St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-03-10
Selected Story
LOVE TRIUMPHED.

lie had the cheerful sun shone
% Tough the clouds. There was
as ther warmth nor light in the sky,
IN fell, and the earth, numbed by
"a cold, damp air, was devoid of
dness. Nature was repressed and
sympathetic.
Near the window of stately
"a nsion was an old man, whose life
Is typiied by the dreary day.
eRt tied in an invalid's chair, his head
'5xbpped by pillows, he YEARLY
IA tched the rain descend. He had
I'D, bony face, a firm mouth, thin
E13s tightly drawn over his teeth, and
rs to which the softer feelings were
Il IDENTITY strangers. His aspect,
ri m and repelling, was physical
of his character.
y Muttered sternly, his thoughts ran
ms:
My decision is final. 1 will speak
FL her once more, l will give her one
'nore chance If she yields, and she
u ust yield, unless totally lacking in
bmmon sense, l will leave my proper
IL to her, but if she shall persist in
braving my authority, | will dis
Saherit her; | will not leave her even
IL penny"
What did you say, grandpa !?
I'd you say you would not leave
zen a penny to me ~
1T was remarkably sweet voice,
&hough which quivered a note of
z2ain.
'You heard Alright" cried the old
IAN, in tones that were energetic, In
lite of his extreme feebleness.
THAT is-that is my decision unless
*bu will agree not to marry Ed
n ard Browning. 1t rests with you
Whether you will live in poverty or
Ia the most wealthy heiresS in the
I'd ate You are like your father, i'm
and visionary. If there
#Tere any of myself in you, you
~ ould not hesitate for moment as
I'D the course you ought to pursue"
Elijah Pendergrass closed his lips
b imly, and there was a look in his
acc that showed that the conscious
81 IS of his own superior wisdom
ave him much satisfaction.
care you certain, grandpa, that it
you'd he better for me were more
|fze you ?"
/ Mr.. Pendergrass was surprised by
Hhe question. He had expected that
Laura's first remark would be to
|beseech him to yield to her wishes.
MY great success in life sufficient
~ answers you" he replied, with the
egOtism of one who thinks that
what he had said has left no OPP
,o-t,,,,;+,, Fo,- f., - I,ar- :, ,-rr,,,77a,7+
"You really think that you have
succeeded ?"
Laura's tone was slightly sarca site.
Mr. Pendergrass was still more
surprised He frowned.
"Of course have succeeded. Why
do you talk so childishlv ?"
II beg pardon if 1 have irritated
YOU, but | feel that what | am ask
ing is important. And now, if you
will please tell me, l would like to
know what you regard as success. y
Mr. Pendergrass was very much
surprised and at first it seemed as if
he might petulantly refuse to CRAFTY
his granddaughter. But after think
with her request.
ITO succeed is to make a good liv-
ing, to accumulate a handsome
property, and to allow no one to get
the better of you in any transaction.
u have always maintained that a
1evel-headed man would not cheat
himself"
do you think you have never
Cheated YOURSELF"
Hardly that. [ never knew a
man that didn't make some mis-
Fakes; but my errors have been few,
i am thankful to say"
Il do not share your confidence,
grandpa. l think you have cheated
yourself"
Mr.. Pendergrass was astOnished.
He had not supposed that Laura
could be so audaciOus.
Il will tell you," continued the
girl, why 1 think you have chea ted
Yourself For the sake of making
money you have deprived yourself of
The greatest blessing. You have
.abstained from doing kind and
generous acts, consequently you have
grown hard and selfish, and have
Cheated yourself of the much joy
that comes to one who endeavOrs to
benefit his fellOw-men; you have not
cultivated a love for reading, and
have cheated yourself of much in
teresting knowledge and intellectual
pleasure; you have not cultiva ted a
love for the beautiful in the art OF
nature, and thus have cheated your
self of something invaluable that can
be obtained without m Oney and with
out price; you have not cultiva ted
any friendships, and you have cheat
ed yourself of the satisfaction OF
knowing that men regard you with
affection and esteem, and above all,
YOU have never known the heavenly
Joy experienced by one who loves
deeply and is loved as deeply in re-
turn"
Laura forgot the fear of her grand
father which she customarily felt,
and spoke with enthusiasm.
The old man noticed her glowing