The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1884-10-15
in the family, the last a biirlit;eyetl baby

in the family, the last q blieKt-eyel baby
girl. .-.4est=F.
Then came in invitation for the par
ents to visit San Francisco; grandmother
was anxious to see the babies" and
aunties would not rest until they saw
whether they were pretty or not. "13"
had, by working hard at the saw-mills,
saved up some money. This he earnestly
urged his wife to use for the needed trip;
but not until he agreed to accompany her
did she consent.
The homestead mad become the prop
erty OF the frugal settlers and az"
clinging to the love which printing en-
genders, felt himself fascinated, felt the
thrill that make men type-settes all
their lives, and determined to once more
take up the "stick and rule" Finding
business dull in San Francisco, he turned
his steps toward the re-livened mining
camp, telling his wife to follow when che
had finished her visit.
At first, she wrote twice aweek, calling
him "dear husband then once a week,
finally her letters grew cool, and came
only once month.
During this time ga" had prepared an
abiding place. not neglecting to send $50
every month to her he loved. But why
did she not write oftener, why where her
letters SO cold? Perhaps she had found a
man she loved better than he? He
could not visit her, but would urge her
to bring the children to him.
As weeks passed into months, and yet
no explanation came, he determined to
visit San Francisco, and, # possible, see
his children and learn the mystery which
enshrouded his wife's actions. Proceed
ing to her abode, she met him at the
door, and without thought lie rushed in,
. embraced her, exclaimlng darling"
Here came the iron that pierced his
heart. Freeing herself, she haughtlly
babe him leave the house at once, she
did not love him, never had and should
apply for divorce. Stung to the quick,
he begged at least a look at his children.
She granted this boon, and, buying each
a token, to keep in remembrance of him,
he babe them farewell, tearfully departed.
Returning to the cease" he year after
year sent her money every month, re-
ceiving postal card acknowledgement.
This was what made "Old 49," as the
boys now called him, 80 grumpish and
tactiturn, so cranky" and bearish. so
kind and fearful withal. He loved little
Ones and many times have they seen
him take from an inner pocket carefully
wrapped-up pictures Of his little darlings,
which he had managed to obtain from
friends.
And now came the application for div
orce and possession of the children. "The
property is nearly used up and now she
mas no further use for me. but l could
live with her yet, for my children's sake
was all the old man said. With these
hopeless thoughts he went out into the
world, solitary, friendless, to roam
among gay, happy faces that Knocked
HIM.
After his first departure from San Fran
cisco, change was wrought In her he
blindly loved. Innocently she told her
people of her trials, pains and privations
in the woods, Of signing, moaning pines:
where the poor, misguided settlers vain
ly endeayor to carve out a home amidst
the thick, gigantic pines on barren soil,
misled by seductive circulars to life of
isolation, hard toll and penury. She be-
came the martyr of the neighborhood.
Her mother severely arraigned the hus-
band accused him Of the direst cruelty,
no child Of hers should live with such
wretch" Listening every day to the
abuse so bountifully heaped on his head,
she believed herself an injured woman
other mouths poured sweet straiI in her
ears; she became infatuated with the gay
city life, and in the whirl of continual
pleasure she utterly forgot the kind,
commonplace man she once loved; whom
she had promised to "love and obey till
death do lis part" Dashing handles be-
came her lovers, and turned by their
un'neaning words Of Aattery, she order
ed the children never to speak their
fathers odious name. Then she begun a |
suit for divorce and drove the good, pre-
maturely old man far away.
ut is no use," he said, "the children
have been taught to revile me-" and |
will leave that she may have the remain
ing property for their support. God bless
her and mine; tried to be dutifnl
husband, but hadn't style"