Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-08-22
". IT. b. GALLAHER, Editor
august -, 1894.
The Peach Figure.

Although the son and grandson OF
Government employees, | had no more
than fairly got started in the same career
than l resigned my position on account
of two peaches.
l was regular chip of the old block,
and my father thought nothing could
equal government career So, after |
had graduated, no one urged me to do
anything but take a subordinate place in
my fathers department. did not feel
strongly drawn toward another vocation
and submissively start d on the uninter.
esting highway of bureaucracy. l was a
diligent fellow and well disciplined, for |
had been taught from my cradle to re-
spect superior officials and to defer to
those in authority so l was noticed by
my chiefs and rapidly passed the first
grades OF clerkship. When l was twen-
ty-fve, my director, who was fond of me,
gave me place in his office, and ! be-
came the envy Of ny comrades. They
already spoke of me as prospective su-
periOr clerk, and predicted bright fu-
ture. 1t was then that married.
Ny wife was a beautiful girl, and,
what is better, very good and affection
ate; but she had no fortune. That was
grave fault in the eyes Of the little
world of clerks in which l lived. They
were very positive. They regarded mar
riage only as business transaction, and
they invariably took for the rule that iii
the husband provides the breakfast, the
wife must provide the dinner" Put my
wife and l bgtEaep US had hardly enough
to sup ineagerly. Everybody said | had
done very silly thing, and more than
one blunt colleague in my department
declared briefly that was fool and had
wilIfully put my foot n il. Neverthe
lass, my wife was very sweet and lovely
and, by living modestlY and with great
economy, we succeeded in making both
ends meet. Though my lack of foresight
was still condemned, the society people Of
the place deigned TO continue inviting us
My chief was rich, and delighted in
being conspicuous, priding himself or
making fine appearance in the social
world. He frequently received, gave ele
CANT dinners, and, from time to time, is
sued invitations for dancing party tC
the families of his employees and the
prominent people of the town. My wife
was suffering from neuralgia some month'
after our marriage, and, though | would
have much preferred to remain at home
with her, ! was obliged to 60 alone tC
these entertainments, for my chief would
not allow any one to decline his invita-
I
tions-bis subordinates must amus'
themselves according TO his orders.
One night there was grand ball q
the directory, and, of course, whether
would or no, | had to don my evening
clothes and 60,
While l put the finishing touches t
my white cravat, my wife gave me nu
merous suggestions at will be perfect.
lovely. Do not fail TO see everything s
as to tell me afterward. The names o
the ladies who are there, the toilets, ant
the supper menu-for there is to be
supper. 1t seems that they have ordere'
a great many delicacies from Chevet-
some rare fruits, / heard Of peaches tha
cost sixty cents apiece-oh, what peache
they must be Do you know. if you wer
good, you would bring me one"
demonstrated, l showed her that tn
thing was imrracticable, and how diff
cult it would be for a man in dress sui
to put such fruit as peach in his pocE
ct without the risk of it being seen an
pointed out. The more ! objected, th
more bent gpap her whim did she be
come.
Con the contrary, nothing could b
easier. In the midst of the crowd con
ing and going to supper, no one woul
see you. Take one as if for yourself, an
then hide it adroitly. Don't shrug you