Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-02-07
If she could she would have seen a

IT she could she would have seen a
slight, determined figure, battling with
the strength of giant against the winds
that disputed his progress step by step
Falling sometimes over PROSTATE trees,
auon borne down by sudden avalapches
of snow that poured down from the over
hanging trees, yet struggling on with
unabated zeal TIL he comes at last to a
still, white figure lying across the path,
mixed up and held down by the depths
of debris of broken wheels and tree
limbs. He stopped and put out his
hands 4 moment, then he lifted the con-
tining mass, and taking the unconscious
form in his arms turned toward home.
Two hours later, when poor Bessie
bad nearly given them both up for death,
Fred Wildburn staggered into the room
and laid her husband OF her feet.
CT have fulfilled the trust" he said
family, and sank down beside Upton,
who was slowly rousing from the terrible
chill aud torpor that had overpowered
him. -
"Oh, Henry, he has tainted. And
see p
She suddenly grew white as she point
ed to a small stream of blood that had
stained his shirt bosom.
1t was morning before they could get
physician there. WiIdburn had lain
in an unconscious state al night. but
the flow of blood had ceased, aud they
thought it only the torpor of exhaus-
ton. ,v.ri a.E
"Poor Fred p Henry Upton said,
there was some good IN him, after all
[ owe my life to his bravery, and sban't
forget it in hurry. ] have been think
ing, Bessie, that will take him into the
mill, and see if | can't make something
of him yet. ] intend to reward him
handsomely for this" ..l 50.
He paused and flushed little. Per-
haps he remembered the legacy that of
right belonged to him do not know.
The doctor came at last; but his grave
face told the story before he opened his
lips. u
There is no chance for him to re-
cover" he said g Ibere is an inward
hemorrhage, caused by the long, fierce
strain upon his system. He is rather
light, and you are heavy man, Mr.. Up
ton. 1t is one of Gods miracles how he
ever accomplished it.
A little after noon he opened his eyes
and looked about him.
Fred" Mr.. Upton said, feelingly,
=" I've not treated you as l ought Ia
times past, and / didn't deserve this at
your hands. L want you to forgive
me-
Bessie-where is Bessie? 2" he in
terrup ted, family.
Here, dear Frederick, here" and
she took his hands in hers, and bent
over him till he felt tear splash upon
his face.
sob, Bessie! it's q miserable life I
know, but it's all [ have to give, and [
would give it a hundred times over 10
save you from sorrow" he said with
smile that gloriied his coarse face.
sit was my good night arm, the arm
you saved me, you know, dear. L told
you [ should never forget, and /
never did! Nobody but you ever trust
ed to the good there was in me-little
enough there was" he said dreamily.
his voice growing suddenly weak.
Bessie was crying softly. He opened
his eyes and gave one long, eager look
into her face, and in that wistfuI gaze
Bessie Upton read the secret no one else
ever knew or guessed.
% It seemed there was q remnant of
grace in Fred Wildburn, after all, ," said
a neighbor to Bessie Upton. "I hope
it will be taken into the account, but I
don't know. Gods ways are not our
ways"