The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1868-05-01

SR'SSof obos. ~
leaving hope, happiness, and sun
shine behind him forever. Oh, why
had Providence made the path Of dut,
$50 narrow, and so beset by prick,
thorns ? Why musthe fight such
perpetual battle with himself? Woult
it not be better to die at once?
AS the vague, repining aspiration
after the peace and oblivion OF deatl
came across his mind, there was ,
crash-a jar--a noise like the rend
ing of beams and splintering o.
arches--and Gervaise Cotton was
thrown violently against the side o.
the car, with concussion that for {
few moments. deprived him of sense
/ or conciousness. Then lie struggled
up, sick and faint, into sitting po
sition, and became aware that he was
surrounded by dead and dying.
The train had run off the track, and
the three foremost cars we're precipi
tated into a sort Of gorge or declivity
some seven or eight feet deep, just
beyond Gervaise Cotton had wished
for death-here it was, face to face
with him. No wonder that he shrank
appalled, from the CHASTITY sight.
Steadying himself by the broken
seat. he rosa,to his feet, convincing
hlmself that he WAS not seriously hurt,
| beyond a brnise or two, and began to
assist his less fortunate fellow trav-
elers. -i
Almost directly behind him had sci
a man in a slouched hat and muffied
face he lay now beneath a mass Oi
splintered woodwork and shivered
glass.
'It's no use,' he groaned feebly, as
Gervaise dragged away the super in
cumbent weight, and strove to lift
him up I'm dying fast; there's an
ugly cash on the back of my head
that all the surgeons in creation
couldn't close up again. Let me die
in peace.
why, it is Jotham Peck
exclaimed Gervaise, recognizing the
lawyers voice, husky and faint
though it was.
Yes, Gervaise Cotton, it is l. tal-
tered the dying man. 60 back to
Elsie Miller, and tel her she in pen
niless once more. / have risked her
fortune in railroad shares, and lost
it; but if had succeeded-and they
looked promising-I should have
doubled it for her. / was on my
way to Europe. dared not look
her in the face and tell her what / am
telling you But it is all over now.
God will judge me more charitably
than man would have done; and |
meant well-indeed, indeed, l meant
well. For
There was a choking sort of gurg
ling in his throat--a rush of crimson
blood over his lips-and the next
movement Gervaise Cotton was hold
ing a dead mans head upon his
knee.
Lost! My fortune all lost Stop
q moment, Gervaise, and let me col
lect my thoughts-my head is grow
ing dizzy, think
Elsie Miller had cared as little for
the money glitter of wealth as woman
could, and yet this shock came to
her sharp and sudden. No more lux
ury, no more indolent indulgences,
no more day dreams She must turn
once " ~oEe Kes to { II lbs 4aa hard. dassyshi
lonely and desolate she felt in the
contemplation of that new exist
ence.
oh. Geryaise, Gervaise, what
shall do?'
These words broke almost invol-
UNFAIRLY from her parched lips, there
was an imploring CLEAN in her blue
eyes.
4 will tell you, Elsie, he said.
gently taking both her cold iutter-
ing hands in his, Trust yourself to
your future into my care.
And may Heaven be my judge, if |
ever fail in the charge it has commit
ted to me-
Gsrvaise-I-I am q little bewil-
dered by this strange, sudden calam
ity, and L do not quite understand
you
Il love you, Elsie--I would fain
make you my wife. That should
surely be plain enough he said.
'BLt my money is all gone. / am
poor as the beggars on yonder pave
meRt.'
Il rejoice that it is gone, Elsie
Your wealth has been o barrier be
tween US long enough--now l may
dare to speak out what has been in
my heart for years. Thank God that
you are poor, Elsie
She looked at elm with new light
breaking in upon her mind and MEM
ory.
'Oh, Gervaise, how cruelty yOn
have misjudged me !
That's not the question, Elsie,' he
answered, tenderly. will you he
my wife Will you give me the
right to care for you and protect you
always?'
She laid her hot cheek upon his
shoulder.
Il have loved you, Gervaise, as
long and as faithfully as you have
loved me-
The barrier was broken down at
last, and heart met heart.
Il am poor to nighs, said Elsie,
half jestingly, as she sat in the twi-
light with her hand close-imprisoned
in Gervaise's tender clasp, 'but |
think ] am richer than have ever
been before
She was an heiress no longer-she
was only plain little Elsie Miller !;
yet how unspeakably precious in
Gervalse Colton's eyes!
And Jotham Peck might have rest
ed easier in his dishonored grave,
knowing that he was forgiven.
Some of the citizens of Chicago
...,,,t l,o ,,ar.y onninuc or raDi1 Euunr