Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-06-12
ADAM FLDGE's GOLD.

O.sS., lSlul uStt l1O0 S'HiIoI iu't, Ni'Vi
an absence of two years, bringing
home with him seven thousand dol
lars. in gold This snug sum was
considered fortunesin Muddybroolk;,
and Muddy brookaecordingly extend
ed it's arms to receive the amiable
Adam; although arnssorry to say
the Flidge family being poor, the
young adventurer had never been ap-
preciated by his towns people, until
the news that he had made his for
tune in California, opened their eyes
to his extraordinary merits
All black, and bearded, and un-
couth in his manners, as Adam was,
he was caressed by the first people
of Muddybrooli--people gay and
proud, who had formerly noticed
Adam no more than if he had been
dog. But Adam, fresh from the
society Of barbarians, and although
unaccustornsd to the smiles of the
tender sex, was Aattered, bewildered,
and dazzled by the bright eyes which
beamed fondly on him now. Wo-
mans smiles to him were welcome as
the breath of Spring to the bleak
hills and tempest rended trees. With
heart hungry for love, it is no won
der that he betrayed the most amia.
bic of human weaknesses, no wonder
that even beautiful Matilda Moore.
led him willing captive; the cold
and coquettish Matilda, to whom
Adam had offered himself in the day
of his poverty, and been fatty, con
temptu ously rejected.
Seen through gold bound glasses,
however, Adam appeared no more
the worthless wretch Matilda for
merly considered him. As the young
est of five unmarried daughters, in
whose maiden footsteps she was loi-
lowing fast, the pro"d Matilda Was
pretty well Gu iiiie'l TO Judge OF
Adams newly discovered merits. 81,
judged indeed and wlien the stupid
fellow, believing every women true,
once more offered her his hand, she
graciously accepted it. Adan al
most believed himself to be the
most fortunate fellow in c.world.
But while ADAM was so happy.
somebody was very miserable. TO |
every laugh Of his somebody echoed
sigh. While the balance of his
happiness was full, that Of another
kicked the beam. That other was
his foster sister-the fair Rose, who
had loved him ever, from his youth |
upward with an unaltered affection.
She was gentle, 3 winning creatufe5
and it is one of tie wonders of Gu
pid that Adam had never fallen in
love with her. She was fairer than
Matilda Moore, and tmust have been |
a silly pride which caused Adam to
prefer the position Of the latter to the
character of Rose.
Adam, in effect, did not appreciate
Rose. He did not understand her.
Could he have known how well she
loved him, the startling truth might
have brought him to his senses. But
he was one OF Cupid bats he could
not see the light. Often, after his
return, he discovered tears in the soft
eyes of Rose.
My dear sister," he would say,
what is. the matter?' kissing her
fondly, and playfully blowing the
tears off from her long lashes. "What
isthe matter g
Fool not to see fool not to discov-
er, in her evasiye answers, the grief
which was breakingher heart Blind,
indeed l-he appeared to see nothing
but the<charms of Matilda, and the
glitter of his gold, which he kept
lockea up in stout oaken chest,
previously to investing it in farm
for . self and wife. -
Now Adam had many old friends
who warned him against Matilda, and
whose wise counsel was despised.
His father and elder brother begged
him to make different choice, en-
deavoring to convince him that it
was only his money that Matilda
loved.
s." Do you think Ina baby p cried
Adam, once III Roses presence.
Cant read a woman's heart? If
Matilda didn't love ina, do you sup
pose I would be fool enough not
to see it? Shed have me ior hus-
band if 1 hadn't a penny in the
verdi y
tshe wouldn't look at you, ex-
claimed his father.
Upon which, both left the house
in different directions. Rose, TEN.
bling and weeping. remained alone.
1t is Father a singular coincidence,
thaton the serF next moraia ,ytt;am
opened his eyes considerably wider
tEan usual, ,.en fGst getting ep, at tHe
Strange, startling Sight, which made
him tremble and grow faint. The
lid of the oak chest Was lifted. Tie
gold was gone. And in its .pfacs
lay his ,5his Gn5as.. and ,RfdSaal
which he always placed Under his !
pillow on going to:bed5 as sechrity
against thieves.
Speeches and pale sdeath, Adam
stood gazing with look Of. despair
and rage at the riaed chest 1t was
evident that the robbers on entering
The room had first taken possession
of his weapons, and left them in place
sof the gold. At all events the gold
was gone Adam was penniless The
fruit of many months,of painful toll
had vanished in night time. The
trnth was too terrible telbe. realized,
the misfortune too great to bear.
IpasAoaEss, Eoise Adam called his