Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-06-24
"WARD OR WIFE"
ABRIDGED.

The following conversation and meet
ing took place in French restaurant.
Col. Ferrers and his wife seated at
one table seemed much interested in a
couple seated at another table not far
from them.
Suddenly the colonel exclaimed, "Gad !!
that's it. remember now. That's the
man-Jim Tregarvan-younger son of
Sir Hugo. Honorable, generous old Jim !
Hope his villlanous brother, heir to the
title and estate, will break his neck some
day, as his treatment of Jim is con-
temptible."
The colonel rises and goes over to the
table. "Jim Tregarvan, my old boy, you
don't forget me, do you9 BERTHE Ferrers
of the old musketeers?" Jim gets up, and
SMOKES paw heartily.
"Allow me to introduce my ward, Min
ME. Col. Ferrers- Miss Goring."
And they return in procession to Mrs
Ferrers, and after a pleasant chat they
go to their different abodes engaging to
meet again.
"Well, MIN, how about the Ferrers?'
"Oh, well enough, but l don't want
anybody but you, JIM"
After they reach home and he bids
Min goodnight, he sits down on Doz
to read letter received in the morning
1t contained the startling news that his
aunt Anne Tregarvan, spinster, had left
him $4,000 pounds and an antique gold
snuff-box set in diamonds.
"Well, l am bIowed!" observed the
fencing master, and then he goes off to
cliffs, where he smokes like a chimney
for some hours.
Jim had many faults, but his faults
had never degenerated into vices. An
easy going character, and too facile good
nature had drawn him into the abyss. Il
was in his relations with Minnie that the
higher places of his nature chiefly assert.
ed themselves. Few men would have
accepted such trust, and still fewer
would have had the chivalry to fulfill II
as he did. He continues smoking anc
many thoughts rushed Though his busy
brain.
Gam SO selfish" he continues to him
self, s'as to put my comfort, and God on
ly knows what happens, before her inter
estsa" and then, with black trown, e
am not so old but I might be older
Minnie Is little beauty, will be splen
did woman. Car I bear even in fame,
to hear her name slandered2"
Jim walks up and down, Tuning much
"Whar the deuM shall I do9 And the
aloud, "God confound all scandal-mon
gersr' After hard battle with himself
he decides that if Mrs. Ferrers will tax
his little Min, she must have her. Hi
lips culver under the heavy mustacht
and he leans his head IN his hands. Thu
Jumping up: "Min and / must say GOOD
bye, and that's a fact, and I'll make owe
the coin to her." The next day toun
him making morning call on Mr.
Ferrers.
"You have no children, believe, Mr.
Ferrers?'
Fl "No," with sigh, "none."
II minnie has lived with me the last tie
years. I was about twenty-five when IN
| affairs came to climax; had been
the regiment ever since eighteen and {
; my allowance was small when came il
to possession of my share of my mother
. estate it took all to pay my debts. Wei
my father helped me bit, but he die
and my brother turned out close-fiste,
! sniveling hypocrite. I sold out and mac
, | a bolt over here. wandered for yei
t on the continent and met an old frieu
} Jack GoriDg, son of the rich Viscoui
ALBANIA philanthropist, who cut him 9
: for marrying Catholic. She was wonde
: fully beautiful, and they were happy,bl
r had nothing but Jacks pay to live O
l One day the captain said something il
| sultlng about Mrs. Goring, and Jack sh'
r him on the spot, and then had to run f
it, and by great luck got safe to Pari
. Then came struggle to keep alive. I'll
r poor little woman could not stand
3 We buried her at Pere la Chaise. E
r caught fever and before he died viii
9 pcred, "Take care of her, Jim. She hi
!, never left me since. saw this fencin
/ place advertised, and took it on chan,
/ ofsuccess. Min has come in for legae
d which will give her $3.50 year. I'll
t grand daughter of Lord ALBANIA shoul
= move in good society. Will you and Il
9 colonel, z turning to him, who had ia
It entered, stake charge of her and intr
Q duce her into society,""
- sIfshe goes into society she shall