The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-11-19
THE BROKEN DOLLAR.

THE BROKEN DOLLAR.
The queenly moon rode majestically
through the unclouded heavens, and
flooded the Pequea valley with h mel
low rays At Farmer Hoskins' gate stood
Gerald Dean and Nellie Hoskins-hel
white hand clasped in his-bidding fare.
we'll to one another, for on the morrow
Gerald departs for the land of the setting
sun, like thousands who had gone before
him to seek the golden fortune antici.
pated by many and obtained by few.
Gerald had come to the valley several
years before and found employment with
a neighbering farmer, Mr.. Bell. Once
the petted child of fortune he had rev.
eled in its delights and experienced its
advantages. He had been educated at
the first institutions of the common
| wealth, and was fitted for any sphere his
inclinations might have chosen, had his
health been good. It generally SO hap
pens that with the brightest minds is
| coupled i'll health and vice versa.
1 Gerald's father met with series of
losses by unfortunate ventures which SO
wrecked his physical constitution that in
a few short months he died, leaving his
wife and Gerald in penurious condi-
tion. Gerald at once procured lncra-
| tive position in the wholesale house of a
| 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 short period, Gerald
was called upon to follow to the grave
| ''his dearest friend on earth" Thus be-
| 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 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 physicians 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 a 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 sensible girl and had
not been led into the vanities SO often
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 o frequent visitor OF the
Hoskins farm and quite an intimacy
sprung up between himself and Nellie,
which unconsciously 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 aXRy, the deep
winter shades giving placeto the warm
rays of spring. Then it was that Gerald
determined to crown his happiness by
asking Nellie to share with him ife'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.. Hosklns was
absent on business and did not return
for week. However, upon his return
~ 4 4 L. IL
known his errand.
"What provision have you made for
the future? Do you think you would be
able to furnish Nellie with all the con-
yeniences of life and not discemmOde
her any by taking her from the home she
now possesses? 2" MIR. Hoskins said.
"Mr. Hoskins, am not wealthy,
said Gerald; 81 have a small bank ac-
count and good health, willing heart
and hands; with them fear not the
future"
tsThere, my friend, admire you for
your frankness, but by no means can
trust my daughter to such precarious
circumstances. When you can produce
the evidence of fair competence-one
that would place you beyond the day toll
of a 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 a 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 linger few moments over their
E. Ill 1nL 10