Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-27
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we'll.
The first letter received from Harry was
mailed at 81 Louis. They made the trip
IN less time than was expected. and had
enjoyed the travelling ever 50 much. They
expected to purchase their goods and take
a good look at the city before pursuing
their journey.
Well, Harry was faithful To- write, and
letters were received from different towns
along the way. Finally, there came one,
in cramped hand, saving they had at
last reached Texas, and had stopped in
the town of Nj. That he had met
with an accident. iniuring his ioretinger-
nothing very serious. But ii was awk-
wark writing. He was much pleased with
the country and his trip-thought il had
benefited him greatly. He WAS glad he
brought the goods along, they would keep
him employed, and he would not have 50
much time to think of home.
have neglected to tell You that the
boys were 10 be gone a year, and nj the
end of that time. and upon their return.
there would be Il wedding. John Will
liams was to wed Cora. lie was Of good
family. and Mr.. Colby had raised him.
and thought he knew him we'll. and would
have trusted him with every dollar he had,
50 great was his confidence 80 the day
which dragged so YEARLY and slowly to
Mrs. Colby. fairly flew To Cora, who was
very happily and buSily employed on her
wedding tinery. and also getting her
things sheets, pillow cases and such like.
you know, ready for keeping house.
The boys left in the fall, 50 the winter
passed away, spring came and went. and
the summer was almost gone. when one
evening about sunset. the we'll known po-
ME, Were seen coming up the lane. Bnt
there was only one man in the wagon,
thai they could see, and that was John
Williams. Almost breathcss with cN
element. Mrs. Colby ran out to meet him.
inqniring for Harry. Williams begged
her not to be- alarmed Harry was safe
had left him in Missouri; they had sold
oat their goods sooner than they had eX-
pccted, and had started home.
While coming through Missouri. they
passed through little town. where n herd
of cattle was being sold for IA mere song;
50 they. thinking it a good investment,
bought them, and, as one had to remain
with them, Harry had very generously of
tered to stay while he came on for Cora,
when they would relieve him in the spring.
Mrs. Colby did not appear very well
pleased over this. She thought Williams
might have stayed and let Harry come
home.
Well, in due time. Williams and Cora
were married, and took a long bridal tour.
There was no wedding given them. In
the meantime, Mrs. Colby had received
several letters from Harry. praising up
Missouri nightly; the grazing. where he
was, was so much superior t. that in Hi
nois, and there was bnt little mud; his
father always hated the mud so, Finally.
he wound up by proposing that his father
should sell out and move out in the latter
part of winter or in the early part of the
next spring, saying he did moi know bun
what he would buy some land and remain
there permanently.
While Williams and his fair Young bride
were ON their tour. there We're no letters
from Harry, and Mrs. Colby was getting
very anxious indeed, when they returned,
and. shortly after, John received letter
saying that he, Harry, had not heard from
home for some time. Harry always wrote
in cramped hand sometimes they could
not make out near all the words
Cora and Williams joined their entrea-
ties to the urgent appeals that appeared in
every letter Harry wrote, So that Mr.. Col
by finally began to talk of going. Ills
wife did not want to 90 they We're too old
she said, to be transplanted they had
made them home for their old age. and
there was no use in leaving it. But Will
liams represented Missouri as being a
much older country than this. and that
they could buy them nice farm already
improved, and they would be with their
children. Harry was too delicate for the
changeable climate of Illinois. And so
they kept ON until the old lady gave up to
go, the main reason being the hope of see
ING Harry sooner by moving ont Oh, sir.
no mortal knows what that poor mother
suffered in the separation from her only
son.
So. directly after Christmas, the farm
was advertised for sale, with all of its
stock, household aud kitchen furniture.
10 come off the sixteenth of FEBRUARY. We
were all sorry to have them 90. and felt
that il was very foolish trip for old pco-
pie like them.
Mr.. Colby had five thousand dollars in
Inc bank, which he often talked of a his
wife's portion; she should not be bothered
with farms, he said, after he was cone.
but could live on the interest of her money
he would Just leave it in the bank: i
was a. safe there As anywhere. BY the
way. Cora, who always confided every
hing to her mother, told her. that John
tcted very strangely in his sleep would
start up in bed and mutter and talk and
me night he said.
oh, Harry if could only bring You
back -
Next morning, when told of it, he said
he was uneasy about the cattle. But
somehow, this made an impression upon
Mrs. Colby; she was fearful, and She could
give no reason for that feeling Harry,
letters came regularly. and she would
often chide herself for being 80 troubled
and gloomy but she could not throw of
he unhappy feeling. 50 She FASTENED the
preparations She was anAiou. ia be ON the
road; although the weather wa cold: the
sooner they started, the quicker they would
De with their boy.
One day just three DAY. before the sale.
Mr. Colby stepped into the bank to deposit
'ome money, when the cashier said
Il thought You always intended to let
hat five thousand remain with IT,.
IL