Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-01-02
THROUGH FLOOD AND FIRE.

That stirred its troubled waters. It is well
That winter with the dying year should come
N. p. Willis.
THROUGH FLOOD AND FIRE.
II assure you, my dear boy, am ex-
tremelv sorrv to appes- :>k;ad in this
matter, kut, belive me, am acting to1
the best.''
but surely I may see Rosie as usual7''
] asked.
~ am afraid not" replied Mr.. Temple.
ut would DO very injudicious. You are
both too young and too romantic at pres
cnt. Besides, your means are utterly in
adequate maintain wife,"
INLAY not BIZ Rosie good bye, then2'
persisted. Zone more meeting cannot
hurt either of u.s."
"Rosie is not at home." replied her IA
Their, gently, almost alphabetically, as
he shook me by the hand. "She went to
stay with some friends yesterday. Good
night; and hope FOX better days."
"Good>night," replied. II suppose
you don't mean to be unkind, Mr.. Tenn.
pie; but you have made me very miser-
able"
"My dear young FRIEND" he replied
putting his hand on nay shoulder, "werc
you in position to MAINTAIN wife, I
would sanction your engagemtn mt in time;
but now such course, though painful for
US all, Is the only one Mrs. Temple and
can with justice adopt. We shall be
pleased to see you again after our return
from the continent. Goodnight"
made no reply-indecd, could not
have spoken just then. My throat was
choked with tears, and big drops
welled slowly from my eyes as walked
across the open space facing the house.
This was to be the termination of our en-
gagement, thenl
Rosie Temple and had flattcred our
selves that series Of dances, picnics, and
chara1e- parties, with very good knowl-
edge of lawn-tennis and croquet, consti-
tuted housekeeping. We had only G300
year between US, and dear Rose always
spent e40 at least On her dress annually.
She had lately been very economical in
the matters of gloves, and had made her.
self bonnet which was in every sense
becoming. Still, we were not much near
er TO matrimony then; and now
So I pursued my way across the com,
mon, and do not mind confessing that
/ shed tears as l walked in that dark
evening beneath" the trees and into the
gloomy and desolate highway, caring for
nothing and for nobody except Rosie
my pretty, piquant Rosie-wondering
whittier she had gone, or had she really
gone. Was it not pardonable subter-
tuge CT the part of Mr.. Temple to induce
me to leave the neighborhood3
At that time had, unfortunately, no
occupation. ! had been a clerk in q
barking house, but the ''bad times" had
lecessitated reduction in the "staff,'
and was one OF those sent away at q
months notice aud months salary
TrCe, had small income derivable
from legacy, but this was scarcely
enough to keep me in bread and cheese
and clothing.
1t will therefore be seen that Mr. TEN.
pie was quite right. Matrimony was a
luxury l could not afford. l acknowl-
edged it even then as went home de.
spending.
When I reached my lodgings I found
two letters awaiting me. One was from
my brother, who was commanding de-
tachment of his regiment in Irland, the
other from my fathers late solicitor.
opened the 'offcial' note first.
1t contained only few lines, reqr est
ing me to call On him in London in {
day or two, as perhaps might be able
to do some work for the good-natured
lawyer.
The other letter was most cheerful
and bore warm invitation to share my
brothers country quarters for fort
night, ''or longer if liked" next month
Before l went to bed replied to bo,t
my kind correspondents, accepting both
invitations.
Next day went to London, and iE
the afternoon called upon the solicitor
nervouslv.
His business was simple. Did I know
French9 l did. Was l acquainted with
bookkeeping2 I was.
"Well, then" said be. twill you go tt
Geneva, and transact this business, partic
ulars of which will give you to- morrow
You shall be paid as my clerk, and have
your expenses and something BESIDES
agreed" I said, gladly;"I will go
When am to set QUIZ"
"As soon as you can get ready. If you
do this we'll think can help you It
something BETTER"
I wrung his hand and left him, took tn,
first train home, packed up, and mex
morning at eleven o'clock was at his of
flee in London again. I wrote to m,
brother, telling him the facts, mastered MI
instructions, and next morning was il
Paris.
found the business at Geneva mucl
more complicated than I expected.
was liquidation case. Day after da7
passed; days ran into weeks; and at last
after six weeks hard work and a run t,
Chamouni, l was on my way home again
"Well done!' was the verdict passet
upon my efforts, and it was very welcome
accompanied as it was with check 70
fifty guineas.
"Call on me when I return to town,
said my friend, in about live weeks time
and ! will tell you something think 20,
will be glad to hear"
My thoue hts Immediately few to Rosie
Not that had BY any means forgotten
her; but now was idle again felt NOR
detected than ever. Liquidation case
are not romantic!
/ was now at liberty to join my broth
er. And telegraphed at once, and a
eleven o'clock that evening I was knock
ed up to take in the reply.
TWAS short and to the point. It raj
thus: "Come along. old fellow; stay q
:, long as you like"
Invent. ! lived with the detachment
and what fun we hadl Fishing in fin
river close by; cricket; little shooting
for September was upon US now; row;n
up and down the stream; and dining wit
the hospitable Irish residents, made u
tho total of our days after parade or in
spection. %
One guest night for we had our littl
social parties occasionally--we were 81,
ting at the open windows, when the sut
Of the party exclaimed:
''Whst glare there ia yonderi Ita