Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-12-30

am sorry, but | can do nothing"
" Won't you look at it ?" she ven.
tured.
" NO, Pvc no time; very busy
with important letters. | can do
nothing for you"
lie hastily opened the door, al
most pushed her out, and, without
even "Good morning." shut the
door.
The little woman came to me. |
could not buy, but gave her some
names OF women ofmy acquaintance
VINO | thought would help her-at
least VIII" could do SO if they chose.
Among them was Mrs. r., a frivo-
l0us, newly married woman who had
never been suspected Of ever having
had sober, serious impulse, but
VINO was warm hearted and lOvable
and happened to be first on nv list.
With this ! dismissed the matter for
II time from my mind, as we are all
wont to do with things that are har-
rowing, c0ntenting ourselves with a
word or promise Of possible aid, like
the man who always looked upon a
DEBT as paid and cancelled after hav-
ing given his note for the obligation.
| Glanced to call on Mrs. II. some
time after, and what attracted nv
attention first in the drawing room,
after the lovely cOuntenance of the
hostess, was an unique empire cabi-
net surmOunted by bust of Napo-
leon and inside the identical Sevres.
surely the stone that the builders
rejected had become the head of the
corner. | curbed my curiosity until
the other visitors were gone, and
then, over cup Of tea, asked and
heard the story.
" 1t was one day last week. said
Mrs. II. "George was home to
luncheon. You know | made him
promise beforehand that he'd al.
ways come home to luncheon unless
was going out. Well, George was
home and brought papa with him,
and then they were going to a direc.
tors meeting-do have a rose leaf :;
Fred sent them from New York-of
some new company they have Just
organized. Papa is president and
there's ever so much capital behind
it. Their offices are lovely, i'm the
Altrurla building-yOu know those
new corporations always have such
fine offices. Don't you like flowers :?
Try nOugat. OF course they were
talking business, and when some one
came | was glad to get out and let
them finish alone.
Here was this pitiful little woman,
quite handsome at one time, should
say, but faded and out of style.
Why, | knew she was in trouble oe.
fore she spoke, for no pretty woman
would wear such clothes unless she
had to, and | guess, after all, was
Sorrler Tor her on that account than
anything else. Yes, and when she
showed me that China-now, don't
know anything about such things and
just have more glass and china than
there are places to put it; people
send 80 many of those things for
presents now-well, | told her |
didn't need any dishes, but If there
was anything else | could do-Just
then papa came in, and i'm minute
he was wild. He didn't see the lady
or anything else, but just those
dishes. Why, it's royal Sevres
Where did it come from? It's 100
years old! he cried, and he exam
ined the painting and the mark
watermark, believe, isn't it?
When he had finished his ectasies, |
explained the lady wished to sell it.
he was aghast. TO sell such treas
ure for S25 was rank robbery. Why,
don't you know they are priceless
he exclaimed.
never saw anything get the bet.
ter of papa's business judgment be.
fore. He asked how she came to
want to part with them, and she told
US, Oh, the most pitiful story. Her
husband was ont Of employment and
they had suffered everything for
months; didn't have enough to eat
l suppose. l never knew that kind
OF refined people could get 80 poor.
Papa bought the china for part of
my New Years gift. don't know
now much he gave. You can't ask
about a present. And George gave
her an address and told her to have
her husband call at the Office in the
morning. | never was so happy i'm
my life. After the men and the
little woman were gone had good
cry | was in the midst of it when
DR.. ID. called, and of course had to
tell him why was crying and every
thing. He was so interested, and he
had curious look on his face and
SAID: Thy ways are not our WAYS.
Mrs. r., your father is the best man
l ever knew And you know papa
isn't a church member at all hardly
ever goes to church.
Has Vary abla man Tho nan.
Woman's husband, George saws.
Ihey put him into the Office of the
company and think of making him
manager after the first Of the year.
lie told George that his wife is all
mat saved him in his trouble, and
she sees good i'm it all and says their
trials only made them nearer to each
other and that | won't know what
love is until trouble comes and we
fight it down together. We've
talked of it since. It's curious how
she happened to come to us. 1t
seems as if samething must have
sent her at last, doesn't it 2"
Perhaps. s.- Chicago Post.
--..s..S
WISE WoRDs.-Gold loses it's shine
when ii is gotten by guilt.
The best safe for your money is a
prudent wife.
y giant among giants is not aware
Of his own size.
The ass might sing better if he
didn't pitch his tune so high.
The man rObs others who does not
make the best of himself.
n" man ever gets discouraged in