The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1884-12-16
Lena Ratti.
ST. Joe Herald

The words were uttered In stento-
rian tones by the deep-chested Isaac
WEIGH, as train No. l on the K. e.,
St. j. 81 G. B. road steamed up to
the union depot in ST. Joseph.
elena Rattir
And as the door of the coach was
opened, and the words of the depot
master rang out above the clang of
the dinner-gong and the shouts of
tine cabmen and the hotel runners,
the passengers turned in their seats to
observe whence the voice came present
ly tall, handsome lady arose from
her seat in the rear coach, and glanc-
ing slyly at the uniformed official,
was seemingly inspired with con-
fdence, and responded A.: That is
nv name, sir"
The official stepped quickly to her
side, and after the interchange of a
few words in an underIOne, they left
the car together.
On the platform stood an elderly
man, eagerly scanning each feminine
form and face as the passengers
emerged from the coaches and hastily
entered the waiting-rooms of the
hotel. 1t was the first time in all
the years of Depotmsster Veitch's
experience that he had been called
upon to introduce lady to her own
father, whom she had never seen.
He performed the service grace
fully, and affected important business
elsewhere as the two embraced and
we're each in turn almost smothered
with kisses.
1t is seldom that an active railroad
official. after years of intimate asso-
citation with the travelling public, has
time or inclination to share in the
sentimentalities Of those with whom he
comes in contact, but this time Mr..
Veitch's voice was husky, and more
than one glistening tear-drop coursed
down his cheek and fell upon his new
gray uniform.
Twenty years ago Joseph Ratti, of
Gentry county, Mo-, was married to
Miss Tickermer. Both families
were in good circumstances, and the
young people were highly esteemed.
But the brides mother had objected
to the match. which was the outgrowth
of long courtslip, and while re-
luctantly consenting at last to the
marriage, it was apparent that she
never cherished for the young man
that tender affection which has made
the mother-in-law an object of special
interest and admiration throughout
the world.
Soon after the marriage Mrs. Tick
ermer expressed a desire that the
entire family remove to Saline county.
Mr.. Ratti, who was comfortably
situated where he was, objected to
this arrangement, presumiDg that his
young wife would approve bis decis-
ion. But the influence of the mother
was more powerful than that Of the
husband, and when the old lady took
her departure, almost before the
honeymoon had passed, the daughter
and bride went with her.
1t was a crushing blow to the
young farmer, to whom a new life
and a new world had Just been re-
vealed, and whose hopes of happiness
were thus crushed and shattered in a
day. But, although he endured it
philosophically and made no effort to
induce his wife to return, still from
that day he was changed man. He
prospered and accumulated wealth,
but it was apparent to all that his |
sorrow was a heavy burden. Hard |
lines came in his face, his form was |
bent and his hair and beard were
prematurely sprinkled with gray. |
Several years later he was officially |
notified that his wife had instituted |
proceedings to obtain a divorce. 1t |
was easy to defeat this effort. and
after the trial was over he began suit
in Gentry county against his wife
alleging desertion as cause of action,
and obtained decree of separation.
During these proceedings he learned
for the first time that he was the
father ola beautiful girl, just budding
into womanhood.
The remainder of the story may be !
briefly told. The mother-in.law
died and the wife repented of her
error. By her consent Lena, the
daughter, who is now nineteen years
of age, wrote to her father a pretty
letter, full of tenderness and devo-
ton, ard expressed long-cherished
wish that she might see him and be
with him in his declining years.
The letter delicately limited of spark
of the old love lingering In the
mothers heart for the husband whom