The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-08-12

done. It took not long to decide. /
would go to work and earn money suffi-
Gent to bear my expenses. to South
America. Once out Of my native coun-
try, / would never again set foot in
land where I had known only sorrow
and disapp ointment.
! found no difficulty IN obtaining
work. But the vice Of intemperance
had SO strong hold on me that nearly
half my wages were squandered IN
drink. Thus another year passed before
I had saved money enough to take me
out of the country. S5 IL
At last, however, I was again prepared
TO leave Cheyenne. AS I stepped on
board the train that was to bear me
from the spot where had suffered SO
much, a heavy load seemed lifted from
my heart. I had not thought of visit
ing my boyhood's home. But now I
felt that / could not go away forever
without once more looking upon the
graves of my loved ones, without one
final view Of the scenes Z had loved SO
we'll. The village which [ yet called
home was situated near my line Of travel.
As I approached the home station my
desire to stop increased. And SO, when
the train halted at the we'll Remembered
depot, I stepped from the car, took the
stage, and in two hours was again in my
native town. / was greeted cordially,
and yet I felt there was change. Many
of the friends Of my youth had moved
away: others had died: and those who
were left had wives and families who
claimed all their love. Ny widowed
aunt alone gave me welcome that was
heartfelt and warm. Yes, there was one
other, my cousin, a beautiful girl whom
had not seen since she was q little
child. In her / found a friend, such as
never knew before. She was con-
versant with all the circumstances Of
my life, and sympathized with me as
none other had ever done. Uncon-
sciously my heart went out to her. and the
few days l had purposed staying length
ened into weeks, and still fingered, I'M
willing to tear myself away.
knew my cousin felt sincere friend,
ship for me, but further than that I
dared not hope. She was so young, so
beautiful, SO pure, it seemed to me i'm
possible she could ever look upon a
coarse, rough man like myself in any
more favorable light. Believing this, T
kept the true state Of my feelings a Sc
cret from her, and tried hard to smother
the affection that would not be put
down.
At last determined to go-to forgef
her if I could. So, at breakfast one
morning, I startled them by announcing
my intention of leaving them the follow
ing week. My aunt protested but I
listened in vain for any word Of remon-
STRANGE from the one who alone might
induce me to remain.
glanced across the table to where
my cousin sat. Her eyes met mine for
an instant-only an instant-and vet in
that brief time they told me more than
! had ever dared to hope. a few min
utes later I arose and followed her into
the sitting groom, scarcely less agitated
than she. Leading her to sofa. I sat
down beside her, and, still holding her
hand in,mine, i said 5sa III s..
Does not my little cousin wish mo
to remain %
sob, John, You know I do. Please
don't go Z.
And will you let me love you if l
stay?"
eyes"
So gently came her answer. and so
doomed the roses on her cheeks, that I
knew she understood me, and, with a
wild, rapturous thrill OF Joy, I clasped
her to my heart, and pressed kiss after
kiss upon her ,1nresisheg forehead.
Ny darling, my own precious dar-
ling and will you indeed be mine %
asked.
Then she gently Gsengaged herself
from my arms, and her beautiful brown
eyes filled with tears, as she replied:
'sJohn, gave you all my heart be-
fore you asked it, and yet / am afraid
to marry you. I would be miserable if
my husband should become a drunkard.
Your habit of drinking is no secret, and.
when I asked you to stop, you refused.
And now
And now, Maud I broke in, II
will stop. You asked me for my own
sake to abstain, and I refused. For
your sake, I will do anything. Come
with me into the library, and will
write and sign q pledge which you your
self shall witness. With your dear
name upon the paper, I know it never
will be broken
I led the way, and wrote as follows !:
July 10, 1876.
hereby pledge my word of honor to totally
abstain from all Intoxicating drinks, from this
day hence, forever. And solemnly premise to
keep this pledge inviolate whether the hopes Of
happiness, now so fondly cherished, be ever re-
allied or not. JOHN r. WILSON,
",Will you write your name beneath
mine ?" 1 asked.
She took the pen and wrote
MAUD RIVERS.
and now. my pet. viii you trust me?
VIII you give yourself to me without
reserve, and trust your happiness for
life to my keeping?"
For moment her eyes looked search
ingly into mine our lips met in a lin
gering kiss, and I was answered.
Reader, my story is finished. Three
years ago we we're married. Not cloud
has dimmed the bright heaven Of our
happiness, and, if ever a man might
venture to believe what he feels to be
true, then may I believe that no posi-
BILE crisis can ever tempt me to violate
the pledge that won my wife.
I had itsframed, and it now hangs in
my library, continual reminder of the
power Of love, for by love / fell, and by
love was saved again.
We hear of q man who has made q