Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-06-01

not dispute the evidence, and paid the money
/ CHAPTER II.
In that wilderness which lies west of Bromp
ton, at the time we speak Of there existed a
LiIlputian cottage wherein dweit George
Richardson, lately managing and confidential
clerk, junior partner in a merchant
house in the city. One evening in November,
l85-, home came George by the buss, and
startled his little wife by announcing that he
must start on a secret mission TO LeghOrn the
next day; events of importance connected
with the business had occurred there requiring
the presence of one of the partners, and the
lot had fallen upon him as the junior in re
spect of age, as well as of position in the
firm. steamer was to leave the river the
next evening.
"1herefore,' said George, "get my things
ready, and l will take them with me to the
Office tomorrow morning, for shall not have
time to return home"
'Shall not see you again after you leave
home tomorrow morning ?" asked Bessie
Richardson, anxiously.
No, darling you must wish me good
bye then"
Besse's face put on disappointed look.
"Why, you silly girl, the parting must
come sooner or later, and why not in the
morning as well as the evening ?" said he
smoothing her hair carelessly.
Bessie did not see the force Of thisreasoning.
To woman. goodbye is 10 goodbye at all,
Unless it occurs at the very last moment.
However, it could not be helped, it seemed;
: +Ga 1I.4l laJ Oh
his Things to rights, and stood in the little din
ing room with the tears yelling up into her
eyes. The-next morning, when the cab drove
mp to the door, there was thick fog and
Bessie felt alarmed. as women do at parting
with 4 vague. uudcfned dread Of some caam-
ity
How soon shall hear from you, George"
I'm month, hope; but it may be SIX
weeks, or even more, 50 don't be uneasy. /
Will write You may be sure. the first oppor-
tunity aud I may be back myself before my
letter"
i wish you were not going in this fog"
Foolish girl = kissing her. "The steamer
won't IS; rt in fog; don't alarm yourself
about that. Besides, its only the morning
frost : WHEN the sun gets up it will be bright
and clear
She bore the paling better than could
have been expected for, truth to tell she did
not mean that TO be final one. In her Sc
crct little heart shch determined to make az
expedition to the city, and have the real good
by al the proper time, she was looking forward
iovfplly to the surprise and pleasure it would
be 70 George. So she put up cheerful face
to his. and returned his last nod from the cab
with smile.
But when, as the day advanced. the fog. in
instead OF clearing. Increased in intensity, and
she perceived that her journey to the city was
impracticable then the reality of the parting
came full upon her. It was there first separl-
tion, and the suddenness OF the thing, and the
distance, and the uncertainty Of the post, and
finally, the breaking up of h?r little plan for
final and oyerw he.nling gooc-by, overcame
her. and she retired to her room: and was no
mere seen for several hours.
BY afternoon the fog was SO thick in the
city ard on the river that Richardson felt Ger
tain the steamer would not start. "Howev-
cr,' thought be, Il Will have my trunk taken
down, see the captain, and sleep on l.uursl il
necessary, 10 be ready directly he is able to
get under weigh"
George had literally 70 feel his way through
the narrow lanes TO the river by-ant-by he
found the way to the wharf gates, but all be-
yond was blank. save where soule red spots
of light, looking strangely high and distant,
told him Of lamps enveIopcd in tie misty
cloud Confident. however, in his knowledge
of the place, bat in realty deceived in all it's
bearings, on he went, till, in a moment, his
ieot trod only on the open air, and he fell head
long--a splash--and the black river closed
over him--one struggle to The surface-a des-
perate attempt to strike out in his thick great
coat and his water-logged boots, and George
Richardson was swept away by the remorseless
tide only to be yielded up corpse.
A moth passed away. Bessie was daily ex-
pecting the promised letter but the postman
passed the door, or only knocked to bring any
but the looked-for envclop. George would
j surely be at home himself and alay her anxi-
! ETY. by his presence in day or two. Did he
not say he might return before letter could
reach her?
/ Six weeks, aud no letter. Bessie became
really anxious away she went to the senior
partner he was somewhat uneasy himself
but SO far from adding TO her anxiety, be as
sured her there was yet no cause Of alarm
They had expected to hear before from Rich
ardson, certainly, but it was quite possible his
voyage might have been longer than they cal
cuated His letter might be miscarried, or he
might be at home himself any day in short
the good old man almost treasured the poor
little wife, and she went home more tranquil
in her mind than she had beeu for many a
! day.
Two months had now elapsed and it could
no longer be concealed that there was grave
cause for apprehension but forasmuch as poor
Bessie on every trifing occasion-towit, when
George Travelled by raiway--pctured to her
mind the most awful accident, or if he was
halfan-hour late foF dinner, felt calm certain
ty that something had happened, so did she
now resolve that nothing could be wrong, IL
proportion as real reasons fer alarm increased
inasmuch that as they became almost certain
ties to the refectiEg masculine mind, so die
they diminish to this uureasonlng little woman
In fact, she dared not admit the idea into hel
, mind she resoutely excluded it, steadiastl.
clinging to the lightest bubble OF hope il
, her sea of doubt, and resolved that darling
: George would be restored to her arms in gooC
: time. 1t could not be in Nature Or i'll Provi
f dence that one she loved SO well should neve
| look upon her face again. So her heart rea
r soned.
At length, however, arrived the steamer it
0 SELF without Richardson. 1t was then ascer
tanned that no one answering his description
: had sailed in her. His trunk purposoly lei
undirected in order to maintain the secresy Q
t his journey, was found on board. The senio
o members Of the firm were now fully cenvlnce
t that some fatal accident had happened to hin
y They sent for Bessies brother, and begged hir
e to break the matter to his sister, promising o
their part to leave no stone unturned to clea
: up the mystery that hung upon her husband
: disappearance