The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-28
For Twenty Years!
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

-" sec. IL WAS more tnan tWent'
years ago that my twin brother and
sold out our homestead in New York
and went to California to seek our for
tune. All the rest of the family wer,
dead, and we two were the more. at
tached TO each other for that.
Well, we tried mining, and we tried
trading, and we tried everything we
could think OF, but nothing seemed te
prosper with us ; we only grew poorer
and poorer. al#uaE oassa stf
1 Fiually, we thought of the idea oil
separating, so as to work two fields al
once, before the last of our capital was
gone There was great talk just then
of some new gold region, and we
agreed that one of us should go there
and try his luck, while the other stayed
III San Francisco and carried on little
business we had started there. tl ia.
Of course, everything was partner
ship. l never thought of an interest
separate from his, and he, knew, felt
the same.
We'll, the question arose which of
us should go. 1t wasn't very tempt
ing, the mining life, and neither of us
was anxious tor it, and so we drew
| lots to see who should go. aE a
The lot fell to me. us 9 eai
There was another reason why
didn't want to go, besides tho uncom-
Portable life, but l wouldn't tell Bob;
for l woulda't drive him off to the
mines, and l knew his generous heart
SO well that l was sure he would insist
on going if he were aware of all.
But-well, the truth is, in word, /
was in love, and 1 couldn't bear to
leave my dainty Susy to fight the
world alone-she was music-teacher
poor thing-nor for other fellows to
fall in love with. . .g3a.ea4
However, l submitted, of course, to
the lot, and made my preparations to
go. 1t was sad heart that l bore
around to Susy's rooms that night,
and l couldn't bear to tell her; but,
bless you! she no sooner saw my face
than she knew something was coming,
and she braced herself up TO me ct it
before she asked me question. After
we had spoken of the weather, aud
the book l had brought her the day
before, at last she said, quietly:
well, Ralph, what is it? 1 know
You have bad news for me-
Its bad for me, Susy,and I'm afraid
it will be bad for you; though you
know "
l couldn't go on, and she spoke
again. brave as she always was;
Ralph, you know1 am used to mis-
fortunes. Tell me at once
So told her, and she bore it nobly
AS | knew she wOuld-thought [
was the only friend she had in San
francisco, except her pupils
But had thought of another plan
% make my going little easier That
was, to make her my wife before 1
eft, so as to leave her i'm the care of |
Bob, and relieve her from the hard
ife she was Lying. nH.
After some persuasion she consent.
ID to it. a. t5.sr.
So, day or two afterward, we
hree-I had told Rob--went into a
luiet church. and Susy was given to
ne to cherish and protect till death.
Brave little woman how trustinylv
he gave me her heart, and how base
y failed her! How ready l was to
elieye-
But let me go back. l took her to
ur cozy boarding place. which was
indeed a home to us, installed her as
Is mistress, made every provision
hat love could suggest for her COM
ort, enjoyed the bliss of few hours
oneymoon, and thtn left her.
l needn't speak of that. 1t was hard.
tell you.
Ah, well! l am an old man now
lder by sorrow than by years; but
hall never forget the fresh, dainty
'ok of my darling, as left her OH the
teps that bitter day-a bride in the
norning, widow at night. And l q
ever did forget it through all the q
lack years, though it seemed as
hough the very memory of it would s
rive me mad. {
Well, went to the mines, and l
ried faithfully, eagerly, for my heart 8
7as longing to get back to her. But l I
ould not succeed. Mails were not !
len established, SO L did not hear
'om my two dear ones; but all the
arder toiled, for never thought of {
oubt entered my mind. l was only
20 glad to have my dear brother to
ire for her, and save her from all
'ugh contact with the world. h
Finding 10 luck In the mines, l de- q
to push on into the Indian y
,untry. and try little hunting and h
that was good business
len. / succeeded little better at /
'at, but wandered on, and finally
Ime out at Frazer river, where the T
Did excitement had broken out fierce II
l don't know now whether it was h
onths or years--days and weeks I,
ere alike to me for long time-but b
last l was successful, and got to-
ether five thousand dollars i'm the +,
elbow dust. or course, my only I
fought was of my wife, and | seized q
le first opportunity to send OF the
easure.
"A miner, going home, willingly G.
ok charge OF my little pile, and soon
begun TO look for letters. |,
Bob's l could easily imagine--moble, =
anly, like himself. Susy's | thought
:, and tried TO fancy, hundreds OF y
mes, for Ia never had letter from
l.