The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-01-19
40. who was coming from San Fran

mine. who was coming from San Fran
cisco. e .A'+3.S 'tf+ Z"
II On Sunday evening, two days before
the day set for my marriage with Min-
ME, had occasion to 60 down to the
mill. After looking to the saws, to see
n they were properly wedged aud filed,
/ descended to the boiler room. We
had two large steam boilers set side by
side. AZ usual, ID both their ends were
the n,an-holss. These are semi. circular
openings through which. when neces-
sary the fireman cresps, to clean the In.
side Of the boiler. One Of these holes
was open, and some boys, children OF
the nremen, were playing with . short
iros bar near By. s,t "-ssf--@
lido not know what made me stop
ans: watch them pushing the bar through
the aperture, while they listene,l to the
sound o. the water as it, wavelete
moved past the bar, and dashed against
the inside of the boiler.
"Stop that play. boys" said I, land
tell James to close up the boiler" They
had seen me before, and when they
heard my voice they let the iron bar
fall and scampered away. The bar
dropped with loud splash into the
water.
"Never mind" thought I, "the fire.
man can get 1t out again when they
clean the boiler next Sunday" I was
about to leave the boiler room, when
James entered.
GOOD evening, SIR" said he in a
cheerful tone II guess the new engineer
will arrive omorrow night, and I am
glad oft. Please step into my room
and read this letter, which I've received
this afternoon. From 1t you will see
why I'm glad to get awaylfrom here"
He gave me letter. 1t was too dark
to read it outside, and l entered his
room.
Isat down and read the letter, which
was from James's mother, urging him
to come home instantly.
"You thought was mad at you
because made love to Minnie. But you
were mistaken, old boy, for look at this
letter, said he, handing me another. 1t
was apparently from young girl, al
though the handwriting looked rather
masculine. 1t WAS dated from the same
New England village in which James
mother was living, and it's contents
breathed intense love for him. It was
signed "Annie."
Eyes," replied he, in answer to my
questioning look, I'm marry Ahnie
Us soon ~ set foot in my native vii
lage.'
"Won't you wait until the bans are
/ ub!ished?' asked with a laugh.
Nut . minute. I'll so straight to
her house, ana take her to the parson
who for money and good words, will
soor tie the knot! Now" continued
he, after a pause, during which he took
bottle aud two tin cups from q shelf
above his head: "now let's drink to the
health Of our intended bri.ies," And he
filled the cups.
Hold on. James! First, let me know
what is in the cups?" said l.
"Your intended father in-law gave
me bottle of Angelica wine. He said
that it was the beet that he had in the
cellar" answered James,
like sweet wine, and I took the
cup.
"Here is to the health and prosperity
Of Annie!" exclaimed I, emptylpg the
cup.
Here's to Miss Minnie, who, I am
sure, will be tie best and truest ol
wives!" was the toast Of James, A. ht
too, emptied his cup.
"Now, here is real Havana" said
he, taking some cigars from his pocket
and handing me one which l lighted
Then settling back into the chair I list
ened to a detailed account Of his previ
Gus life. The narrative seemed very
uninteresting to me. and I was wishing
inwardly that it would soon end, for
had to go to S-that very night OIL
| Eusiness connected with the mill.
E Gradually the light became dim, ant
LIE voice of James sounded hollow.
led to tell him to trim the lamp ant
eak little louder, but my lips onl.
~ owed, aud not q sound came from IN,
rOat. The tobacco smoke is choking
e, thought I. ca ting my eye towart
fsy right hand, hich was slowly slip
ing from the edge of the table upo'
hich was lying the balf.consume
Sgar. Strange that I felt no pain as tn
and struck the sharp corner oi tn
hair. tried to rise, but my endeavor
ere vain. some heavy weight seeme
press on my shoulders, q weight tha
could not shake Off, / lifted my eye
'T ' James, wno was si' ting Opposit
to me. My God! Was 1t halluc,natio,
of my whirling brain, or was it reality
saw, as If through haze, the eye
Of James, glaring at me like those Of
wild cat about t. spring upon his prey
Every line of his features proclaime'
hate-undying hate. He rose aud cam
close to where I sat.
His voice sounded to me like the roa
of thunder, as he said:
aha! I've got you now, my fine fel
low; this time am sure that you cal
never, never marry Minnie. Ten min
utes more and you are dead. Oh! it.
, no use" cried lie in voice that pierce,
my ears, as he saw how l tried to shak
Off the coils that seemed to bind me t
1.-THE chair, 40 use whatever, old boy
eifI would let you 60 now you woul
dang me. True enough, gipsey ono
}. Mid that would break my neck, bu