The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-04-15

ley, anu IOunu nlmSeI IN ulmly ugnVeu
room, whose furniture. though elegant
and costly for the locality, showed signs
of abuse. The inlaid comfortable was
overlaid with stained disks that were not
contemplated In the original design. The
embroidered arm-chairs were discolored,
and the green velvet lounge, on which
Mr.. Hamlin threw himself, was soiled at
the foot with the red soil of Wig,lam.
Mr.. Hamlin did not sing in his cage.
He lay still, looking ut q highly-colored
painting above him, representing young
creature of opulent charms. 1t occurred
TO him then for the first time that he had
never seen exactly that kind of q woman
and that If he should he probably would
not fall in love with hcr. Perhaps he
was thinking of another style Of beauty.
But Just then some one Knocked ut the
door. Without rising, he pulled a cord
that apparently shot back bolt; for the
door swung open, and a man entered.
The newcomer was broad-shouldcred
and robust-a vigor not borne out in the
face, which, though handsome, was sip-
gularly weak. and disfgurcd by dissipa-
ton. He appeared TO be also under tho
influence Of liquor, for he started, on Sec
ing Mr.. Hamlin, and said, Thought Kate
was here stammered, and seemed con-
fused and embarrassed.
Mr.. Hamlin smiled the smile which he
had before worn on tho Wingdam coach,
and sat up, quite refreshed, and ready for
business.
You didn't come up on the stage con-
tinucd the newcomer, did you"
No. replied Hamlin; Il left il ut Ssott's
Ferry. 1t isn't due for ha'f an hour yet.
But how's luck, Brown?'
Too bad said Brown. his face sudden
ly assuming an expression of weak de-
spair: I'm cleaned out again. Jack he
continued, in n whining tone. that formed
"a pitiable contrast To his bulky figure,
cant you help me with hundred till to,
morrow's cleanup? You see I've got to
send money home to the old woman, and
--you've won twenty times that amount
from me-
The conclusion was, perhaps, not en-
tircly logical, but Jack overlooked 1t, and
handed the sum to his visitor. The old
woman business Is about played out,
Brown he added, by way of commenta-
ry; why don't you say you want to buck
ag'in frop You know you amt mar
riedr
Fact, sir. Brown, with q sudden
gravity, rs If the mere contact of the gold
with the palm of the hand had impaired
some dignity to his frame. "rvc got n
wife, good one, too, IL do say il, in the
States. It's three years since have seen
her. and u year since have writ to her.
When things is about straight, and we get
down to the lead, I'm going to send for
her.
And Kate ''queried Mr.. Hamlin with
his previous smild. - ..-...u...,
Mr.. Brown OF Calaycras cssaycd an arch
ness OF glance. to cover his confusion,
which his weak face and whiskey-mud-
died intellect but poorly carried out, and
said:-
DIT, Jack. man must have lit
tie liberty, you know. But come, what
do you say tosa little game? Give us q
show 10 double this hundred
Jack Hamlin looked curiously mt his
fatuous fiend. Perhaps he knew that the
man was pre-destined to lose the money,
and preferred that il should flow back
into his own Golfers, rather than any 9TH
or. He nodded his head. and drew his
chair toward the table. At tho Same mo-
ment there came rap upon the door.
ITS Kate said Mr.. Brown.
Mr. Hamlin shot back the bolt. and the
door opened. But for the first time in his
life, he staggered to his feet, utterly un-
nerved and abashed. and for the first time
in his life. the hot blood. crimsOned his
colorlcss cheeks n. his forehead. For be-
forc him stood the lady he had
lifted from tho Wingdam boach, whom
Brown-dropping his cards with hystcr-
ical laugh-grected rs
My old woman. by thundern
They say that Mrs. Brown burst into
tears, and reproaches other husband. 1
saw her, In 1857, mt tMarysville. and disbe-
lievc the story. And the Wing,lam Chron-
icle, OF the next week, under the head of
Touching Reunion" said Zone of those
beautiful and touching incidents, peculiar
To California life occurred, last week, in
our city. The wife of one of Wingrlam's
eminent pioneers, tired of the cffets civil
. ization of the East, and its inhospitable
climate. resolved To Join her noble husband
upon these golden shores. Without In
forming him Of her intention, she under
took the long journey, and arrived last
week. The Joy OF the husband may be
be easier imagined than described. The
meeting is said to have been indescribably
affecting. We trust her example may be
followed
Whether owing to Mrs. Browns in
fluencc, or to some more successful spec
ulations, Mr.. Browns financial fortune,
from that day, steadily improved. IIo
bought out his partners in the ''Nip and
Tuck" lead, with money said tOhaye been
won mt poker, week or two after his
wife's arrival, but which rnmor, adopting
Mrs Browns theory that Brown had for
sworn the gaming table, alleged Ia have
been furnished by Mr.. Jack IIamlin. He
built and furnished the c'Wingdam House,
which pretty Mrs. Browns great popu-
larity kept overflowing with guests. Hc
was elected TO the Assembly, and gave
largely TO churches. A street in Wing
dam was named in his honor.
Yet, II was noted that in proportion ms
he waxed wealthy and fortunate. he grew
pale. thin, and anxious. As his .wife's
popularity increased. he became fretfil
and impatient. The most uxorious of
husbands-he was absur,ily Jealous. lf
he did not interfere with his wife's social
liberty. 1t was because-it was maliciously
whispcrcd-that his first and only attempt
was met by an outburst from Mrs. Brown
that terrified him into silence. Much Of
this kind OF gossip came from those of her
own sex whom she had shpplanted In the
chivalrous attentions Of Wingiam which
like most popular chivalry, was devoted
10 an admiration OF power, whether Of
masculine force or feminine beauty. It
should be remembered, too. in her extern
tiation. that since her arrival, she has been
the unconscious pricstess of a mythology
cal worship, perhaps not more ennobling
to her womanhood than that which dis
tinguished an older Greek democnacy. j
think hat Brown was -dimly conscious Of
this. But his only contidant was Jack
Hamlin. whose infelix reputation natural