River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-09-08

eff bad not found it, should / be
your wife now? Who first led me to see
where my wealth could bring me the
blessings of the poor? Who pointed out
to me the secret charities that make
lonely hearts glad, and comfort proud
poverty without the weight of obliga-
ton? Who told me of students strug-
Cling to support widowed mother or
sister, or vainly trying to save the
means of getting an education? Whose
delicate, searching and anonymous let
tiers have sent relief to those tempted
to curse the world and die, yet too
proud to wear any but a smiling face
over a wretched heart? How proudly, |
say, my husband led me to such deeds
and taught me that wealth Is lent to
give an account of it at last, whether
wasted or blessing others"
"Ah Hattie, your sweet face first
, made me look back into my heart and
find there only wasted opportunities
and useless life. What wonder if |
turned from such sight to try and aid
you in your own loving schemes of
charity, only bringing a mans frequent
opportunities TO assist you in your
| work"
THE horses, sir !" said Il servant, and
Hattie sprang up from her seat beside
her husband to get her hat.
Another year and the crash of 1873
swept Hattie Du Rand's fortune away.
Her uncle came to tell the news, and
left her stunned sick with the pros
pect of poverty and, spite of herself,
shuddering at the thought of her hus-
bands dismay. All the weary day
passed and he came not. Had he left
her to bear her cross alone? Stung,
indignant at her own heart for such
| thought, it would recur as the evening
set in and he came not. Wearied with
waiting, sick with apprehension, she
threw herself on the sofa and sobbed
in bitterness and loneliness.
Hank The woll-known step on the
stairs; but not slow as of one di3ap-
| pointed, but springing and light.
"He does not know" she thoIght,
"and / must tell him."
| He came i'll with such bright face,
his cheeks glowing, his eye bright. his
| lips smiling, that she turned faint at
the thought that she must blast all his
joyousness.
Crying, Hattie?" he said, with his
face changing to a look of tender SYM
pathy.
"You are very late" she said, trying
to steady her voice.
ooh, you must get used to that. |
shall keep business hours now. OFF in
the morning-home for an hour at
lunch-and then off again till dinner"
"Have you heard?' she whispered.
Eyes. DO seem hard and unfeel-
ing, darling? Forgive me! But, Hattie,
dear, you shall not feel any privation
that my love shall keep from you. We
shall not be rich; many things must be
spared, yet, trust me, ! will work hard
before you shall suffer. OH | cannot
i cannot help it, Hattiel / am glad
glad Of this! You are mine. Now |
can prove to you, and to the world,
that your fortune was nothing TO mel
| have seen your uncle to-day, and
through his kindly exerted influence,
have secured the situation as book-keep-
| err in a wholesale grocery store"
"You-you, Edward, with your reiin-
ed tastes and luxurious habits?"
"Why Hattie, the salary is 81, 900
year. Think of earning that!"
ooh, Edward my own lovel" And
here the sobs came too thick for more
words. His own voice was husky MS he
said:
"But for you, Hattie, should be
now miserable lounger-a gambler,
perhaps, or worse. | feel that / am
man, with a true heart and willing
energy, and the turning point of my
life was your words, / trust you, Ed
ward You did trust me, and, God
willing, l will win the trust worthily."
Nobly he kept his word. The luxu-
rious home was sold, and in quiet
house they began life again humbly.
There is one child, a second Edward, to
knit his parents hearts in a yet closer
bond, and Hattie knows that between
her and poverty there stands true
heart, willing, strong man.
"For better for worse" they took
their path in life together, and the trust
of their betrothal will make their life
sunny, though sorrow may for time
shade their way.