Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-12-05
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na0 seCCleO 00Wn iof Soou anu dit d1 my
dear old-fashioned home, Sunnyside.
At that time I do not believe there eX-
listed a happier man in the United King
dom than myself. I possessed nice
snug little property, with no inconsider-
able rent-roll; and the estate was not in
ireland, where "Rory of the Hills"
might have made me feel not quite so
secure in the possession of the broad
acres of my ancestors. | had only just
married, after courtship IN which,
contrary to the usual experience, the
course of love ran quite smoothly. Be-
sides all these blessings. I rejoiced in
good health and spirits. What more
could man desire to make life happy?
Although l was thankful that my
property was not in Ireland. still had
no dislike to the Emerald Isle, as some
of the happiest days of my life had been
spent there. For was it not when [ was
quartered with my regiment at the Cur
ragh that met my darling Nellie in
Kildare? On seeing her, l gave up the
brilliant career of soldier, taken pris-
oner by her soft dark eyes; and, though
it cost me pang to leave my old regi-
ment and all my friends, still l felt that
there could not be happier or more
contented man than myself.
There could not be !" 1 repeated,
looking down into my wife's sweet face,
as we sat side by side beneath spread
ing lime-tree in the cool calm and quiet
of glorious summer evening, listening
to the birds singing.
Even as these thoughts passed
through my mind, boy crossed the
lawn and placed a telegram in my hand,
the sight of which filled me with mis-
givings. Taking the missive in my
hand, turned it over and looked at
the handwriting on the envelope, as
though l could make out something in
that way.
"open it, Frank" suggested Nellie,
and l accordingly did SO.
1t was from my brothers wife, and
ran as follows
"John has met with a bad accident.
Do come at once if you can."
Immediately ran over in my mind
the trains that passed our little out-of-
the-way place. There were only two
Then | would 60 by the $50 express
the next morning. This would be the
first time since our marriage that | had
left Nellie even for day; and she cried
at the thought of it. My preparations
were soon made.
Seven o'clock the next morning found
US at breakfast, Nellie herself making
the coffee and boiling the eggs, and
making much of me as she ministered
to my wants. looked at my watch.
NEARLY eight, Nellie. l must be off
if l want to catch the train"
"Write soon, Frank; | shall miss you
dreadfully. Write the very minute you
arrive"
"Yes, darling. Good-by, and take
care of yourself"
The railway-line ran almost through
Sunnyside, but the station was mile
off. 1t was rather provoking to be SO
near and yet so far. We exchanged
last kiss; and then I hurried away,
turning every now and then to wave my
hand to the slight girlish figure on the
bridge.
reached the station ten minutes too
early. | might easily have stayed long
er with Nellie. So | got my ticket and
walked up and down, wishing the train
would come. Morley was dreary lit
tie country station with nothing to look
at, and not even newspaper to be pro-
cured. Seeing hamper done up in
straw and bast-matting. | walked up to
it and read the direction. | was a little
startled to see that it was addressed to
myself, till | remembered that it must
be the hamper of plants 1 had ordered
down for Nellie; so, calling porter, l
bade him take it down to Sunnyside at
once, thinking it would amuse her to be
arranging them in the conservatory DUR
ing my absence.
When the express came in, l got into
a carriage, the only other occupant of
which was gentleman. young man,
with very sunburnt face and dark
eyes. | Immediately stationed myself
at the window. with my handkerchief in
readiness to wave to Nellie. Very soon
we came within sight of the river. and
yes, there she was, standing on the
little rustic plank that ran across, wav-
ing her hand and smiling, with her mus
lin and ribbons futtering in the breeze
81 wish she would not stand on that
rickety plank" said to myself; and,
even as the thought rose to my mind,
she moved, started, lost her balance,
and, with one wild effort to save her.
self, fell with splash into the river,
and | saw the water close over her.
With wild cry | sprang up apd at
tempted to throw myself out of the win
dow; for-oh, Heaven there was my