Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-05-12
MY FRIEND FITZGERALD.

tt!'t,
MY FRIEND FITZGERALD.
lam a little fellow with insignificant
shoulders and legs not worth consider
inc. I have no talent, and no distin-
c,liisbcd ecccntricity. My manner, what
there is of it, is timid and awkward.
know that mankind as. a species does
not regard me at all, and that only
mercenary motives restrain my tailor
from expressing his contempt for me.
There is nothing more to say about
myself, except that 1 have no magma
ton, which may serve to substantiate
the facts | am about to narrate.
Ny friend Fitzgerald was my anti
podes. He was tall and strong and
winning. His name hetrays nationality,
and his nationality furnishes the key
note to a happy, f%un-loving nature.
For six years, at school and at col
legc. VIZ were close companions, and
then for four years we were separated.
being by lucky accident rich, Travelled
for Improvement and amusement; Fitz-
gerald worked for hi. living. He chose
10 be an engineer say chose, for
whatever he had set his mind to do he
would do brilliantly.
When l had got round the world back
to my point of departure, I found Fitz-
gerald about setting out for the north
west of Canada, where he was to con-
duct q Government survey. He ex-
pecled to be absent at least two years.
Since coming home had meant little
more than coming back to him, this
plan Of his filled me with disappoint-
nent. When he suggested that 1 should
accompany the expedition l agreed JOY
fully. The day before that fixed for our
departure he came to my rooms, look
Mg nervous and excited. Fcigning not
to notice his perturbation, l began run
ming over Il memorandum of things to
be done. He interrupted me sharply.
'.Look here, Jack, l want you to 20
out with me at three o'clock this after
noon TO-" mentioning a small town
some twenty miles distant. ave will
get there at four, leave again at five
thirty, and reach home in time for din
ner."
My time being precious, l objected.
'Do it, Jack. The matter is of vital
Importance to me-"
An appeal from Fitzgerald was ire
FEtlble. | agreed at once. At three
o'clock l met him at the railroad sta
ton.
We had been ten minutes on our way
when he said, abruptly; "Jack, I am
going to be married."
'The dickens!"
My emphatic expletive echoed through
he car, and then he added: 81 should
bot feel quite right about it if you were
pot there, and thai is how 1 persuaded
Emily. Besides" he continued, after
short pause, 81 want you to see her.
twlll be SO much to me during two
ears of separation to have some one
pe sl me who has seen her."
linen, the gates of his confidence be.
hs opened, he plunged into lovers by.
Pse'Oole. l listened silently, my hat
touched over my eyes, and my hands
Alust deep into my pockets. 1 could
Psten, and at the same time mentally
eylew the years of our friendship.
II mad been my habit to scof-an en-.
ioas scott, of course-at his love affairs.
Knew now that the time for soothing
Us past, and 1 realized with more
aan a woman's jealousy confess it)
,l Ills love for this Emily would en-.
ale' and hcnceforth be the guiding
n,pulse OF his life whether for good OF
oh arriving at our station Fitzgerald
enl ut once to the ladies waiting
"a' He returned with a young girl
MS arm, whom he introduced to me
'li>s Emily Gordon.
snook hands with her vigorously,
J" stretched on tiptoe to get u nearer
~ VI her face, for she was very tall.
stared at her 1 chilled with disap.
Tn'Ment-not a vague sentiment, but
o m,loea opinion that the face was not
WIN what Fitzgerald would sacrifice
n.y., ~. The face was fair and finely
~.'ea, flushed just now with excite
%, The eyes were dark, and though
"aferlng regard was childish and
n.y. ana, under the circumstances,
y expected, that it was which made
ru, Ieart sink. The restless glance
mA me not as a trick of the moment
"%aued by the situation, but as ex'
sS.hss undesirable characteristics O.
"olnan, There was not a CLEAN o,
Eml SI1eaay, spiritual light such as il
H. os nave pleased me to see in the
r,, " the woman who was to be Fitz
aey We're married in the Methods
MI #'ase by a very old man, and the
M, Ivy was Witnessed by the clergy
>,.S Ille and myself. Mrs. Fitzgerald
20 N'on her husbands takinghermar
>h oe..lhcate, affirming childish,
hnr would surely lose it. She hat
Ewo,l nome that morning with TIN
>.a intention of visiting friends.
l.. ,,I as now to proceed on her jour
an,n' ,ier train would leave twent,
Cok !, before ours for the city.
""1us With her at the DarsOnau,