The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-09-12
FOR TWENTY YEARS.


see, it was more than twenty years ago
that my twin brother and sold out our
homestead in New York and went to
California to seek our fortunes All the
rest of the family were dead, and we
. were the more attached to each other
for that.
Well, we tried mining, and we tried
everything that we could think of; but
nothing seemed to prosper with US; we
only grew poorer and poorer. Finally,
we thought of the idea of separating,
SO as to work two fields at once, before
the last of our capital was gone. There
was great talk just then about some
new gold region, and we agreed that
one of us should go there and try his
luck, while the other remained in San
Francisco and carried on little bust
ness we had started.
OF course everything was in partner
ship. 1 never thought of an interest
separate from his, and he, know, felt
the same. Well, the question arose
which of US should go. 1t wasn't very
tempting, the mining life, and neither
of us was anxious for it, and so we drew
lots to see which of us should go. The
lot fell on me.
There was another reason why /
didn't want to 60 beside the uncomfort-
able life. but l would not tell Rob, for
l could not drive him off to the mines,
and l knew his generous heart so well
that | was sure he would insist on go
ing if he knew all. But-well, the truth
is. in a word, l was in love and I
couldn't bear to leave my dainty Susy
to fight the world alone-she was q
Observation-Disclosures for other fellows to
fall in love with.
However, of course / submitted to lot
and made my preparations to go. 1t
was sad heart that | bore around to
Susy's rooms that night, and | could
not bear to tell her; but, bless youi she
no sooner saw my face than she knew
something was coming, and she braced
herself up to meet it before she asked
ME question. After We had spoken of
her the day before, she said quietly
'.Well. Ralph, what is it? know you
have bad news for me-"
Its bad for me, Susy," I answered,
sand am afraid it will be bad for you,
too; though of course you know"
I couidn'tgo on. and she spoke again,
brave as she always was.
Ralph, you know I'm used to mis-
fortune. Tell me at once"
So | told her, and she bore it nobly,
as / knew she would-though was the
only friend she had in San Francisco.
except her pupils. But had thought
of another plan to make my going
little easier. That was to make her nv
wife before | felt, so as to leave her In
the care of Rob, and relieve her from
her hard life.
After some persuasion she consented
to it So a day or two afterward, We
three-I had told Rob-went into a
quiet church, and she was given me to
cherish and protect until death.
Brave little woman! How trustingly
she gave me her heart, and how basely
| failed heri How ready / was to be-
lieve- But let me go back. l took her
to our coy boarding-place, which was
indeed home to us, installed her as its
mistress, made every provision that love
could suggest for her comfort, enjoyed
the bliss of few hours honeymoon,
and then left her.
| needn't speak of that. / was hard,
/ tell you. All, well! Pm an old man
now-older by sorrows than by years;
but never shall forget the fresh. dainty
look of my darling as l left her on the
steps that bitter day-a bride in the
morning, a widow at night. And did
not forget it through all the black years,
though it seemed as if the memory of it
would drive me mad
Well, l went to the mines, and tried
faithfully, eagerly, for my heart was
longing to go back to her But could
not succeed.
Mails were not then established. so
did not hear from my two dear ones,
but all the harder l toiled, for never a
thought of doubt entered my mind. l
was only too glad to have brother to
care for her. and save my darling from
all rough contact with the world.
Findingno luck in the mines, deter
mined to push ON to the Indian country,
and try little hunting and trapping =
for there was good business then. sue
ceeded little better at that; but wan
dered on, and finally came out at Frazer
River, where the fever of the gold ex-
element had just broken out most
fercely.
don't know whether it was months
or years-days and weeks were alike to
me for q long time-but at last was
successful and got together five thou
sand dollars in yellow dust. OF course,
my only thought was Of my wife, and /
seized the first opportunity to send off
the treasure.
A miner at home willingly took
charge of my little pile, and / soon be-
gan to look for letters. Rob's | could
-. Ii n