Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1879-10-09

"Re good to yourself, Eddie, and next
winter if any little lonely Adelina's come
cold and frightened to the old red school
house yonder, be kind to them as you
were to me-
Something choked in my throat, and
could not say word; but kissed hel
more than once; and after she had slip
ped from my arms and was twenty rods
away, sat down and cried like baby, be-
cansc | was never to see Adelina again.
1t was not long before the rumor was
rife in the neighborhoOd that Mrs. La
grange had married II middle-agcd city
millionaire, and that the young widow
and her child had found a new protector
in ohc place of the one death had taker
from them.
Years fitted BY was q; | had fought
through the great rcbcllion-cntcrcd the
army private and came out of it IL Cap
tain, shattered in health, and utterly de-
pletcd in pocket, to find myself at home
again, i'll and altogether distrusttul of tu'
turcs smile.
In my frequent walks to the village
Post Office often passed by the old red
school house, and never without sigh oi
regret for the many happy, carc-free days
spent within its battered walls.
Among the letters handed to me one
morning was one pOst-markcd New York,
which informed me of the agreeable tact
that, through the instrumentality of a
friend of mine whom he was anxious to
serve, the undersigned, Mr.. Maxwell, had
been induced to extend to me a CONNER
cial opening at the liberal salary OF 81
900 year, to be increased if mcritcd.
There was fortune for me in the offer, and
| accepted it with alacrity.
Mr.. Maxwell, rich New York mor-
chant, from the first took u lively interest
in my advancement. The unknown friend
| could not account for in any other way
than by supposing it to he some soIdior
comrade whom had bcfricnded in the
past. go,
Within month | was fairly established
at my new post of duty, and succeeded in
pleasing Mr.. Maxwell so well that, at the
beginning of my second year, he sent me
to Europe in the interest of the house.
When | returned, | was given a week S
vacation, which spent among the breezy
hills of my old country nome, passing the
pleasant September days in tramping
through the woods and fields and by-ways
that were the chosen hauntS Of my boy
hood.
was Just turning the curve in the road
where the Canada thistles grew, and SC
lost in my walking reverie that ! was a
most opposite lady standing in their
midst before | was aware OF her pres
cnCe.
81 am glad you still love the old scenes,
Mr.. Durand, " she said, without expressing
the least surprise.
was astOnished. Here was lady
whom, to the best of my knowledge, had
never seen before, addressing me as famil.
iarly as it we had known each other all
our lives.
"Naues are trcachcrous things and II
were ever so fortunate as to have known
yours, am guilty of having forgottenlt,'
| replied.
"Men forget easily, am told; but
had hoped to find you an exception to the
rule.
A very awkward silence on my part en-
sued. She took pity on my evident cmbar
rassmcnt and continued;
"IIas your battle with the world entire.
ly driven from your recollection all the old
school facesH"
Her voice dropped to its old, sweet olear
winning cadence, thrilling my whole being
with delight.
"Adclmd!"
caught her liand, and before knew
what was doing had carried it to my
lips and kissed it.
Excuse me-" stammcrcd; "but l.
am so glad to see you, and You seem just
| the same little girl kissed here year,
ago-not bit taller, not bit oldcr-only
Adelina, always lovely and always
loved"
Then told her all about myself, how
prosperous | was, and the strange manner
in which had been brought to the notice
of my kind employer. When | had fin
ishcd she merely said, in her simple way
81 know it.
"You appear to know everything. D,
You know Mr.. Maxwell?'
ale is my father.
"And my unknown friend
"Adeliua."
| staggered back, in my soul ashamcI
that should owe every coed in lite-cv
erything to woman who owed me nOtn
| ing but poor lavCr OF once having un
tied for her a wretchcd black and wOrstet
hood.
turned away, cut to the heart, bu
she put out detaining hand.
Don't 20, Mr.. Durand-that is, don
20 feeling hurt; for it would make IN
very unhappy if you were to go ava
angry with me. "
"Unhappy! What am | that a paii
to me should render you unhappy"
answered bitterly,
81 knew of no other way in which to eX
press my gratitude"
Gratitude for whatp" The qucstlO
was rudely abrupt, but she took no motto
of my ungracious speech.
Gratitude for the kindness given M
long ago, and which have missed eve
since the day we parted here by the road
side"
"Arc you conscious Of what 1t is 20
are saying Adelina?"
Perfectly"
"How am | to understand you
words?" -,
"That leave to your good Judgment,
she smiled, lowering her eyes.
She had an instant illustration of m
good Judgment" IN the way | imprisor
ed her two little hands in both of mine
and kissed the sweet mouth for its shyl
whispered promise.
| | walked home with Adelina-eh, S
happy! and when | asked her hand Of MI
Maxwell, he said: =,
81 have anticipated your request b
keeping you under my eye for more tina
two years. Adellna is the best and trues
girl in the world, but | believe you to b
as worthy of her as any man living, an
give her to you, confident that you kno'
how to prize the treasure you have won.
And 50, not long thereafter, ! marie
Adelina. the love of my boyhood, and tn
crowning glory Of my later years.
| Splitting Snake.