Lexington weekly intelligencer., 1873-05-14
adam ridges cold.

NuoTs u0S0 SVSss
Mr. Adam FIidgc, of Muddybrook,
u. s., returned from California, after
an absence of two years, bringing
homo with him seven thousand dol
lars In gold. This snug sum was
considered fortune in Muddybrook;
and Muddybro accordingly extend
ed its arms to receive the amiable
Adam although am sorry to say
the flidge family being poor, the
young adyenturer had never been
appreciated by his townspeople. 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 carcssed by the first people OF
Muddybrook-people gay and proud,
who had formerly noticed Adam no
more than II he had been o dog. But
Adam, fresh from the society Of bar
| bar'ahs; ard altogether unaccnstomcd
to tho smiles of the tender sex, was
tlattcrcd, bcwiidcred, dazzled by tho
bright eyes which beained fondiy on
him uoW. tYomaH's smiles to him
were welcome rs the breath of Spring
to 'ha bltak hills and tempest rcnded
irres. Will heart hungry for love,
il is 10 wonder that he betrayed tile
most aniablc of human weaknesses ;
| no wonder that even the not very
beautiful Matilda Moore led him q
willing captive; the cold and coquet-
| tish Matilda. to whom Adam had
offered himself IN the days of his
aud hnn,, A,tlv cnnf .
| onsiy rejected.
Seen through gold bound glasses,
however, Adam appeared no more
the worthless wretch Matilda former
ly considered him. As the youngest
oftive unmarried daughters, in whose
maiden footsteps she was following
fast, the proud Matilda was pretty
well qualified to judge of Adams
newly discovered merits. She Judged
indeed aud when the stupid fellow,
believing every woman true, once
more offered her his hand, she graci-
ously accepted it. Adam almost
burst with joy and pride. lie firmly
believed himself to be the most fortu-
nate fellow in the world.
But while Adam was SO happy,
somebody was very miserable. TO
every laugh of his somebody echoed
a sigh. While the balance of his hap
piness was full, that ofanother kicked
the beam. That other was his foster
sister-the fair Rose, who had loved
him ever, from his youth upward
with an una!tered affection. She was
gentle, winning creature, and it il
one of the wonders of Cupid that
Adam had never fallen in love with
her. She was fairer than Matilda
Moore, and it must have been q silly
pride which caused Adam to prefer
the position of the latter to the CHAR.
actcr of Rose. :.
Adam in effect, did not appreciate
Rose. RE d7d not understand her
Gould he have known how well she
loved him, the startling truth might
have brought him to his senses. But
he was one of Cupid's bats, he could
not see the light. Often, after his
return, he discovered tears in the sof,
eyes of Rose.
"My dear sister," he would say,
"what is the matter?" kissing hci
foadly, and playfully blowing the
tears off from her long eyc-lashcs
"What is the matter?"
| Fool not to- see! fool not to discov
er, i'll her evasive answers, the grie
which was breaking her heart
Blind, indeed!-h appeared to sc,
nothing except the charms of Matilda
and the glitter Of his gold, which h,
kept locked up in a stout oaken chest
previously to investing it in farm
for "self and wife"
Now Adam had many old friend:
who warned him against Matilda
and whose wise counsel was despised
His father and elder brother begged
him to make different choice, ell.
deavoring to convince him that it was
only his money that Matilda loved.
"Do you think Pm baby?" cried
Adam, once i'll Roses presence
Cant j read woman's heart? II
Matilda didn't love me, do you sup
pose | would be fool enough not to
see it? She'd have me for her hus-
band II hadn't a penny i'll the
world"
'She wouldn't look at you," ex-
claimed his father.
Upon which, both left the house in
different directions. Rose, trembling
and weeping, remained alone.
1t is rather singular coincidence,
that OH the very next morning Adam
opened his eyes considerably wider
than usual, on first getting uD, at the
strange, startling sight, which made
him tremble and grow faint. The
lid of the oak chest was lifted. The
gold was gone. And in its place lay
his bowie knife and revolver. which
he always placed under his pillow on
going to bed, as security against
thieves.
Speechicss and pale as death, Adam
stood gazing with look of despair
and rage ut the riflcd chest. 1t was
evident that the robbers OH entering
the room had first taken possession
of his weapons, and left them in place
of the gold. At all events the gold
was gone Adam was penniless! The
fruit of many months of painful toll
had vanished in a night time. The
truth was too terrible to be realized,
the misfortune too great to bear.
In q hoarse voice Adam called his
father, and communicated to him the
fearful intelligence. 1t is hard to say
which was the most angry of the two.
They discovered how the robber
might have entered and left the house,
and they raised the alarm at once.
In All hour all Muddybrook rang with
the report of the robbery, aud officers
were in pursuit of the thieves. In
vain! No gold was to be recovered
mo thieves were caught.
The fever Of excitement into which
! Adam was thrown by his misfortune
caused him 1T ofillness. For week
lie laid groanlng OH Il bed of pain and
despair. All this time his affianced
the false Matilda, never visited him
But Rose, the faithful, devoted Rose
was always by his side to 500, he aut
console him, and picture happier
times.
4 Immediately OH his recovery Adam
betook himself to Mr.. Moore's house
Still unwilling to believe AIatild:
faithless, he went to pour out hi
sorrow in her sympathizing ear anl
, to assure her of his unchanging affec
, ton. Matilda's forbidding aspec
chilled his heart; she regarded him a
, ifhe had been some unfortunate per
son whom she had seen somewhere
and of whom she retained remarka
! bly, disagreeable recollections
, Adams eyes were open to his folly
) and he reproached her bitterly.
''Not another word, STRIP erie,
Matilda, haughtily, interrupting hi
!. complaint. "If YOU have been dc
fceiYel in mel have been deceiye