Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-08-31
ELMER LEE,
OR, The MODEL CLERK.
(sEQUEL.)
(sEQUEL.)
BY W. G.

DI W. os
Elmer Lee, as may be supposed
from his character as clerk, be-
came merchant of note. His good
character and gentlemanly deport-
ment as a citizen gained him access
to the best society. Whoever be-
came acquainted with him. and no.
ticed his punctuality, regularity,
honesty and energy in his business,
and his kindness, candor and truth.
fitness in his intercourse with friend
and stranger, could no. help but es-
TEEN, admire and honor him. New
ertheless, as he was brought up and
accustomed to plain and unosten-
tatious manner OF life, he continued
therein as far as circumstance and
his position would admit. The es-
TEEN in which lie was held did not
make him vain. He avoided all I'M
necessary show and expense and in
less than two years he was in con-
dition to refund the money advanced
by his friend, Mr.. May.
Our young merchant, however,
found what many others before him
had found,-that it is not good for
man TO be alone" and that a good
helpmate is essential in this life. He
needed a wife and he had thus far
seen and known but one who he
thought would be congenial life
companion, and that was the fair
and lovely Lillian, daughter of his
friend and benefactor-Allen May.
He knew her from innocent child
hood to blooming maidenhood. and
had long, but secretly and sincerely
loved her, and believed that his love
was as sincerely returned rs cherish
ed by him. On that sco;e he had no
misgiving, but was not so sure OF
her fathers consent. However, he
called on Mr.. May, and, not without
some diffidenee, made known his OBJ.
ject. Mr.. May, 80 far from making
any objection, gave his consent read
lily and cheerfully, for he knew that
thereby he would gain a son worthy
of the daughter.
Their union proved to be a very
happy one, They seemed to have
been destined for each other. Lii
lian, like Elmer, loved quiet, do
nestle life, and yet life of activity,
with order and contentedness and
thus passed several years-years of
happiness, during which time they
we're blest with two lovely children,
daughter and son, and Elmer
Lee was both a happy and prosper
GUS man, and little dreamt what cal.
amity await to disturb the easy flow
of life.
AS storm sometimes succeeds
calm, so misfortune sometimes fol-
lows in the wake of prosperity, and
Elmer Lee was not destined to he
exempt from disaster and loss. IN
expectedly his star OF fortune was
eclipsed, and he was compelled to
reap the bitter fruit of misfortune.
His financial success enabled him
to increase his business, and he made
heavy purchases of costly goods and
filled his store and wareroom TO
their utmost capacity. Satisfied and
happy under these circumstances,
he exclaimed, NOW, / am amply
supplied with goods for a whole
year"
One Of Elmer's friends, who lived
on a farm near the town, invited him
to spend an evening and night with
him, to meet a mutual friend of both,
who came from Chicago on a visit.
He accordingly drove out in antici-
patton Of spending a pleasant even
ing at the house of his friend.
Tho three friends had scarcely
been together an hour when signs Of
a storm began to show themselves,
and ere long it broke forth in great
fury. Elmer was greatly alarmed
about his family, and was anxious to
make his way back TO town, but the
dashing rain prevented him. They
were in hopes that the storm would
soon subside; but towards eleven
o'clock two thunderstorms met and
the thunder and lightning was ter
rife to a degree that filed every one
with fear and terror.
Directly a great light was seen
in the direction of the town. The
servants rushed in exclaiming at
has struck some building, and it is
on fire" This caused great ex-
citement and commotion throughout
the whole house. Elmer alone was
calm and collected. He called for
his horse, and resisting all impor-
tunities, drove off at once. He
thought that it might he his own
house, and this caused him to drive
with all speed through the raging
storm. He was not mistaken. His
own house and store stood in flames,
already half consumed.
"Where is my wife /? Where are
my children I" he cried, as he APP
peared at the scene of the disaster.