Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1875-01-01

But although there was considerable
resemblance there was very great diff
ference; in short, the portrait was not
that of the poor patient. And who could
this beautiful creature be? Surely a
near and dear friend to my stern, rugged
fellow-student who had her likeness
thus chained to mis- neck. Was she a
sister? No; there was not one feature
in common between them. Evidently
no very near blood-relation. His wife?
Surely California Jackson" never had
it in him to win such a glorious creature.
Still, women are queer in their. choice
sometimes. Closing the locket, tried to
dismiss the subject from my mind.
But now fancied that had partial
clew to Jackson's conduct at the opera
ton on that memorable morning. Time
passed heavily. l helped myself TO a
cigar from the case which stood on the
mantel-piece. My thoughts reverted to
the portrait, and until the cold, gray light
of a drizzly winter morning broke into
the apartment sat smoking, dreaming
and conjecturing. The morning ad-
vanced, the tramp of an occasional work
man going to his labor or the rattle of a
solitary cart or cab began to disturb the
| gloomy silence Of the street. Then the
footsteps and the vehicles became more
frequent, until at length the heavy grind
ing of the social machinery of great
city was in full swing. Miss Vinegar
made her appearance and l had frugal
breakfast, then set out for the hospital,
feeling rather seedy, it must be confessed.
All that day had a strong tendency to
doze during the lectures-a circumstance
which caused the worthy professors to
regard me with a peculiar glance, for
am not usually sleepy-headed In the
evening again found myself at poor
Jackson's lodgings. The doctor had
called and gave Miss Vinegar very
| gloomy opinion about the case. Feared
that amputation of the hand, even of the
arm, might be necessary. Possibility 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 cold 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 scare-crow
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 [ was his constant compan-
ion, so far as my duties would permit.
And in gratitude he gave me his story.
Yes, sir, I loved her-loved her, al
though she was so young, innocent and
beautiful, and so old, wicked and ugly.
But fought hard for her. You see, l
was, first of all, the manager of the sill
sro hor fot thar T
made partner / worked hard. Her
father is an Englishman; her mother was
| of Spanish descent. How beautiful she
is! how good!
One night her father came to me and
said: jackson, you say you love my
girl. Prove it,"
l grasped his hand.
jackson, rush will be made for the
mine tonight. A band of armed desper-
ADDE'S is prepared to take possession of
our treasure. Save it! Think, plan, act!
If 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 I had
connecting electric wires so arranged
that the blasts could be fired by per-
son outside. If the desperadoes got into
the mine / could by a movement of my
hand send them into eternity in an in
slant. But 1 had to be quick and to
work hard About twelve (midnight)
took up my post in a concealed spot out
side the mouth of the mine, ready to
send an electric spark which would play
havoc with all inside the workings. It
was moon-lit night, but cloudy. About
one a. m. | saw shadowy figures creeping
cautiously 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,
and soon they vanished into the bowels
of the earth. | gave them time to get
fairly into the mine and then Lord
have mercy upon NELL
1t was hard work clearing out the mine
and the dead bodies were awfully used
up, but the mine was saved. What hor-
rid dreams / had after that!
Time passed. / claimed Anna. Her
father kept his word, but the daughter
had mind of her own. Long and earnest
ly urged my love suit, but the lady was
hard hearted. How often have gone on
my knees to her and prayed, with tears
in my ewes, that she would have mercy
on me! Once she laughed in my face.
Thank Heaven that was without my re-
volver then, or neither of us would have
been alive to-day!
Sometimes l thought that was mad
thus to urge my love; l, an old man,
hardened and scared; she, young girl,
ignorant and innocent. Surely my love
season ended when / fled from the Old
World to the New-when l fed, after
being Tilted by worthless woman. But
the madness returned upon me. / must
have Anna or die!
The alarm was raised. The cry arose:
"The Apaches"
Annals father rushed to me:
"Great Heaven! my daughter the In
dians Oh, save her!"
Anna had strayed too far into the sage
bush. She was selfwilled and brave
hearted; she laughed at the Indians; but
her father and | knew better. The
| Apaches had won the game this time.
Yes, we rescued her; but got an ar
row wound which fevered me for weeks,
1 and slash from tomahawk which left
this mark upon my brow; but recov-
cred after long illness. 1t was walk
through the Valley of the Shadow of
Death. But Anna nursed me, and that
made the Valley of the Shadow of Death
to appear as heaven. Oh, the ecstasy of
gazing on her beauty! Oh, the joy of
being tended by such an angel! | was
sorry to get well so soon, but did get
well. Then the dream, the happy dream,
ended. Anna once more became as cold
as ice, and my stout heart died within
me.
Then the question arose, Why should
/ live? | got to care for nothing, neg
lected the mine, took to drink; every
thing went wrong. Then her father came
to me and said
jackson, what is the matter? This
| won't do EUprufhinn 10 n0inn to