The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-01-06
The Price of Dora's Gold.
EY ;. ANNIE FROST.

"Ifyou had half the spirit Of a man, you
would 60 tOO,n
Poor John Raynor had heard this so often
in the last two weeks that at last he was
reused 10 answer.
"See here, Dora" he said, pulling his wife
down upon his knee, and holding her fast
''do you mean that? You have said it about
fifty times since this expedition was talked
about, now tell me If you want me TO go.'
Dead silence on the part of Dora.
Il have been working hard for five years
10 clear of the mortgage upon the farm, that
| might have a home for YOU" continued
John earnestly, land 1t is mine now, clear of
debt. We are not rich, but am strong and
not afraid of work, and you have been
brought up farmers daughter, and know
The duties Of farmers wife. Six month ago
you were rs happy as bird, my bride and
darling, but now -
Nov interrupted Dora, 81 see an oppor.
iunity for you TO become rich IN a few
months, instead of toiling and shaving for
life, as your father and my father toiled and
shaved 10 make II bare living by farming
They tell Us that gold can be picked up at the
Black Hills ia pockelfus at time"
"Well:"
"And we could be rich. We could leave
This miserable farm and go to the city to live
in great house, with servants carriages
fine furniture Oh, Jobnw
Dora had slipped from her perch upon hci
husbands knee, and stood before him, hel
little figure drawn erect, her big blue eye,
flashing, her cheeks crimson with excite
mcnt
"And it would make you happyg" asked
John, wistiully.
"Yesl OF course it would! Who would
not be happy with plenty of money!"
There arc two sides to the question:" said
John, quietly. "The Indians have the right
10 keep US oil This promising gold country
and they defend its passes. 1t may be your
bag of gold will lie only John Raynor',
scalped headm
"Oh, if you are afraid to go, that ends itr
Dora said, quickly.
II was a cruel speech. and 1t stabbed the
honest loving heart Of John Raynor 10 the
core. lie was no coward, but strong, brav.
man, with noble nature, but he was so fond
OF his home, Of the farm he had worked so
faithfully 10 clear of debt, and of the wife he
had loved for five long years.
Only SIX months had passed since his wed.
ding day. when Dora seemed entirely happy
in his love, and in the cosy nest he had taken
an honest pride in winning for her.
Then the young men OF the village Of Top
ham became smilten with the gold fever
and about dozen of them resolved 10 form
an expedition To go 10 the Black Hills.
Dora's brother, Tom Haven, was the prime
mover in The scheme, and coming every day
20 lay all his dreams AMI plans before hi
sister, he had inspired her with the same
feverish thirst for gold that was driving hin
from home 10 brave the tolls and perils q
the expedition.
Like many women brought up to work
hard, TO own bat little finery, 10 live upon
plain fsre, Dora set fictitious value upon
the delights OF wealth. She built gorgeous
aircastles founded upon the few works oil
fction she had read, and dreamed Of an ex
istence to which princess In fairy tale
would have been dull and prosaic.
And with her hesi full of these airy Wis
eas, l. provoked As' 81 IL patience .hsl