The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1880-11-13
THE BROKEN DOLLAR.

The queenly moon rode majesticall
through the unclouded heavens, an
flooded the Pequea valley with h mel
low rays. At Farmer Hoskins' gate stoo
Gerald Dean and Nellie Hoskins-he
white hand clasped in his bidding fare
well to one another, for on the moro,
Gerald departs for the land of the settin,
sun, like thousands who had gone befor
him to seek the golden fortune antici
pated by many and obtained by few
Gerald had come to the valley severa
years before and found employment witt
q neighboring farmer, Mr.. Bell. Ono,
the petted child of fortune he had rev
eled in its delights and experienced it
advantages. He had been educated a
the first institutions of the common
wealth, and was fitted for any sphere hi
inclinations might have chosen, had hi,
health been good. 1t generally so hap
pens that with the brightest minds il
coupled i'll health and vice versa.
Geraldis father met with series oi
losses by unfortunate ventures which sc
wrecked his physical constitution that il
few short months he died, leaving hi.
wife and Gerald In penurious condi
tion. Gerald at once procured lncra
tive position in the wholesale house of 6
friend, and managed by economy to sup
port himself and widowed mother. She
had been an invalid nearly all her life
and when the sudden reverse of fortune
swept from her the luxurious home and
kind, indulgent husband, her life joys
were gone, and in o short period, Gerald
was called upon to follow to the grave
Il g.. 4 l.
ing left alone in the world. an orphan
and without immediate relatives he was
obliged to seek, unaided, the common
living she owes us all. For o while he
continued in his occupation in the whole
sale house, and rapidly won promotion.
He was obliged to relinquish it, how.
ever, on account of his failing health,
and resort, according to his physician s
advice, to the pure, free air afforded by
the occupation of farmer. He did not
have an estate over which he could roam
at will, and work or play when he chose.
Therefore he sought employment in the
beautiful valley above mentioned with
farmer Bell, who, being kind and of a
good nature, assisted Gerald by employ
ing him and teaching him the simplest
rudiments of farmers occupation.
Gerald devoted himself to the work, and
in short time with renewed health be-
came practical hand. Unwilling to de-
sert the farm for city life, he remained
with Mr.. Bell.
About this time Nellie Hoskins re.
turned from boarding school whittier she
had been for four years, an accomplished
miss. She wss a sensible girl and had
oA lo1 sr.ka @ha o<4
found among the inmates of such insti-
tutions. Her fathers farm lying next to
Mr.. Bells, she often visited the latter's
daughter and consequently met Gerald,
who occupied the position of an equal in
farmer Bells family She very soon
discerned far more in Gerald than in
the average farm hand, and learning his
antecedent history, esteemed him for the
noble purpose that actuated him to carve
out for himself noble future.
Gerald was frequent visitor OF the
Hoskins farm and quite an intimacy
sprung up between himself and Nellie,
which unconscionsly and unerringly,
ripened into the deeper passion of love.
So the days rolled into weeks and the
weeks into months which soon formed
two years.
The brightest and happiest days of
their lives were fleeing away, the deep
winter shades giving place to the warm
rays of spring. Then it was that Gerald
determined to crown his happiness by
asking Nellie to share with him life's
joys and sorrows, whatever his future
fortune might have in store for him.
Need we say that Nellie answered him in
the affirmative, but like all her sex coyly
referred him to papa. Mr. Hoskins was
absent on business and did not return
for week. However, upon his return
Gerald sought an interview and made
known his errand.
'tWhat provision have you made for
the future? Do you think you would be
able to furnish Nellie with all the con-
veniences of life and not discemmode
her any by taking her from the home she
now possesses?" MIR. Hoskins said.
Mr.. Hoskins, / am not wealthy, .
said Gerald; II have small bank ac-
count and good health, a willing heart
and hands; with them l fear not the
future
There, my friend. I admire you for
your frankness, but by no means can /
trust my daughter to such precarious
circumstances. When you can produce
the evidence of q fair competence-one
that would place you beyond the day toll
of farm hand-you can address me for
her hand, provided she is of the same
mind, as now. Trusting you will be
successful, I extend you my best wishes,
and calling Nellie to entertain our
friend, Mr.. Hoskins betook himself to
his library.
Gerald in o few words acquaints Nellie
with her fathers decision and prepares
to take his departure. They pass out to
the verandah, thence to the gate, where
they inger few moments over theiI
farewell-Nellie thinking it was the
same as usual until Gerald at the last
moments tells her that on the morrow he
will leave for California to delve among
the gold fields for the sfair competence
which is SO necessasy to make two lives
happy.
Then, Gerald, if indeed you think
you can better your circumstances by
going you carry with you my earnest de
sires for your success. You can be as
sured that my love accompanies You as
well, and each missive from you treas
ured.'
"Thanks, dear Nell, your love shall be
the prize for which ] am to struggle
and when fortune smiles upon me in the
Occident, the goal of my ambition
reached, will return and claim you a'
my wife"
Nellie was unable to bear the sad
words of parting, and had it not beer
for the strong arms of Gerald, would
have sank tn the earth
With her shapely head resting on hi:
bosom-for the last time perhaps-te
him there seemed no fairer picture. As
they stood there in silence, the memory
of happy days foated before them, moi
dimly, but in bright relief, tinged by tht
mellow light of the pure love that had
lent its charm. 1t was as q beantifu
dream reaching its conclusion. Eael
was too full for utterance. At last ths
spell was broken, it seemed by that de
termination which was the character O
Gerald impulsive nature. STOPPING, ht
pressed passionate kiss upon her brow
and said:
"Nellle, before / depart take thi.
souvenir that you mGy possess something
upon which your anticipation of my re
turn may rest. It is the half of o broker
dollar, the counterpart Of which ] pos
sess, Let it be synonym of the cruel
cause of our separation the golden do
to which the world bows so afably anf
seorns the pobler passion of love. Ses
the edges If placed together 1T tperfectly
and SO unite the the piece, as it was be