Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-07-24

] Sidy, dHu tIl0lt ULOWS WTukl6O, very
early. Friends were pitifnl; but grief
does not invite-it rather repels.
AT last they seemed to stand alone in
the world; old acquaintance and rela-
tives were gone, or had forgotten them.
They made no new ones. Poor, lonely,
sad, they chung to each other, and
shared each others sorrows and trials.
There was no JOY to share. Their child
would have been eighteen years old
,cds, if he lived-when what is called a
piece of good luck happened to them.
A far-away relative died and left them
a little fortune. He had not taken
much notice of them during life. but he
had given them thought on his
death-bed. They were comparatively
rich. When they knew it, the same
thought came to each at once. The NO.
man uttered it first
Martin" said she, perhaps we can
find our boy, after all. When once we
have the money we will advertise him
all over the length and breadth of the
land. He may not remember, but the
| blessed mark you put upon his foot,
that he will know of. He will come to
us-I feel sure of tat last, Martin, at
last" GtD
Yes, it may be so, Agnes" the man
said. at may be so; the time has
been long, the days woeful, but we may
be happy, after all that has gone. Agnes,
l believe it will be so.''
They kissed each other, and made
ready for the journey which they must
take to enter upon their inheritance.
And they travelled together over the
road with eyes that grew brighter for
this small spark of hope in their hearts.
Through all the proceedings that fol-
lowed, this grew and grew; and when,
at last, they found themselves undis-
puted owners Of pretty house and
money enough to live on in comfort,
they began to feel sure that their boy
would vet share it with them.
The first evening in their new house
was almost happy.
agnes, we must put this cash away
in bank tomorrow" said the husband,
counting over roll of notes. "It is
not safe to keep it here, and we must
be CAREFUL we have that to do which
must make us economical"
eyes, Martini" said his wife, as she
held the light for him and he locked
tho small. old-fashioned safe. "fOu
see, when the boy comes to us, we will
want to do all we can for him, and home
must be pretty place. We can live
on almost nothing until he does come"
Afterward, in the dark, their heads
close together on the pillow, the elderly
couple talked on, dreaming like chill
dren,
Martini" said Agnes, "when he does
come, our poor boy! perhaps he will
be rough and not well hammered; he
has not had us to teach him; we must
be very lenient."
"Yes, yes," said Martin; "but the
boy will improve. He will improve.
Young as he is. he can 60 to college
yet"
away from us!' said the mother.
"No, no, he shall come home every
day." said the father. "Will he be
tall, wonder? We are usually tall, but
your people are shorter"
Something may have happened to
hurt his looks" said the mother; g. but
we would only love him better for it if
it is so. However he comes, we will be
so good, so good to him. He will come,
will he not, Martin? he could not be
dead, after all?'
mo, no, feel sure that he will come.
I've known all the while he was not
dead" said Martin. "Pll advertise all
over the United States--all over Europe.
If that fails, even in India, in some
way. You see, he may have been car
ried to some foreign country. Men who
know all languages that are spoken
shall see that my advertisement is put
into each one. Yes, we shall have him
back"
".Hark," said Agnes; what is that?"
They listened. A low, grating sound
at the door below, regular and carefully
subdued-a click-a crack.
"Some one is trying to break in," said
Martin. ....
Agnes had her face in the pillows.
They were alone in lonely house on
lonely road. They had several thou
sand dollars in their possession. Mar
tin was not powerful man, and though
he had pistol, there might be two or
three against one, and then there was
little hope for him.
He arose and took his weapon in his
hands, and felt about in the dark for
matches. And Agnes heard creak-
ing of the flooring and the sound of
muffled footsteps, and also sprang to
the floor.
They are at the safe below ~ cried
Martin. agnes, the money--the
money for onr boy. Oh! if my life is
lost for its sake, cannot lose that. l
cannot cannot !"
Martin Martin. stay-do not go.