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

the efforts for her rescue or from the fall.
l spread thick blanket over her, and
directed the servants TO make various
preparations for possible restoration, put
on my clothing and went for physician.
l did not expect to be absent very long,
but the doctor was not ut home, and /
was delayed. While seeking him else
where heard the scream of the locomo-
tive. All, how my heart bled for Joel! II
he should come what q fearful shock!
But then, the telegram I should send
would be ~ great.
"When started back withthe physi-
cian day was breaking, with the faintest
rosy light struggling with the moon
beams. The moon rose high like sill
ven shield, and few stars blinked
sleepily with fainting rays in the coming
dawn. We reached the house. walk
cd in, treading lightly. In the parlor
the candles gave out blue and sickly
rays, and in the faint glimmer there was
man crouched down beside the body.
II was Joel. He uttered not word, but
kept chatting the little cold hands in his
warm palms like one dazed.
"'Joel, come away, said.
"This will never do, Fielding said
the doctor. take him out, Andrews,
he whispered, 'and I'll do all lean, but
l fear there il no hope
almost lifted Joel up ana leo MIN
to my. own room. As we passed out
noticed ON the table IN open desk, with
a book also open upon it. 1t was diary,
and Joel, writing in it the night of his
departure, had in his haste leftlit there.
"POOr little Christie, 10 tender, 30
lOving-hOw we missed her soft ways
The coroner's inquest rendered b verdict
Of accidental death.
For many months Joel walked in q
vale of despair. On the page of the
journal which he had carelessly left open,
he had recorded, This night ID the an
niversary OF the greatest sorrow of my
life-the night Emily left me- He heard
the rushing train and was barely in time
to reach it. He had hidden adieu to his
wife and persuaded her to retire, and
while awaiting the train occupied his
time in writing. This SENTENCED weighed
on his conscience, and he thought it had
something to do with the awful tragedy.
Months run Oh with no mitigation of his
agony. He grew old, seldom spoke,
went on long walks, and l really feared
for his reason. ...Iir. N
can this while l was under the curse
of al oath whose tortures were terrible.
All remonstrance was vain to assuage my
trouble. Was I right to see my friend
suffer when possibly I could relieve him?
"I resolved to violate my vow. 1be-
lieve God would absolve me. ..-r-
81 sought Fielding quickly, fearing to
trust myself in delay. JOEL l said,
your journal had nothing to- do with
Christie's death. Her father was insane
and committed suicide in All asylum.
had many misgivings about Christie
You know her conduct was queer some
times, but I hoped this would be brief
and was owing to her situation. be-
ieve she knew all about Emily and cared
nothing for il. am convinced that her
act was the result of temporary demen-
tin, and she was irresponsible. For
Gods sake don't imagine yourself an
swerable for her death any longer! Pray
to God to help you, Joel; to lift your
burden, poor fellow. and He will; and
love You, S,el, and it is a sorrow to see
You so crushed ! could says rNmore.
why hu you uob UGH s~ul biliS
before, ohm /? he asked sadly, looking
ut me with searching gaze from his
pathetic eyes.
t"My aunt bound me by IN oath not
to reveal what she thought would ruin
Christie's prospects. After all these
months ofafhiction I came to think it my
duty to break my vow and tell you.'
"Thank you, John. I can never get
over it; but Two been very selfish to you.
I will strive to improve
"The place was so full of painful asso.
Citations that I persuaded Joel to let it.
He sold his interest in the jewelers. es-
tablishment and after q time located
here. You know the rest. Thank you
again. Newton, for your kindness to poor
Joel; he needed it. God rest him.
Don't forget his grave"
Ipromised and we parted. | often 60
to see Joel's "home," as little Nettie
terms ID, and always come away strength
ened to endure quietly my own trials, for
what are they in comparison with those
terrible sufferings he bore SO nobly?