Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-06-03
AN ACT OF CHARITY.

"Charity suffereth long and is kindp'
The words fell upon my ears like the
dropping of water upon rainy day. sa'
alone in the great, high backed pew in tht
old church, dividing my attention equally
between the sermon nnd the swallows dip
ping in and out Of the open window at my
side, trying to drown with their shrill chirp.
ing the sonorous voice of the clergyman
droning away in the queer little pulpit. And
smiled involuntarily, for Charity of the
old fashioned cognomen which My sponsors
in baptism saw fit to bestow upon me,
Charity Wayne being my full name. My
smile was repeated as Eric Perth's dark
eyes, full of mischief, met my own from his
seat across the aisle.
The Perth pew was quite full that day.
remembered that gay party of guests had
arrived at tie Perth mansion, the grandest
house in all Allandale. And there was
Nellie, sole daughter of the house of Perth,
arrayed like lilies of the field, in the midst
of the gay party. A twinge Of something
like envy touched my heart for an instant
as I thought of the great house and the
merry company. Then, quite ashamed of
my momentary weakness, TUNED my at
tention once more to the sermon, just in
time to hear the clergyman droning forth,
monotonously:
"Charity envieth not; charity vaunteth
not itself, beareth all things, believesh all
things, hopeth all things, endureth all
things"
The sermon came to an end at last. There
was futtering of drapery and subdued
hustle as the congregation filed out of the
church, pausing in the broad porch to greet
friends and neighbors, according to country
custom. In moment Eric was at my side.
''Charity," he began, in his usual quiz
zing way, 'you have been thoroughly ex-
pounded this morningl My dear child, you
look as solemn as an owl. Aud here is Nell,
who wants to invite you to join out party
next Thursday. We are going to have a
charity ball, preceded by a grand concert,
and we want You to sing"
"You must not refuse" interposed Nell
lie, quickly. "We will not take mo- for an
answer"
But in my hsart I felt an inner conscious
ness that it was my singing rather than my
society which this young belle and beauty
desired.
nodded acquiescence. I never could re.
fuse Nell anything; besides, I was just dy-
ing to 60.
Alone in the old fashioned .churchyard a
L
sunken graves and moss-grown headstones,
when, turning an abrupt corner at length.
came upon an unexpected apparition. Be
side lonely grave man had thrown him
self down upon the soft, green grass and
had fallen asleep. paused involuntarily.
A man Of some 80 years-the very hand.
soonest man had ever seen.
Something in his attitude as he lay there
touched my sympathy. He was evidently
no tramp or common wayfarer, for he wal
handsomely attired, and there was mag
nificent diamond solitaire upon one of hi.
slender, white f1ngers-a ring which spark
led like imprisoned sunbeams-as I pausee
irresolutely near.
The heat was intense-such day as only
our southern climate can bring forth. The
sunshine glinted in between the green pine
boughs overhead, and streamed across the
pale, delicate features Of the sleeping man.
A strange impulse prompted me. BEN
little closer over the recumbent figure ant
then ssarted back with feeling of repul.
sion.
''The man ls intoxicated!'' I exclaimed
aloud in disgust
1t was evident thst he had been wander
ing through the graveyard, and overcome b,
the influence of the drowsy god was taking
a siesta among the tombs.
Footsteps fell upon my ears knew tina
the old clergyman, Mr., Lynne, was com
ing. An odd feeling of pity touched m!
heart, followed by an inexplicable desire Il
conceal the strangers evident condition
from the stern old pasto.. 1t would be al
act of charity, Iargued. So hastily drew
my handkerchief from my pocket-a daint.
web of cambria, with CHARITY" embroid
cred with lilies OF the valley in one corn er
and flung it over the face of the sleeping
man. AS did 80 fell back with groal
of horror at the sight which met my eyes.
Not three feet from the unconscious sleep
er huge rattlesuake lay coiled ready 70
the fatal spring. A brief space and the maj
sleeping SO peacefully before me would b
fatally injured.
l turned swiftly and few to Mr.. Lynne
while with breathless haste l painted fort
the situation.
He motioned to me to stand aside, while
| calm and determined, be lifted the heav
cane which he carried. l never knew hos
| he did it, but the snake was soon disabled
and then, pale and half fainting, l dragged
myself away homeward, leaving Mr. Lynn
With the stranger, who had been unceremo
niously aroused from his slumber.
| All that week I was immersed in prep
arations for the concert and ball. To
poor, aiasl to purchase All expensive cos
tune for the occasion, worked away will
my own hands. and nc last produced quit
credisabie results.
The night of the concert .came-a warm
still June night, the sky flooded with silver
for the moon was young and the night per
feot. The Perth mansiOn was ablaze witt
light, the long drawing rooms crowded, ant
at the further end q temporary stage. M!
dress my only white swiss over pale blu
silesia, but the swiss was hand. .embroider
ed, and there was no prettier dress in th,
room.
After time found myself before th
curtain singing "Kathleen Mavourneen. ,