The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1883-07-18

these days be dust. l wonder how long
will the time be. There is a spot where
the grass doubtless grows, that will one
day be opened to receive my body-my
body that is now alive. The man is
probably now living who will part the
grass and dig my grave. There are peb-
bles under the sod-pebbles there now
that are waiting to be disturbed by the
spade that lifts the clay from my grave.
l don't see how l can die. l see how
easy, how necessary it is for others to
die, but when it comes to me, l cannot
see the use l wonder if am actually
compelled to die. Wonder if there won't
be an exception To this great rule. I
believe that death was intended for
others, but that l cannot de- Then l
mused upon the evidence l had of inl-
mortality. l could do things that others
could not accomplish. I had gone
through battle after battle, and though
bullets sang and struck around me thick
as hail, yet remained uninjured. 1had
passed through epidemics of yellow fever.
People all around me were stricken as if
by an avenging hand, yet l passed
through the terrible scenes, coming out,
it seemed, all the healthier for my ex-
perience. My idea gained strength as l
unused, and I was convinced that Ishould
live forever. It all seemed 60 plain that
l thought of telling my wife, but then
thought how bad it must make her feel
to know that she must soon pass away.
1.-THE next morning while ! walked in
the garden, the sun came out in cloudless
splendor, and l again fell to musing. I
am mere worm,' Thought. This great
sun is immortal; not I. But may be
the sun. Perhaps it is part Of me.
feel its warmth, and no matter how fast
run or which way turn, it follows me.
No, this cannot be, for it follows all men
alike. Yes, am to die like other men,
and believe that 1t is my duty to make
the most of life; 10 make money and
enjoy myself and to educate my chill
dren.' A great load of oppressive con-
Germ seemed to be lifted from my mind.
wanted to be rich, and ! began to study
over an imaginary list of enterprises. At
last hit upon radishes. They should be
in every store. They could be dried and
sold in winter. would plant fifty acres
with radish seed, and people all over the
country would refer to me as the radish
king would form a radish syndicate,
and buy up all the radishes, and travel
around and be admired. fastened to
the house to tell my wife that she was
soon to be q radish queen. At the
breakfast table said:
"'Julia, how would you like to be
radish queen?
"'A what?' he exclaimed.
II explained my plan of acquiring great
wealth, and during the recital she acted
go curiously that was alarmed. feared
that she was losing her mind, Finally
she seemed to understand. She agreed
with me, but told me not to say any
more about it. After breakfast I saw her
talking earnestly with her father, and I
knew that she was explaining to the old
gentleman how she intended to pay his
debts when l became known as the
radish king. The old man approached
me, with much concern, and told me that
needed rest, and that must not think
Of business. He was old and sadly wor-
ried, and promised him that l would
not think of business. Pretty soon l
went out to inspect my radish kingdom.
Looking around saw the old man fol-
lowing me. 1 humored his whim by
paying no attention to him. From the
field went to the village. approached
a prominent citizen, who had always
been my friend, and told him how 1
intended to become rich. He seemed
grieved, and saw at once that he was
contemplating the same enterprise. 1t
seemed mean that he should take ad-
vantage of me, and l told him so. He
tried to explain, but he made me so mad
that would have struck him if my
father.in-law hadn't come up and sep
arated us. I tried to calm myself, but
could not. Those who had been my
friends proved to be my enemies, and !
was determined to be avenged, but be-
fore could execute my will, was seized
by several men. My father-in-law did
not attempt to rescue me, and I hated
him. was taken to Jail. My wife came
to see me, but she did not try to have
me released. demanded trial, but NO
lawyer would defend me. Then re-
allied that the entire community was
against me. became so mad that my
anger seemed to hang over me like q
dark cloud. It pressed me to the floor
and held me there. Men came, after a
long time, and took me away, l thought
to the penitentiary. One day a cat came
into my cell, and tried to bite it. She
made the hair fly, but 1 killed her. ]
don't know how long remained here
but one morning the sun rose and shone
in at me through the window. 1t seemed
to be the first time that l had seen the
great luminary for months. A mist
cleared from before my eyes. My brain
began to work, and suddenly began to
realize that had been insane. called
the keeper, and when he saw me, he
exclaimed, Thank God" and grasped
mp hand. I was not long in putting on
another suit of clothes, and turning my
face toward home. Aphysician said that
was cured. and everybody seemed
bright and happy at my recovery.
boarded train, with gentleman, and
went home. My wife tainted when she
saw me and learned that had recovered
my mind. l asked for my little children
and two big boys and young lady came
forward aud greeted me. l had been in
the asylum twelve years.
Plantation Philosophy.