The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-12-01

y rich. Thus you see we were not left in a
destitute situation, so far as money and prop
erty were concerned; but of what avail is
gold when the heart is wrung by the extremi-
ty of agony. My brother not wishing to
continue fathers business, sold the entire
stock as soon as an opportunity occurred,
and safely depositing the proceeds in bank,
for the use Of mother and myself, and arrang-
ing other matters for our comfort, started to
visit one of my fathers brothers in the far
west, Gas the now fourishing State of Iowa
was then called). My mother and myself
were very 10th to part with him, in that try
ing hour; hut at length consented, believing
it might allay his grief to some extent, and
thinking he would soon return to us again.
But alas! we were sadly disappointed; we
received letters from him regularly for some
time. At length he declared his wish to visit
California, asking mother in an affectionate
and dutiful manner to give her consent, and
likewise to advance him small sum Of mo-
ney, which she did, still thinking that he
surely would return home after travelling a
short time. He arrived safely in the gold
regions of California, from whence he wrote us
some very affectionate and fattering letters,
and at last accounts was keeping provision
store in San Francisco, about three years
since. After that time we have looked in
vain for any intelligence from him. But still
hope (added she, wiping the tears from her
eyes,) that he is yet in the land amongst the
living, and that may yet see his face on
earth, for since my mothers death, have
felt as one almost alone, except when in Elias
company, whom have learned to look upon
as next to sister,"
"And SO you shall look upon her as a SIS
ter, if you will. Say, do you accept her as
one9" broke in Charles rather abruptly.
~ cannot Decline" said she. 81 accent
your offer"
Her story was ended (for that time at least)
and she folded in the manly arms of Charles
Summers, loving kiss imprinted on her fair
cheek, and she listened with joy and pride
to his exclamation, "my own Adela p a
"Ma! Map said little Letta Gordon, "a
few days after the above conversaton) .'is
Cousin Adela going to get married9"
"Why do you ask that question ?" said
Mrs. Gordon, looking at the Doctor and sml-
ing as he came in, just in time to hear his
little daughters inquiry. "You go and tell
Bridget to come here, and never mind Cous-
in Adela."
81 just believe she is" muttered Letta as
she slowly went out to do her mothers bid
ding, in no pleasant mood, as her curiosity
was not entirely satisfied.
And Letta was right, for in a few evenings
in the Doctors stately mansion, and before
many witnesses, the Parson pronounced Ad-
ella the wife of Charles Summers.
About this time might have been seen a
stranger vending his way toward the Doc
tors mansion. He is a tall young man, per-
sonable in appearance, and dressed in for
eign and peculiar costume. He approaches
the door; he rings the bell; is admitted with
in; his face is flushed, perhaps with excite
ment; his keen black eyes dart eagerly around
the apartment; at length they rest for mo-
ment on the fair form of Adela; he springs
forward, with the exclamation, Adela!
She meets him exclaiming: "Oh! Frank |!
my long lost brotherr'
A more affecting and yet lovely scene was
never witnessed. They long embraced each
other in the most affectionate manner. There
Was not an eye in that vast assembly not
suffused with tears.
After the excitement was somewhat abated,
Frank was politely introduced to Charles and
Ella, and they all rejoiced together, at the
the happy meeting of the long separated
brother and sister. But when Frank was
introduced to Ella, little Letta again broke in
by saying:
"Ma! Ma! is Ella going to get married,
too?" causing roar Of laughter.
Frank and Ella blushed crimson. Letta
of course thought she was, and Letta was
right too, for in one year from that time,
Ella became Mrs. Weston.