West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-10-25
IFrom OUR SECOND CRNrURy.l
A BROKEN HEART.
A TRUE STORY.

/ can never forget the first time saw
Caleb GrcCnOugh-wc were then fellow
students at Harvard we became chums
after "A short acquaintance, and our mutual
intercourse was the foundation of friend
ship 50 strong and disntercstcd IA can
only exist between two men whose minds
naturally flow in the same channels of
thought and cultivation.
Caleb was the only son of an American
gentleman whose name and repute were IA
well If not better known in Europe than at
home. His father was wealthy, enormous
ly 50 when we first met, but in the course
of our college career, when his whole soul
and energy was devoted to but one object
law and history, revcrscs came; his father
lost his fortune and Caleb was thrown on
his own resources. Our worthy President,
knowing the circumstances offered to allow
my friend TO finish his course, and pay back
To Alma Mater the money advanced, as soon
and whenever hc was able. 1t was hard
struggle to decide which course to pursue,
accept kind President Fcllon's offer or go
into the world and fight for himself alone
and unaidcd; but, after few days CON
sideration, my old friend called on the
President, thanked him for his kindness
but refused the same.
! %
Frank. genial and open-hcartcd, he left us
and many "A regret we felt as we badc a sad
farewell to our old companion and class
mate
Shortly after leaving college business
called him To Paris, and we heard, at the
same time, of his success and engagement
to one OF our American bellies
Last summer, after n lapse Of twenty
years, we met again at ChamOuniX-but
my friend was hardly to be recognized.
Though but forty his hair was white, his
form was more that belonging to n man of
advanced years than TO one IN the prime Of
life, his eye alone retained its youthful
glance-yet had an expression so kind and
yet SO sad that the stranger at once became
interested, watching long that face, which,
though not handsome was fascinating to
the last degree.
We sat long after midnight in the balmy
ar on the hotel piazza, the rays of the full
moon shining over the valley, talking ear
nestly of our old college days Many in
qJiries Caleb made after old friends, and
~ now and then lac would ask for some
particular one, would inform him that ne
had already joined the long list OF those
that were no more. | asked him about
himself, how the world had treated him.
but was unable to obtain any information,
and noticing that my inquiries troubled or
panied him, turned the subject, and spoke
of my proposed trip among the Alps
'Those mountains arc old friends OF
mine, said Caleb; there is not a nook or
corner have not visited, not a peak save
Mt Il sa or the MatterhOrn / have not as
cended, and in the month we are together
! will take you TO the points OF most iD-
tcrest.'
So we journeycd together, sometimes on
foot, sometimes on mules, enjoying the
braciug mir, the wild and superb scenery,
till at last we reached lntcrlakcn-the most
beautiful of all Swiss villages. We stopped
at the Victoria, and Caleb not feeling well
i took a room opening into his. Daily We
proposed starting, but daily my old friend
became weaker, and tO me il was evident
that he was not long for this world His
disease no doctor could fathOm, and as they
felt his pulse which had now become feeble
they prcsCrbcd.mCdCnc after medicine. nll
Of which ! regularly bought, but none OF
which Caleb would take
"lhcir science il Of no avail to me.
Frank, Inc would say with "a sweet smile
81 feel that my days are numbered and
before long | shall be no more"
'1t is there am sick" he one day add.
ed, touching bis heart with his now weak
hand 'thcre." tried TO encourage -tC
cheer him up, but to no avail be would
only smile softly and tcndcrly upon me %.
II TO say "Why encourage = man when you
know it is too late
August was drawing 20 It's close. my
friend was lying by the open window, thC
sun and warm air apparently cheering hin
as hc gazcd with longing eyes ON The gay
and happy promcnadcrs; Of n sudden hC
gave a start low painful cry which
brought me TO bis bedside He was sitting
upright, his eyes fixed on two ladies in Oh,
in the garden below. "Frank hc said
falling back exhausted, Frank, follow
those ladies and find out who they are
where they arc staying, and then he close,
lis eyes.
Feeling convinced that I'm some unac
countabe way my friends past life, whicl
hc seemed go l0ath To- talk about, was con
ncctcd with thc ladies referred to, usho,
out boz quest of the information and 500.
ascertaincl them To- bo a Mrs. and Mis-
McClemont of Baltimore. Caleb trcm
bled all over as ] told him the names, hi
frame shook like tree when swsyed by