Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-09-02

Dies 70 see how firm on their legs the,
might be. In the bay window was
large stand of beautiful thrifty plants O
which l resolved to carry of at leas
half. The two floors above were nea
and pleasant; but it was the secont
story back that wrung my heart. l
was the nursery. Toys and personal ar
ticles had of course been removed, bu
there was pretty little bed beside tn,
large one, and two cunning little rock
ing chairs. The windows looked out OF
pleasant garden and here was sitting
old Mrs. Wiggan, with whom had 1
little acquaintance.
"Such charming house," said l, iii
it not pity to break up this pretty nest
Do you know the familya3
"Poor Mrs. Graham She lived here
with her children 30 comfortably an6
happily, two or three dodgers on her up
per door, until few mouths ago she los,
every thing by the failure Of q banking
house. She had no relatives in the CITY
has struggled on, tried to get boarders
but TIE location was too remote; she sect
no way but to give 1T up, place her chill
dren with friends in the country, and try
to earn livelihood by painting. She 4
said to be an excellent artist, though ]
am no judge myself. These are all hel
own pictures, I believe. She is shut ur
In the back parlor; everything taken out
of it but chair. I saw her q few min.
utes ago. The tears were running down
her cheeks, but there she sat, bravely
stitching on her children's winter clothes
sewing on the last button, and mendlns
the last stocklng-poor thing. There
are the little innocents at play new in
the yard"
Mrs. Wiggan herself Though she had
an eye on the best chamber seD wiped
away good generous tear my eyes were
dim, and would gladly at that moment
have relinqulshed the best bargain in
sideboards. Ned, too, the dear old fel.
low, looked awfully sorry, as he gazed
meditatively out of the window where
the bright-eyed little girl and the boy
with far long curls were loading dirt in
to tiny cart with a miniature shovel.
From the floor above came the sharp
ring of the auctioneer's voice:
"How much, how much2 Six dollars
did you say sevens Six dollars, seven
gone at sevenr'
The auctiOEeer descended with his fol-
lowers into the front chamber. Before I
knew it Ned was there, and in his impet-
uous way was bidding in fashion that
astcnished the secondhand men. He
swept everything before him; Mrs. Wig
gan, to be sure, stood HIM a little on the
''set, and laughed to see her glare at
him, while he was SO absorbed that sew
erai punches OF my parasol had no effect
whatever. wondered to myself if there
was insanity in his family. By the time
we reached the parlor the secondhand
men had skunk away. the boarding house
keepers looked aghast. I made a brave
st'nd for the sideboard but it was of no
avail; and indeed the most of US sat right
down, leaving Ned and the auctioneer to
themselves. Every article from the eec-
ond floor down was purchased that
morning by the distinguished stranger.
This amusing turn of affairs rather
confirmed my hopes in regard to Ade.
laide; of course, thought I, he cannot rid
himself entirely of those old recollec-
uOns; but he knows very we'll the sterling
worth of Adelaide, and what charming,
intelligent, devout wife she will make.
ALI had gone but Ned, myself and the
auctioneer. The latter knocked at the
door of theIback parIor. "Come.in," said
voice, and the bury man swung the
door aside. The mother was making an
effort to rise, but the little fellow with
the talr curls was clinging so closely about
her neck that she could not readily free
herself. As she arose and came forward
we saw the traces of tears, the paleness
OF her face, the tremulousness Of her
whole form.
From Ned, who was standing Just be-
hind me, suddenly heard the words
my Goda is it possible7" and turning
saw him with face most indescribable in
expression. OF course there was no
doubt about his being out of his mind
too much auction had made him mad.
The auctioneer, after opening the door,
had been called suddenly away, and we
three now stood thers-those two gaz-
ing at each other, and at both.
"Edwin!'' at last said Mrs. Graham ;
edwin !" with q voice and q smile so
sweet and sad that did not wonder at
what followed.
Ned's ashen face suddenly flushed all
over. "Lottier' ne cried, stretching his
arms toward hef, "Lothe, my beloved,
have found you againp and he clssped
her to his heart.
The queerest termination to an auc-
ton! 1 have seen many in my capacity
OF housewife, but never one like this.
Mrs. Graham was the captains daugh.
ter, and the generous impulse of the
honest California had restored his old
sweetheart her home-yes, and the heart
of her faithful lover.
Mamma" said the little fellow shy
ly, ais this gentlemen the suctioneer, and
will he take away all our pretty thingsa"
"No, my darling," said Ned, lifting
the child far above his head, and then
bringing the round cheek to the level
with his own lips, 'all your pretty things
will remain, you, and mamma too"
"And you, toos" said BERTHE, cordially,
81 like you.''
And so these two, after years of separa.
tion, were brought together again. And
in such an odd manner, tool I cam I help
thinking how differently I should have
managed it, had been writing q story
instead of actinga part in real life.
should have found Mrs. Graham first, and
and sympathizingly won her bo tell me
the story of her troubles. Of course she
would have mentioned Ned, and oc course
| shoul0 have seen ata glance that she
loved hum still. And then should have
been the good angel to bring them to.
gether, and merit and receive their life.
long thanks, and instead of that, here was
Barney acting the part of the angel with.
out knowing it, and my one chance fol
q romsntic adventure spoiled forever
1t was shamefal--sbominable, aud then
nay plans for Adelaide and Ned, of course
it was clear they never could succeed now.
And yet felt delighted.
| went home leaving Ned at No. "a.