The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-09-21
LITTLE BESSY,
OR
John RickSon's Trial.

Back and fOrth-back and forth John
Ricksnn marched, almost spurnlng the
confines of the noble room that seemed
Just now to hem him i'll he Ganted space
space to breath in, space to think 1t all
ouI III. Every nerve Of ms strong frame
quivered his eyes were bloodshot.
Once he stopped before an elegant toilet
table, daintily draped with delicate laces
falling over masses of pale, lustreless pink
silk, and lavishly furnished. Cases III
gold 6lagree bottles capped with silver,
that bore such slender tracery Of leaf and
vine as the spirit Of the frost breathes
upon crystal little boxes filled with ap-
pliances for the delectable tinting Of Aura's
complexion here an oddly shaped bit Of
silver, with tiny blades, devoted to the
triuanings Of her shapely nails.
Well. he had always delighted i'll Aura )
stately beauty Mhy should the sight OF
these things make him trOwn and gnash
his teeth, and groan like man plunged in
the very depths Of despair
John was 50 and not handsome. There
was power in his face it was capable Of a
wonderful illumination at times. Once
seen, it could never be forgotten once
AOfcN, ~ Soilt biA AAAS " lAAO hS~A' A'i " my
time.
He was Of medium height his limbs
were straight and symmetrical his chest
was broad, and the muscles of his arms
we're as hard as iron. He was al enemy
to be dreaded in the time Of sudden rage
of overwhelming anger.
Once, as he stood there, he lifted his
heavy hand as if to sweep of the pretty
appliances over which he brooded with set
lips, and eyes that held a story in their
gloom but lust at that moment there
came a knock At the door, and he stepped
back, painting.
who's there n he asked, between his
teeth.
Master-father T. exclaimed q voice
purs and clear a. some note Of divlnest
music.
$50 away T. he said, almost harshly
don't want you now. Will she never
have done calling me master, wonder =
he added.
And yet, before he spoke, there had sont
over his face a strange, quick rapture. He
had taken one, two steps toward the door
then stopped, with both hands held hard
against his breast, as if in the act Of hold
ing back some demon Then hs listened
with ear intent, his head thrust forward.
Utter silence then slow rustic, as OF
woman's garments then lingering
step-lrresolute, fainter, yet fainter
silence again.
II need not have been so harsh with
the child, he said under his breath but
what am to do God only knows how
suffer treachery on one hand, and the
sweetest love that ever man could take u
his heart on the other. Aura, | would
have been true to death, but you have
made my cup very bitter, woman-very
bitter And Oliver he paused, hl'
lips trembled, his voice grew broken
whom | loved with love passing that
of woman-Oh, my God and you, too
have betrayed me.
He threw himself into a deep arm chan
by the window. Passing fair WAS the
vision before him but as far as it com
msnded his appreciation, 1t might have
been covered with a sackclOth and ashes
In the distance, a rock walled harbOr, th'
CLINT Of the blue waters beyond; the ter
raced grounds to the right, swelling int
stately hills q little chapel built by th'
Jesuits, centuries ago forests Of whit,
sails out in the harbOr, and the sun pour
ing gold Hpon field and valley upon hi
own wide acres, upon the jewelled water
creeping up to his retreat but for the COO
shades Of two great elms. He smileC
grimly as he saw them - the trees
grown so tall and stately. Oliver ha'
planted one, and he the other. Over tn
slender withes they had joined hands an'
sworn eternal friendship. They wer
boys then. divers face was bright will
Italian beauty. There were truth and low
in the dark, passionate eyes.
They had grown up together, left col
lege together, gone into business together
John had money, and both had brains.
John travelled and brought home q wifi
q lovely creature, upon whom the sun o
| prosperity had always Snowman heiress
Poor John, he had gwen the whole wealtI
Of his heart to heArtless girl, and h
knew it soon, to his cost. She cared TO
nothing but her pAmpered self. He in
dulged her in all her fancies, even to tn
adoption of pretty child, q few year
after their marriage.
For . while the child pleased her as
new toy might, and then she tired of il
But John loved the little creature sh
amused him with her artless prattle. A
she grew older, and made progress in he
studies and accomplishments, she gave
soul to the long useless grand piano whic
stood in one of the parlOs, and John Wa
passionAtely fond Of music
The girl was now 10, and John, who's
wife had resolutely driven him from hel
by long continued ooldness, had allowe
himself to fasAen the broken tendrils (
his love about this gentle woman-child.
But, God help the man He had nc
known how it stood, till now-~OuO-whe
he held in his hAad Q srushsd paper-th