The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-08-27

days, having been more CLOSELY engaged
than usual, when Mrs. Mallard, Nettie's
mother, sent me word that he was ill.,
1t WIS n bleak March day. II had
rained during the night Huge masses
Of dark clouds lay banked in the west,
their edges tiuged with light. The wind
, whistled mournfully asit rushed through
the trees, driving the rain drops in its
course and scattering shower of them
across my path as went.
found my friend in bed with high
fever and suffering with q cold that Gull
minated i'll pneumonia. Atfirst / visited
him often, but as he grew worse i'll re-
manned with him to the end.
Before he died, he said, Newton,
dear fellow, You have been very kind to
me. Indeed, your friendship has been
have tried to tell You my history. 1
knew You wished II. / saw il in your
eyes, but l could not. Oh, friend, life
has been II terrible thing to me-" Even
in his weakness u shiver swept through
his frame us he spoke. 81 only endure
it because God saw fit to leave me here,
and what are our sufferings compared to
those the Master felt?"
"lf Andrews gets your Telegram soon
enough, shall give him instructions to
tell you. If not, there is letter Of di-
rection in my desk. He can tell you.
! I'm tired now"
( After that he had little to say, and
when the end came he died like child
going to sleep, his head resting on my
breast, where / had lifted him up for
/ pr,Aatar casa I'm hraathinu
Andrews arrived after Fielding had
been dead some hours.
! had gone out to fight out my grief
and strive after a little composure. On
my return saw Andrews sitting beside
the dead, his face hidden in his hands.
1t was afternoon, Fielding having ex.
pired about IL o'clock. moved on tip.
toe with few jonquills in my hand, and
turning down the winding-sheets, /
placed them i'll the cold hands of my
poorfriend. Andrews arose and graspel
my hand without II word, and We both
looked down On the calm face of the
dead, low choking sob showing how
'"cply the sight aifectedthe new mourner.
Andrews remained for several days
after the funeral, arranging matters of
business. He was a silent partner III
Fielding's establishment, and in connec-
ton with myself was left executor OF
feelings will, as well as guardian Of the
property, all Of which he left to SettIe
Mallartl, his little friend.
The last day of Andrews stay, by his
request, we rambled in the woods.
creek where / had first met my departed
friend and his juvenile companion. We
sat down and III the quiet woods ouI
friend loved so well l listened TO his
story us it fell from the lips of An.
drews.
FIELDING's STORY.
"When first became acquainted with
joel Fielding was sixteen years of age
aud he was two years my junior. His
uncle, Mr.. Oakland, married my aunt.
At that time she was Il widow with one
little girl Of twelve years named Christie
North, and she remained al only child
and was very much spoiled. Joel and
became warm friends and lived with the
Oaklands until We went away to school.
Joel wis dependent on his uncle, his
parents having died when he was small
boy, leaving him, their only child, Il
legacy to his uncle, who loved him rs d
SON. When Joel was nineteen his unclt
died very suddenly. My aunt never
liked her husbands nephew. At that
time tins was mystery to me, for he was
always quick, reliable boy, silent and
fond of dreaming, but ever ready to
oblige or sacrifice a pleasure for the
Happiness of others. He was proud
too, and sensitive, and with such quick
sympathies that he seemed to know by
instinct who liked and disliked him ana
would not lead a life of dependence
He WIS very ingenious and, to my sur
prise, he found n place and learned d
watchmaker's trade. This carried hin
to q town at some distance from my
aunt's place of residence. ] continued
with my aunt, attending to her business
i'll connection with my own, for had al
ways owned competency. Occasion
ally Joel paid lis visit.
"You have seen something of Iii
fondness for children and their affection
for him. There was sort of mesmeri'
charm about his quiet kindness which
endeared him TO them, and Christi,
North was no exception to the gene "a
good feeling which all felt who cam,
within his influence. From the begin
ming of her acquaintance with him sh,
manifested the greatest partiality. Sh,
would climb OH his knee, Irvine her arm
around him, comb his hair, tease ant
pet him in every way and Away
thought him perfection. ! now kno,
that this was the cause of my aunt's dis
like for Joel. She could not endur
sharing the affection IF her only chIl,
with any one. As Christie grew olde
she became more reserved, but he
friendship for Joel continued the same
and his going to new home was grie
to her.
; "JOels habits were frugal, and ate
several years he prospered in busines
and owned some shares in the jeweler'
: stock. About this time there came
y0nng lady from distant city on visi
TO a relative who resided in the tow
where Joel lived. Miss Emily Remine
l ton was remarkable looking woman
l She was tall and of voluptuous form
Her complexion and hair were fair, nos
delicate, eyes a soft brown, with full red
r slightly pouting lips, and rich color
3 She was vain, agreeable and always con
spicuously dressed, one of those swet
creatures naturally attractive to our sex
i who, as a class, do not often discriminat
between the true and the false, and FIRE
: quently take glittering exterior for il
ward merit.
"Joel became perfectly infatuated. A
| that time he was not thin or stoOl
J shouldered, but slender, erect, wearin
a slight beard, and, with those splendi,
ewes of his. passed for handsome fe
3 low. In addition, he was considered
y safe, prosperous man and the best part
Q in all that region.
"He became acquainted with Mir
Remington, paid her marked attention
a addressed her, was accepted, and tn
wedding appointed ut no distant date
e was introduced to Miss Remington an
: was slightly smitten with her charms my
t self, but soon read her and saw tha
: her encouragement of Joel was only a
y an increase to her vanity. She care
y nothing for him, but received his cost
y gifts and all those attentions which col
i duced TO the enjoyment Of the moment
i with apparent delight. Joel's utter III
consciousness of her feelings was strange
l. i often essayed to warn him, but m
d efforts were vain.
d "The night arrived for the marriage
: was best man, and Joel and reache
Il our destination o few moments before Ill
q time appointed. The clergyman We
q there, and the guests sat inpatient
!. awaiting the entrance Of the bridal party
o who were to leave Oh the train for i ton
u soon after the ceremony.
i "Joel and were sitting in little r,