The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1899-03-15
satan,s Stronghold.

there lived two well-to-do formers,
Mr.. Bragg and Mr.. Holland. For
twenty-five years they had lived in
uninterrupted friendship, their
children had grown up together,
loved and respected each other.
However, tho time had come when
the families must be socially sep
arated. Mr. Bragg had been 80
successful in business that he was
considered rich man, while Mr..
Holland, (who was the son of a
clergyman,) had met with reverses.
He had indorsed bond for a
friend and become bankrupt, hav-
ing to pay this large amount. This
was hoavy blow to this noble
christian family, especially to poor
Lizzio, the eldest daughter, who
had anticipated pleasant and
profitable term at school With the
Misses Bragg However, she took
the disappointment with christian
fortitude and intelligence, and said:
81 am glad that it is no worse; how
thankful we should be that we all
live and have health; and said to
her mother, now just dismiss the
house servants and sister Kate and
1 will do tho cooking, washing and
baking; here, take this easy chair,
you look tired, or rather worried.
L know the Church Aid Society
meets here next Thursday, 1 am
sure you are fully capable of enter
tanning them. [ am almost vainly
proud of you in that regard, you
are SO at ease in company; and the
refreshments will be in order"
The ladies arrived at the appointed
time. Their parliamentary rules
gone over; the president, while sip
ping her elegant tea and partaking
of the Angel Cake, remarked to the
hostess: Il almost envy you your
servants; it seems as if you are par
ticulnrly fortunate in keeping good
servants" Mrs. Holland, with a
smile replied: "Yes, my present
servants are great comfort to me-"
No unusual changes took place
in Mr.. Hollands quiet home, while
a few years made great changes in
tho Bragg cottage to a modern
mansion, with very modern young
people. Lena and Yena Bragg had
graduated with some honors from
an eastern school. They had de-
veloped into the modern type of
society ladies. Christmas eve the
Whist Club was to meet at the
Bragg mansion. A retinue of ser
wants were brought into requisi-
on, upholstered furniture was
placed in the spacious parlors,
while of silkon folds the young
ladies' evening costumes trailed
upon the rich Brussel carpets.
Everything told of wealth and lux
ury, from the elegant plush rug at
their feet to the arch ceiling over
head. Lena said to her sistor Vera:
81 do hope mamma will not come
to the parlors tonight, she is SO ill
at ease in company" Just then
their over-taxed mother called to.
the daughters: "Do you want the
tables sot before the folks comes?"
The girls laughed, and Lena said:
"Lapsus Lingue." Tho mother
feeling hurt, said: "Whut do you
mean, pray?" The ungratoful
daughter replied: "Mothor it is be-
yond your comprehension" The
poor mother took down the old
dictionary, her slim fingers tracing
the lines to find Lnpsus Lingue,
and said to herself: "Them girls
are spilled and they may come to
work yet; they think they can do
nothing but play the piany, and
their pa upholds them in it,"
Time rolled on, and Mr.. Bragg's
wealth increased. The very roost-
ers, as they stretched their necks
toward the Holland cottage to CROW
seemed to say, we are richer than
) ou, 90, 90.
The Misses Bragg were deeply in
love with young business man of
the place. When he called they
would sing and play 81 Love Only
Thee" to his disgust. This young
man was not only business man,
but moral, religious man. He
was president of one of the Christ
ian Associations, which met for the
first time at the Holland cottage.
There he met the Misses Holland