The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-01-14

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when Jackson acted in 80 singular
manner. But although there was col
siderable resemblance, there was yer
great difference? In short, the portra
was not that of the poor patient. An
who could this beautiful creature be
Surely near and dear friend to m
stern, rugged .ellow-student, who had he
likeness thus chained to his neck. Ws
she sister? No; there was not on
feature in common between them Ev
IDENTIFY no very near blood relation. HI
wife? Surely "California Jackson" neve
had it in him to win such a gloriou
creature. Still women are queer in thei
choice sometimes. Closing the locket,
tried to dismiss the subject from m
mind.
But now fancied that had a partis
clew to Jackson's conduct at the opera
tion on that memorable morning. Tim
passed heavily. l helped myself to
cigar from the case which stood on th
mantel-piece. My thoughts reverted t
the portrait; and until the cold gre,
light of drizzly winter morning brok
into the apartment, / sat smoking
dreaming, and conjecturing. The morn
ing advanced the tramp Of an occasion
al workman going to his labor, or tn
rattle of a solitary cart or cab, began t,
disturb the gloomy silence of the street
Then the footsteps and the vehicles be
came more frequent, until at length tn,
heavy grinding of the social MACHINERY
of great city was in full swing. Mis-
Vinegar made her appearance, and I hat
frugal breakfast, then set out for tn,
hospital, feeling rather seedy, it must b,
confessed. All that day had stron,
tendency to doze during the lectures
circumstance which caused the worthy
professors to regard me with a peculiar
glance, for ! am not usually sleepy
headed. In the evening again founc
myself at poor Jackson's lodgings. TIL,
docter had called, and gave Miss Vinegar
a very gloomy opinion about the case
Feared that an amputation of the hand,
even of the arm, might be necessary
Possibly of early fatal termination Of
the case. Miss V. was to sit up that
night; so ! went on to my own lodgings
and received the domestic attentions OF
"old Jenny"
And in this manner days passed. Poor
Jackson's arm was ripped up in different
places by the surgeons knife. Slowly
but surely he pulled round, and at length
the surgeon pronounced him out OF
danger. But what feeble scarecrow he
was, poor fellow!
Jackson was man of iron frame, but
it had been terribly tasked. For months
he was too feeble to attempt going out
of doors, and l was his constant COM
panion, so far as my duties would per-
nit. And in gratitude he gave me his
story.
eyes, sir, l loved her--loved her, al
though she was so young, innocent and
beautiful, and so old, wicked, and ugly.
But l fought hard for her. You see,
was, first of all, the manager of the silver
mines under her father; then 1 was
made a partner. ! worked hard. Her
father is an Englishman; her mother
was of Spanish descent. How beautiful
she is! how good
Zone night her father came to me and
$; SAID ID Jackson, back ?1, you say you love my
81 grasped his hand.
jackson, rush will be made for the
mine tonight. A band of armed des-
peradoes is prepared to take possession of
our treasure. Save it! Think, plan,
act! IT, you are successful, Anna will be
yours-take my word; there is my
hand
"Sir, laid several loads of gunpowder
in certain parts of the mine, and l had
electric wires so arranged
that the. blasts could be fired by per-
son outside. If the desperadoes got into
the mine, could by movement of my
hand send them into eternity in an
instant. But had to be quick, and to
work hard. About IL midnight / took
up my post in concealed spot outside
The mCu.h of the mine, ready to send an
electric spark which would play havoc
with all inside the workings 1t was a
nOOnlit night, but cloudy. About l a.
N. l saw shadowy figures creeping eau
.iously up to the mouth of the mine.
They were armed. Suddenly rush was
made. The attacking party seemed to
expect opposition; but none was offered,
Ind soon they vanished into the bowels
If the earth. / gave them time to get
airly into the mine, and then Lord,
,ave mecy upon me Il
'"It was hard work clearing out the
nine, and the dead bodies were awfully
lsed up; but the mine was saved. What
lorrid dreams had after that!
"Time passed. claimed Anna. The
ather kept his word, but the daughter
lad a mind Of her own. Long and ear
testify l urged my love suit; but the
ady was hard hearted. How often have
gone on my knees to her and prayed
With tears in my eyes that she would
ave mercy upon me! Once she laughed
n my face. Thank Heaven that l was
Without my revolver then, or neither of
Is would have been alive to-day!
Sometimes l thought that was mad
hus to urge my love; /, an old man,
ardened and scared; she, young girl,
gnorant and innocent. Surely my love
eason ended when / fed from the old
vorld to the new; when fed after being
ilted by worthless woman. But the
1adness returned upon me. Imust have
anna, or diei
.'The alarm was raised. The cry arose,
The Apaches!'
"Anna's father rushed to me.
"'Great heaven my daughter! the
ndians! Oh, save herl'
Gamma had strayed too far into the
age brush. She was self-willed and
rave hearted. She laughed at the In
ians; but her father and knew better.
he Apaches had won the game this
me.
e Yes, we rescued her, but / got an
rrow wound which fevered me for
'eeks, and a slash from tomahawk
'hich left this mark on my brow; but |
recovered after long illness. It was
walk through the Valley of the Shadow
{ Death. But Anna nursed me, and |
hat made the Valley of the Shadow of
cath to appear as heaven. Oh, the
cstacy of gazing on her beautyl Oh.
he joy of being tended by such an angel | |
was sorry to get well 80 soon, but did |
ct well. Then the dream, the happy
ream ended. Anna once more became
old as ice, and my stout heart died
'ithin me.
"Then the question arose, why should
live? Igot to care for nothing, neglected