor-
unity.
During my wooing she told me that she
had encouraged the attentions of an old
widower the Summer before in order to
keep the young men away who frequented
the hotel where she boarded by the sea.
The Irritation, she said, was very amusing.
and it was very easy to ward off an open
declaration.
Well, to shorten my story, will say that
the more met Minnie Jameson the more
l was convinced that loved her. and l
| waited on Mr.. Ketchum, partner of my
establishment, one day to ask for raise of
salary. ] told him that had had only one
| raise in seven years, and that heard the
business had prospered.
swell, yes, we can't complain of our
| to offer? Perhaps, like the rest of us, you
are contemplating marriage?"
l was emboldened by a sympathizing
| twinkle in the old mans eyes to confess the
truth.
"Now that you have mentioned the SUBJ
ject, sir, may as we'll acknowledge that 1
| have reason to believe my attentions are &C.
ceptable to certain young lady, and the
only impediment to our marriage seems to
be the smallness of my income."
"Would there were never any more seri-
GUS obstacle to happy marriage" said the
head of our house musingly; then turning
his gaze full upon anxious me: II will see
what we can afford to do for you. sir, and l
think you may expect favorable answer,
Good morning, SIR"
murmured thanks and hastened back to
my desk, where an intoxication of happy
visions made the long columns of figures
reel through my brain. never for an in.
stant doubted of receiving large increase
of salary. of obtaining Minnie's consent to
our marriage.
That very evening dressed myself in
my best. and appeared earlier than usual in
Minnie's parlor. 1t was already brilliantly
lighted. Minnie seemed to have taken un
common pains with her toilet, strange light
glowed from her beautiful eyes Had she
OWNED my coming and its objectP
sat down beside her, took her hand in
mine and poured out the tale of my love.
She heard me to the end, then sighed a long
and deep sigh, withdrew her hand, and
said:
''There is no one in all the world could
not, cannot be. Heaven has willed it 9TH
aruica IN hic 1oet viait ho doctOr told m
an immediate change of scene could alone
prolong my fathers life; and that my moth
er must soon stop work or die. Should a
daughter think of her own happiness under
such circumstances? To-day have receiv-
ed note from the man who was SO atten
tive to me last Summer. He insists upon
seeing me at once, and he is coming here
this evening. Yes, hear him coming up
the stairs now, and we must part, perhaps,
forever. Kiss me goodby, and ever think
of me kindly"
Her beautiful face and tear. bedimmed
eyes were raised to mine, as we stood up
together. 1t was like the last glimpse of
heaven to the wretch doomed to everlasting
punishment. folded her in my arms, and
imprinted the saddest and sweetest kiss of
my life upon her unresisting lips.
As turned away to 60 the door opened
quickly and gave admittance to no less a
person than Mr.. Daniel Ketchnm, the head
of the great commercial house that number
ed me among its lowest subordinates.
We we're both struck motionless with the
amazement of our mutual recognition. I
recovered first and bowed deeply in passing
out of the room, but stony stare of angry
aversion was the rich mans only response.
wandered around the streets of our
great city until early dawn in an agony of
despair; any street fray attracted ne in the
hope stray bullet or bloodthirsty stiletto
might end my misery; the gay lights of the
apothecary's window spoke to me of che
soothing poison within; and I peered over
the docks into the darkly flowing river and
longed for the peace of the dead beneath its
murky waves. More dead than alive found
my way home at last and tossed about on
my restless couch all day long. did not
go down to business that day, it would have
been an utter impossiblity; but business
came to me in the following note:
Sir-Euciosed please find check for your
salary to the end of the current month. For
reasons best known to yourself, you consid-
er your connection with Ketchum 81 Co. at
an end. Yours, &c.,
DANIEL KETCHUM.
One week later the papers announced the
marriage of Mr.. Daniel Ketchum and Miss
Minnie Jameson.