Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1900-06-28
AFFECTIONS
Divided pl]yii
AND
Joined:

cOME years ago there lived in New
OHayen. Conn, an old couple named
Langley whose family consisted of two
daughters, both uncommonly pretty girls
yet very unlike each other in disposi-
tion and appearance. The dark lustrous
eyes Of Margaret told Of feelings tender,
deep and strong; while the bright, CO.
quettish blue eye of Jane said,as plainly
as eye could say: 81 like you very we'll
but l like myself better Mr.. Langley,
the father Of the beauties, was in respec.
table circumstances; he had begun life
poor man and had advanced his busi-
ness until his profits enabled him tc take
store wherein to display his muslins,
and wife to adorn the back of his
counter and make his house comfortable
when the tolls of the day were over.
The house OF the Langleys was now
rendered desolate by the marriages OF
these two girls, the one event following
the other at an interval of few weeks.
Jane had married MIR. Foster, an opu-
lent and enterprising young man,
whose manner indicated that he was
proudly conscious of holding high 80.
cial position. Margaret depended for
future happiness on William Lindsay, a
not over, gifted but plodding young
fellow, who had commenced business as
a -four merchant and was now able to
supply his family with the usual COM
forts of an unpretentious home.
Years elapsed, and old Mr.. Langley,
tired of doing nothing, had speculated
in steamboats, and other things and lost
considerable sums OF money; his wife
died and he dropped daily until he sank
into the grave, leaving only four or five
thousand dollars, instead of forty or fifty
thousand.
Mr.. Foster grumbled excessively at
the meagerpess of his inheritance, and
limited to his wife that his marriage was
complete take in, while William Lind.
say drew his weeping Margaret closer to
his bosom, saying:
What care for this worlds wealth
when | have such "a treasure in you|
During the last few years OF Mr.
Langlcy's life, the old gentleman had
quietly placed a small weekly sum OF
money at Margaret's command, feeling
that this amount would, in a measure
make up for the difference in household
expenditures which the unequal finan-
cial conditions of his daughters warran'
ted each in making. But now this little
weekly stipend had ceased to come
to hand. and the communication
between the sisters had gradually be-
come less and less frequent. The style
in which they lived was very dlteren
and both William and Margaret
felt the inferiority Of the entertainments
theygave in return for Foster s splendid
dinners, more than they liked to allow
to themselves. At first they tried tt
cope with them but their rooms were
small and their servants awkward
They found it would not do; and they
retired from thu absurd contest witt
more bitterness of feeling, am sorry tt
say, than one would have expected frou
hearts so warm and affectionate.
The two sisters had several children
but my story chiefly concerns the eldest
boy of each. Robert Foster was sent t
school when Blk years old. Spoiled ant
petted by his father at home. he was ar
unruly lad at school, and being bold
strong built little fellow, he lorded il
over all his companions. None could
match him with the exception of Willie
Lindsay, who, though not SO strong, was
more active and agile, and had thor
ough command Of temper, of which
Robert Foster Was altogether deficient
l fear it was in consequence Of incau-
tious language overheard at home, that
these cousins, from the very first t,seemeC
to regard each other as natural enemies
No boy could be the friend of both
The fault, however, lay chiefly will
Foster, who would associate with no one
that was on amicable terms with Lind
say, while the latter took it as a matter
Of course that Fosters friends should be
his enemies, but without feeling any
particular i'll will to them on that &C
count. At the age Of eight, the twt
boys went to the grammar school
Foster was accompanied by lad OF the
name of Crawford who had been sen
from the West Indies to Mr.. Foster
care; and the elder Crawford being ;
man of wealth and influence, Mr.. .Foste
kept the young gentleman under hi
own roof and paid him every attention
The lad was delicate and peevish;yount
Foster and he agreed but indiferently