Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-05-24
In SHELTON COAL NINE.

sswhy, Katie dear, whatever put the
notion into your head that should do
that? When did ever disappoint my
darling2"
"Never; but then once must be the
first time, you know" and Katie Erie
nestled her soft cheek close to mine,
and drew little sigh.
[ took her into my arms-and, in
deed, I had been holding her to my
side for some time, for we were trying
TO say good night, and in those days it
always took a long time to bring it
about.
We were acknowledged lovers nearly
year, and managed to make ourselves
about as silly as the average lovers.
Dear little Katiel Thus plainly I can
seem to see her even now, looking back
over the years which have fed since
then
The beautiful rosy face, the red part
ed lips, the blue eyes lifted to mine
from out the tangles, and curls, and
cinkles of fossy brown hair, which she
had tumbled all over her face as it lay
against my BOSOM
| kissed her rapturously, and she
lifted up her head and pushed back
the soft hair
You'll be very sure to come Wed
nesday night by six2" said the same
small autocrat, resuming q tone of COM
mand; eve are going to have chicken
tr1casseed and cranberry sauce. And if
1T stanes minute over after it is ready
tits spoilt. Now, William, you'll be
punctual 2"
She always called me William when
she wished to be particularly impress
sIve.
Why, of course I will be punctual,
dear I am surprised at you for doubt
ing ne. What makes you, Katie 2"
"You will laugh at me, Willie, if [
tell you, and don't like you when you
laugh at me. 1t makes me feel about
as large as butterfy's eye. [ had a
dream last night"
"Have you been reading Shaks-
peare2r
"You were not to laugh at me.
That is, you must not If you wish me
to tell you. / thought that / asked
you to come to me Wednesday night,
and that you promised just as fairly as
ever you could, but you did not come,
and you never came any more. And l
dreamed that was gray haired old
woman, and still [ sat all day by the
window watching for yor-expecting
you always"
Katie's voice was very solemn, and
there was vague look of pain on her
face which fastened to kiss away.
Nonsense, child,n said / ''didn' t
you know that dreams always go by
contraries2 OF course ] shall come,
and stay so long that I shall make you
glad twice, little dreamer.
"No, indeed If you only would,
though, / think | should rather like
it. y
t'My precious little Katie But
must go, or I shall never be up by
bell-time in the morning. Good
night, dearest. :"
And after long while [ managed te
tear myself away from her.
was very happy as trudged home
that night beneath the gray Novembel
sky.
remember that I whistled and sang
snatches of songs in low voice, anC
thought of Katie all the way.
We were to be married at Christmas
for / had been elevated to the position
of chief engineer to the Bridgepor
Glen Coal Works, and my salary wa
fifteen hundred dollars year.
We could well afford to marry, though
for that matter we should have married
| suppose, if I had had but five hun
dred
For we loved and trusted each othe
perfectly, and when there is low
enough a dollar can be made to go
great way.
/ could not help feeling just the leas
bit in the world tried with Kate TO
thinking would disappoint her. New
er in the whole course of our &C
quaintance had I done So would a
soon have committed murder as glvel
her cause to feel sad moment.
A woman's happiness is made up o
little things, and there is no pang fo
her than to feel that the man to whom
she has given the noblest and pures
affection of her heart is neglectful c
her wishes.
Girls, take the advice of an old fog,
and keep clear OF the young man VIII
makes appointments and fails to kee
them.
Wednesday night came, dark, an
with strong prophesies of storm.
went home early, and dressed to {
over to Mr.. Erle's.
s'Where are you going this dal
night, William?n aeked my moth
when I came down stairs.
q have an engagement, said
evasively for was still boy enough
feel bashful over my love-fairs wit
Katie
g Unless it is very important e
gagement [ would not 60" said sht
cit is extremely dark, and harl
there is sleet beating against the wi
sows."
Yes, she was right. 1t was stormil
furiously already, and the wind roar
like demon down the narrow villa
street as | stepped out upon the sid
walk.
went back for an overcoat, and m
my mother in the hall.
She was anxious aboutme. / smil
at her fears, kissed her gayly, aud to
her not to sit up for me. [ saw h
standing at the door, the last thing al
turned the angle of the street, a
struck into the road which led past \
Erle's farm
The darkness was intense. / do 1
think [ ever saw it darker.
1t was, as [ think / remarked befo
in November, and [ always fancied IL
November nights are darker than tho
of any other month.
There was a short cut across t
fields and pastures to Mr. Erle's viii
would take me there much easier, /
it was a rough path, and led direc
across the tract of land formerly kno
as the Shelton Coal Mine
Some years previous the supply
coal had been exhausted, new VOL
were opened, and the old mine v
left to darkness and silence.
Strange stories OF this mine w
told by the superstitious people in
vicinity.
Fantastic figures were seen dane
around the weed-over- grown shafts,
lights ghostly blue and properly err