Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1884-09-04
The Noblenan's Ride.
BY DIR. ]. G. HoAG.

1t is an old and trite saying that many
of the actual occurrences that happen in
the world are stranger than fiction"
Anyone who habituates himself to be-
coming united with the details Of the
history Of the lives Of different individ-
uals will often find that the most vivid
imagination Of the writers of fiction fails
to produce a picture more strange
and wonderful than many actual occur
rences.
The readers of this narrative may rest
assured that it is the relation of facts
that have actually taken place, the writ
er having been furnished them by those
who were fully acquainted with them at
the time they TRANSFERRED.
Several years since there lived in the
State of New Y Ork q gentleman whom
we will designate by the name of Rich
ard Wilson. His family consisted of a
wife and infant daughter. He was a
man Of wealth, and his honesty and in
tegrity of character, coupled with his
large and practical beneVOlence, made
friends Of most of those who were &C
quainted with him. At the time our
tale commences, the sands of life with
his were evidently almost run. He had
laid for several weeks on a bed of Ian
gushing, and despite the best medical
skill that had been employed and the
became evident to himself as we'll as to
large circle of sOrrOwing and afflicted
friends, but a few more suns would rise
and set ere he would be beyond the dark
river.
The intelligence of his condition gave
him no uneasiness, save In one particu-
lar. Could he secure the welfare of his
darling Celestia, he would have no re.
grets at Obeying the summons of the
dark-winged Angel.
He had a neighbOr who had been his
lifelong friend. No brother could have
shared his affection and confidence to a
greater extent than he did, and always
had done since the days of their early
bOyhOOd. Their parents were near
neighbOrs, and since their first recOllec-
ton they had been playmates. Together
they had attended school-members of
the same classes-and when the area Of
manhood came, they were still firm, IN
varying friends. He believed that, COM
mitted to the care of this friend, Charles
Randall by name, the welfare of his dar-
ling child, who would soon be father
less, would be secured.
Mr.. Randall consented to take charge
of the little ward and gave the fond faith
er the most emphatic assurances that,
as far as possible, he would supply a
fathers place.
The le-al papers were drawn up, and
the ARA cement was that two-thirds of
his entire fortune was to be placed in the
guardians hands, he to have the use of
the property during his wards minority,
for furnishing her with a home, giving
her a frst-class education, with all the
accomplishments usually possessed by
thoroughly educated ladies, and on at
tanning twenty one years of age she was
to come in full possession of the entire
amount placed in his hands. Matters
being thus satisfactorily adjusted Mr.
Wilson babe farewell to this world in
peace. After the funeral obsequies had
been properly conducted, Mr.. Randall
took his little prOtege to his home and
and for a while lavished on her all the
kindness that her helpless condition re-
quired, or the feelings ola kind and affec-
tiOnate heart could prompt. But alas!
the temptation Of avarice proved more
than he could withstand. Ere two years
had elapsed, he disposed of the property
that had been left in his charge, together
with his own, and removed to the town
of Williston in the State Of Vermont
With his ill-gotten gain he purchased
q fine property in his own name, and
lived In style far beyond what he had
aforetime been accustomed to. He gave
out that Celestia was a bound girl that
he had taken from the pOOr-hoUse to
raise, and he treated her ike a menial
AS she advanced in years she was forced
to toll beyond her strength, and allowed
but meagre privileges for obtaining an
education. A part of the year she was
allowed TO attend the district school, but
as she increased in strength and was bet
ter able TO labor, her attendance became
more irregular.