The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-08-10

these lew words you must grant me
leave to say, that, on the Sunday o
my first communion, I asked Kate
calmly, collectedly, in all sincerity ol
heart, but without shadow of re
morse, without falling On my knees,
without ever placing my hand on my
waist coat-to become my wife, and
heard, with unspeakable delight, but
with a look from those mild eyes
soft, yet full OF intelligence, which lef
no doubt of the sincerity with which
this monesyllable was uttered.
I Kate had scarcely ever been from
her beautiful native village. and I
set mgsheart on giving her a week
wedding tour. H.
l applied to the superintendent fol
leave of absence, and was gruff1y
answered, "Now @
Old Adam not being quite dead
within me, for it is astonishing how
hard it is to Kill the ancient gentle.
man, 1 gave Father saucy retort to a
/ saucy refusal.
One angry word followed another,
till at last was told that my services
would not be required after the first
Of the following month.
I came home that evening crest
fallen, depressed, almost despairing
told Kate my troubles. "
She chided me! Oh how gently,
how tenderly, afectionately did she
chide me, and that, not for the loss of
my situation, but on account of my pet
uIence, so inconsistent with the duty
of Christian rG-au s.'s r..fsgl
"We are not so badly off, afser all, !"
said she. "You have three hundred
dollars in the bank-I have nearly
two hundred. Well, if my Reginald
will lend me his treasure, will take
that little store Mrs Robinson wants
to let, open milliner's store, and you
may look, in the meantime, for some
thing to do"
And she smoethed my ruffled brow
with kiss.
1t was agreed. And 1 thought
then, as think now, how wretched,
torlorn is the condition of him who
hath no loving woman for counsel
lor in the dark hour of trial.
to my duty. The superintendent
spoke to me as if nothing had happen.
ed l never thought he felt sorry for
words spoken in anger. / certainly
had no i'll feeling toward him, yet L
considered that to respect our dignity
as men was perfectly recoucilable with
our duty as Christians. l therefore
spoke to him respectfully but without
cringing.
The thirtieth day of the month, my
last day OH the road, came. We
reached our depot at the usual hour.
1t was dark, and after the passengers
had landed took up a lantern to look
for q memorandum book l had left in
one of the cars.
On going through the first car, l
struck something soft with my foot,
I looked down, and lifted up large
wallet. 1 opened tit was full of
bank notes God forgive me! 1
looked furtively around to see if any
| body saw me. -.
Hastily as I counted the con tents,
L was sure there could be no less than
81, ,000-but nothing to denote the
owner.
1 do not think I have been wicked
man, yet do believe that had l found
this money ere L became a Christian
| all the principles of the morality,
chivalry, and that brilliant double,
honor, would not have forced it out
of my grasp; for it is astonishing how
full oil sophistry are the mere moral
doctrlnes-withw what case men OF hon.
or, who will shoot you from a respect
able, gentlemanly distance of twelve
PAGES, are apt to forget their tallor's or
washerwoman's bill.
Now, with the exception of the
moments wicked thought alluded to,
| | did not hesitate / rushed into the
nearest hotel. where L expected
strangers from our train most likely to
stop g rl...
"Any of you gentlemen lost any
thing" said i, az l entered the bar
room. i', .u .i...f;H .,i
Twenty hands were in an Instant
thrust into as many pockets; but of
those only one was found empty. This
pocket belonged to muscular, athletic,
| bearded man, with massive forehead
and fiery eye.
He looked at me for moment with
an air of astonishment, smile playing
on his beautifully chisled mouth.
"Why, young man." said he, 81
have lost trihe of between four and
five thousand dollars. What then ?"
| I handed him the wallet. - a-es
He gazed at me stcadfastly, rubbed
his ewes, and murmured, as if to HIM
self: .5- .
"Yes, it must be he"
There was a short silence, which to
me became embarrassing, and, fearing
to stav longer least T should be suspect
ed of waiting for reward, l bowed
and left the room.
The stranger followed me.
Il have seen you BEFORE" said he.
"Where did we meet? DO you not
remember having ever seen me :"
'sNot to my recollection vas my
reply. .'.
"What is your name ??
"Augnstus Reginald.
1 dropped entirely my family sur
name vita the full consent of my
wife.
"Reginald what :" inquired my in
terlocutor, with visible agitation.
"You have another name. For Gods
sake, do not trife with my feelings 7"
He grasped my hand-tears started
to his eyes He made gesture as if
about to speak. Then, perceiving
that a group had gathered around US,