Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-01-19
A CRUEL
.....REMARk.

rolling stone gathers no moss Fred
Wilbur will never be worth anything
He is constantly moving from one
place to another. Never succeeding
in anything remarked in pompous
dictatorial style. visitor at Mr.
Fessenden's dinner-table.
"no you make allowance tor vii
burs bringing up? a rich mans son
he never supposed j; would be neces.
sary 10 work for living, and did moi
learn trade or profession. 1t is hard
for him TO find suitable employment,
replied Mr.. Fessenden.
"He could find employment il he
were willing to work. He is looking
for position in which he will have
little to do. No. he is a WORTHLESS.
young man, too fond of amusement
nothing serious about him."
Indeed, ! always supposed there
was sense and principle beneath the
gayety."
Il never could discover either, and
| know him well. Depend upon it,
Fred Wilbur is only fit for the draw
ing room. He can dance and sing but
he has no depth"
Ella Fessenden's eyes sparkled with
Indignation, but she could not trust
herself to speak. She only glanced
insignifcanlly at her sister, and both
girls smiled. The visitor read their
faces Alright.
All young ladies. see you don't
believe me. OF course Wilbur is pop
ular with the ladies'; but YOU don t
know him as well as do"
Mabel looked indignant, and was
going to speak in her impulsive man
ner, but glance from her father pre-
vented her. Afterwards when the
visitor had departed, Mr.. Fessenden
spoke to his daughters
"My friend has satisfied me that
Wilbur is, to say the least, worthless
fellow. You know | have had many
doubts of him before now that one
who has such opportunities of judging,
tells me his real character, you will
not be surprised If | discourage his
visits here. Ella, | must thank you
for your silence to-day wish Mabel
to follow your example, should Will
bur be spoken of again
Elias cheeks flushed, and Mabel
exclaimed, eagerly:
Father, you forget Fred and Ella
are engaged :"
Engaged Nonsense, told Ella
when Wilbur's position in life was
changed that could not consent to
her waiting until he should retrieve
his fortunes"
"You were satisfied with him when
he was well-off."
Il supposed he was all he ought To
be; now | know he's not. When Mr..
Wilbur comes here again shall init
mate that his visits are undesirable. I"
Ella cried. and Mabel endeavorej
to console her by saying: :Don't fret,
Ella; Fred will live down these evil
reports. We must be patient for a
time and all will come right"
A few days after Mr. Wilbur called
when Mr.. Fessenden was out. and
Mrs. Fessenden and her daughters
were in the parlor. Mr.. Fessenden
was somewhat embarrassed. She knew
her husbands intentions, but had not
the courage to be cool to the young
man who had .been so long intimate
at the house. So she found herself
shaking hands and speaking in her
usual manner, and Ella and Mabel,
really liking him and trusting him,
were divided between the pleasure OF
having him there and the fear of their
father coming home.
The conversation was at first princi-
pally sustained by Mr. Wilbur and
Mrs. Fessenden. He had travelled a
great deal since he had seen them be-
lore, and had many incidents to relate.
After some time, however, he sat by
Ella and commenced to talking to her
in low tone.
ELLA, do you know ! think ! shall
be able to claim you sooner than |
expected. After great deal of trou-
bile ! have secured a oompetanoe for
my mother and sister. Brother will
live with them till he has finished his
schooling, then hope to be able to
put him in way to support himself
creditably Now have only myself
TO think of; and | have commenced
business for myself on a small scale.
! begin 10 like business you remem-
ber how hard found it at first, and
by the time am 4 millionaire, ! do
believe shall love to buy and sell.
He laughed pleasantly in his merry
way, as did Ella and Mabel-but
Elias face grew serious as she replied
sadly.
Fred, IL think ought TO tell
you-indeed you must not be offended
with me, it is very unpleasant. but it
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