The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-07-08
SfliseeIlaneo1s,
A STORY FOR A RAINY DAY.
GLovERsoy, THE NoRnoN-A ROMANCE BY Ar.
TEMuS WARD.

ChAfTLh i.-ihE NOhMON ptrAhAOhh.
The morning or. which Reginald Gloverson
was to leave Great Salt Lake City with mule
train. dawned beautifully.
Reginald Gloverson was young and thrifty
Mormon, with an interesting family of twenty
young and handsome wives. His unions had
never been blessed with children. As often as
once year he used to go to Omaha, in Nebras-
ka, with mule-train. for goods but although
he had performed the rather perilous journey
many times, with entire safety, his heart was
strangely sad on this particular morning, and
filed with gloomy forebodings.
The time for his departure had arrived. The
high-spirited mules were at the door, impatient
ly champing their bits. The Mormon stood
sadly among his weeping wives.
dearest ones" he said, "I am singularly
sad at heart, this morning, but do not let this
depress you. The journey isaperilous one,
but-pshaw Ihave always come back safely
heretofore, and why should feari Besides,
know that every night, as lay down on the
broad starlight prairie, your bright faces will
come to me in my dreams, and make my slum-
bers sweet aud gentle. You. Emily, with your
mild, blue eyes. and you. Henrietta. with your
splendid black hair, and you. Nelly. with your
hair so brightly beautifully golden and you,
Molly, with your cheeks so downy and you,
Betsey, with your wine red lips-far more de-
licious. though. than any wine ever tasted
and you, Maria, with your winsome voice and
you, Susan. with your-with your-that is to
say, Susan, with your-and the other thirteen
Of you, each so good and beautiful, will come
sour own. they lovingly chimed, Eve will!'
"And so, farcwell.' cried Reginald. "Coue
to my arms, my owu." he said, "that Is, as
many Of you rs can do it conveniently, at once,
for must away"
He folded several Of them to his throbbing
breast, aud drove sadly away.
the OF hind mule became unhitched Dismount-
ing. he essaycd to adjust the trace but ere he
had fairly comrnerced the task, the mule.
singularly refractory animal, snorted wildly.
and kicked Reginald frlshtfully in the stomach.
He arose with difficulty. and tottering fesbly
towards his mothers house, which was near
by, fell dead in her yard, with the remark,
"Desr mother. I've come home to die
'.I see," she said. "where's the mules,'
Alas! Reginald Gloverson could give no an
swer. In vain the hesrt-stricken mother threw
herself upon his inanimate form, crying, "Oh!
my SONNY son only say where the mules Is,
and then you may die IL you want to! !" In
vain-in vain
Reginald had passed on.
CHAPTER u-ruSERAL rRAPPiNds.
The mules were never found.
Resinald's heart-broken mother took the
body home to her unfortunate sons widows,
but before her arrival she discreetly sent boy
to bust the news gently to the afflicted wives,
which he did by informing them. In q hoarse
whisper. that their "old man had gone in"
The wives felt very badly indeed.
"He was devoted to me-" sobbed Emily.
"And to me-" said Maria.
eyes" said Emily. she thought oonsidera-
bly, of you, but not so muohNs HI. did Of me-"
"I say he did !"
"I say he didn't 20
"He did 80
"Tle didn't"
"Don't look at.ms. with your sauint eyes %
"Don't shake your red head at me 20
"Sisters 20 said the black -haired Henrietta,
..cease this unscemly wrangling. I, As Regi-
maids first wife, shall strew flowers on his
grave" 81 ..r.s ira
"No, you won't." said Susan 81, as his
las, wife, shall strsw flowers on his grave" 1t
Is my business to strcw !"
"You shan't, so there" said Henrietta.
"You bet will 2" said Susan, with tear
suifusei cheek.
"well. as for me-" said the practical Bet'ey'
'I amt on the strew. much, but | shall ride at
the head Of the funeral procession J"
"Not II I've ever been introduced TO myself.
you won't," said the golden-hairsd Nelly.
"that's my: position. You bet your bonnet
strings II is."
"Children," said Reginald's mother, "you
must do some crying. you know. on the day
Of the funeral. and how many pocket hand
lkerchiefs win Il take to 60 roundf Bstsey.