The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-12-25
MORNING, DECEMBER 25, 1868.
lar rooms. Let US initiate the example
OF the plying neighbor, and leave him

lar rooms. Let US initiate the example
OF the plying neighbor, and leave him
with his grief.
Twenty-four hours after, looking almost
rs II htwenty-four years had LEFT their ira
ces on hls kindly features, he called to
Mr.. Gage, the neighbor who brought him
the paper on the proceeding evening, ask
Ing II he could give him an hour. Mr..
Gage entered his house, expecting to DO
asked for all his knowledge with respect
70 the disappearance Of Mrs. Barnes, and
felt vague sense Of rellf. mingled with
surprise, when Mr.. Barnes, with gravi-
ty deep and settled, but composed, enter
Cd ut once upon quite different matters !;
and throughout their whole conference
there was no allusion made to the erring
wife.
u am about to leave the city, Mr.. Gage,
for period which may extend over sever
al years, and wish to leave this property
IN such shape that 1t may be cared for
properly, and ultimately returned TO me,
or to my boy. do not wish to sell, be-
cause my faith In the future Of Chicago Is
strong; and II anything should happen to
mo, / want Harry to profit by the growth
Of this place.. 10 this end, l have drawn
up lease, rs ut merely nominal rent, OF
tho whole property (Which, you are aware
includes three lots, to run absolutely ten
years, and termlnable after that period by
giving six months notice to the lessee to
complete 1t. II you will examine It, you
will find It in due form. VIII you accept
the trust (fOr so regard It, aud suffer
ME to Insert your namc as lesser
Il will, Mr.. Barnes. do not desire to
examine it. rs the other offered him the
paper, insert my name ut once, II 1t be
your wish
THANK you. There arc no instructions
that l wish to give, except that, as the
rent falls due, You will forward 1t, subject
to my order, to the Bank of the State Of
Missouri, at st. Louis; but under no cir.
cumstances either seek yourself, or SO far
as you may be able to prevent, suffer any
one else to seek to discover my where
abouts. In good time will make 1t known
to you. Have your promise I"
You have.'
Let us, then, execute this paper ut
once. i had forgotten to say, that l
would be glad II you would dispose OF
all my household goods, by auction or
otherwise, rs you may elect, rcmittlng the
proceeds rs before. My business affairs
have already placed In process OF ad-
justment. ! shall start tomorrow morn.
Ing
And your son?'
'Goes with me-
The Chicago of 1913 had given place to
tho Chicago OF 1867. Nineteen years had
wrought changes as radical and marvel
lous Us those Of the kaleidoscope. Instead
of u provincial town, there was consld-
erablc city, and u city more full of energy
ana vitality, rs well rs of 'brag' than any
city In tho world. Planklng had given
way to the pervasive 'NicholsOn;' long
rows of wooden 'shanties' had yielded up
their standlng-rOom to costly stone and
iron; bridge after bridge has spanned the
sluggish river; tho stream Itself from a
mere muddy prarie creek had become q
reeklng sewer, to get rid Of whose fetl!l
breath was the subject of anxious consid-
Grafton to more than DOC, 900 people.
The shadows of September evening
were slowly closing In, yet the roar OF the
busy city did not seem to lull. At inter-
walls the horse cars went rumbling by.
packed full and runnin: over with tired
men seeking their comfortable homes. fur
ont In what had been commons and corn
of hurrying pedestrians which flowed
mouS tho oioou oiuOW"n oe0hiSo w nav"
no ebb.
Near one of tho busiest points OF the
city, q little fancy store In modest
wooden house, nestled shyly between two
pretentious marble fronts. 1t bore on Its
face the traces OF q former era, and 1t
was evident that Its successor would be OF
signally different style. Inside young
girl was daintily putting In order some
laces tumbled by a just departed visitor,
and slowly and tenderly manipulating the
soft mcslies with all the feminine fOndness
for the delicate web. Drawing piece 0i
the snowy fabric about her white neck,
she turned to q little mirror behind the
narrow counter, and stood dreamily con-
templating the effect. She was startled
by a quick tread, and rough but manly
and pleasant voice
Pardon me, miss, but can you tell me
II these streets bear the same name they
did twenty years ago?'
I'm sure don't know, SIR she replied
with little pout and blush, as she buslly
folded up the lace, with half-glance ut
the amused face Of her questlOner. Aunt
Mary can tell you all about 1t though; and
II you'll wait moment, I'll call her.
She fitted away through door In the
rear of the shop, but returned almost I'm
medately, followed by much older lady
clothed In sober black, with grave but
pleasant face, OIL which were drawn the
nnmistakable lines of sorrow and tears.
but whose expression plainly showed that
these had not narrowed the neart nor EN-.
blttered the spirit. .
Tho young man repeated his question.
'Yes. sir; the names are the same, but
their features have changed In that time.
But surely you are too young to have
known them so long ago.
Aunt Mary slowly drew nearer the
young stranger, her eyes fixed almost
wistGilly on the fresh, ruddy face, while
the color which yet fingered In her round
cd cheek came and went fltfully, and an
unwOnted light moistened and trembled
In the habltually penslye eye.
Yes he replied, :. know them, but my
recollection of them Is very dull anu faint.
I am asking for my father, who was very
familiar with them then, and Is now look
ing about just outside there to see II he
can Identity some property he once owned
In this vicinity
'Pleasc ask him to step inside. Perhaps
! can give him some Information. 1 have
been familiar with this part oi the city Tor
many years.
A palencss crept over the kindly face as
she watched the young mans elastic,
swinging tread, MS he passed out to the
street. 'IIow like Ills walk" came through
her lips, more like the ghost of forgot
ten whisper than articulate sounds. a
book, which she had been reading, ana
was still holding. was laid noiselessly
down. and. with hands clasped closely
against her bosom, she stood flxedly
watching the door.
Presently father and son entered to-
gether. Californian suns aud Coloradali
winds had Drowned the once thin and col.
orlcss check; the dark locks had changed
to iron-gray, and the wild, free life OF the
remote west, the healthful toll and expos
ure Of the mine and camp, tho CHEEKY
companionshlp Of forest and river and
mountain, while keeping the spirit fresh
aud free from moody repining, and, even
at that period of life, broadened and
strengthened the frame. But all these
kchangcs could not conceal the individuals