The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-08-10
FOR TWENTY YEARS.

1t don't seem much of story to tell,
though it was a tough one to live. You
see, it was more than twenty years ago
that my twin brother and | sold out our
homestead in New York, and went to
California to seek our fortunes. All the
rest of the family were dead, and we
two were the more attached to each
other for that
Well, we tried mining, and we tried
everything we could think of, but moth
ing seemed to prosper with US; we only
grew poorer and poorer.
Finally, we thought of the idea of sep
arating, 50 as to work two fields at 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 20 there and try his luck,
while the other staid in San Francisco,
and carried on little business we had
stal ted there.
OF course, everything was in partner
ship. | never thought of an interest
separate from his, and he, | know, felt
the same.
Well, the question arose, which Of us
should 90. 1t wasn't very tempting,
the mining life, and neither of US was
anxious for it, 50 we drew lots to see
who should 90.
The lot fell to me.
There was another reason why | didn't
want to 90, besides the uncomfortable
life, but / would not tell Rob; for /
could not drive himof to the mines, and
| knew his generous heart so well, that |
was sure he would insist on going, if he
were aware of all.
D,,4 !, rl I
was in love, and | couldn't bear to leave
my dainty Susy to fight the world
alone-she was a music teacher, poor
thingi-nor for other fellows to fall in
love with.
However, / submitted, of course, to
the lot, and made my preparations to
20. 1t was a sad heart that | bore
around to Susy's rooms that night, and
| 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 meet it before
she asked me a question. After we had
spoken of the weather, and the book |
brought her the day before, at last she
said quietly:
We'll, Ralph, what is it? | know
you have bad news for me-"
Its bad for me, Susy, and Pm
afraid it will be bad for you; though
you know"
couldn't go on, and she spoke again,
brave IL she always was:
Ralph, you know Pm used to mis-
fortunes. Tell me at once"
30 | told her, and she bore it nobly-
As | knew She would-though | was the
only friend she had in San Francisco,
except her pupils.
But | had thought of another plan to
make my going little easier. That
was TO make her my wife before / left,
30 is TO leave her in the care of Rob,
and relieve her from the hard life she
was living.
After some persuasion she consented
to it.
30, day or two afterward, we three,
i had told Bob-went into a quiet
little church, and Susy was given to me
to cherish and protect.
Brave little woman, how trustingly
she gave me her heart, and how baselv |
failed her. How ready | was to be-
lIeye-
But let me 20 back | took her to
our coy boarding-place, which was in
deed 4 home to Us, installed her as its
mistress, made every provision that love
could suggest for her comfort, enioyed
the bliss Of a few hours honeymoon, and
then left her.
needn't speak of that. 1t was hard.
| tell you.
Ah, we'll. I'm an old man now-older
by sorrow than by years; but | never
shall forget the fresh, dainty look of my
darling, as | LETT her on the steps that
bitter day-a bride in the morning, a
widow 1T night And | never did forget
it through all the black years though it
seemed Is If the very memory of it would
drive ME mad.
WE'LL | went to the mines, and | tried
faithfully, eagerly, for my heart was
longing % 70 back 10 her. But / could
not succeed.
Mails were not then established. 50
did not hear from my two dear ones; but
all the harder | toiled, for never a
thought on doubt entered my mind |
was only too glad to have my dear broth
Or to care for her, and save her from all
rough contact with the world.
Finding no luck in the mines, | deter
mined to push on into the Indian
country, and try little hunting and
trapping-for that was good business
then. | succeeded a little better at that,
but wandered on, and finally came out
1T Frazer river, where the gold excite
ment had broken out fiercely.
| don't know now whether it was
months or years-days and weeks were
alike to me for long time-but at last |
was successful, and got together five
thous md dollars in yellow dust. Of
course, my only thought was of my wife,
and seized the first opportunity to send
of the treasure,