Semi-weekly south Kentuckian., 1885-05-05

Five years passed an the Vern lns found
that their fortune hal not besn perma-
nently improved by their removal to the
West. Occasional CLEANS of prosperity
had cheered them, which were always
commemorated by great generosity to 9TH
ers, hut these episodes had. only served
to form vivid contrast with the tenor OF
their lives. Though they never exchanged
words of repining they both felt acutely
the contrast between life as they were
obliged to accept it, and life as they had
pictured it in their bright young dreams.
Another year went by, and the days
picturesque poverty were passed; actul,
| destitution hal come. No amount of el-
ergy and enleavor could avail agains
the combination of adverse ,circuni.
stances that surrounded these unrorJu
nate people. The fatal Black Frida
brought the crowning stroke OF misfortune
The consequent anxiety eventually rem
| dered them both i'll. Destitute and sick
there was no refuge for thcm except th'
public hospital. Here they were denies
the poor comfort of being together. With
this last humiliation and q ief, hope ant
faith in God seemed utterly crushed ou'
| of their hearts. The man was the mOri
despairing of the two, and after some tim,
had elapsed he made solemn resolution t.
end his own life, as soon as he could be-
come possessed of any means to accom-
plish the deed. When he was so weak al
scarcely to be able to write, he feeblN
traced these lines of farewell:
My PoOR SUFFERING WIFE:-When you reat
these words shall he beyond the reach o
earthly pain and sorrow, but do not taxi
my life in my own hand with tho cowardl!
idea of escaping from misery, and leavlni
you to bear 1t alone. l have dclberatel.
come TO the conclusion that fate is againS
hat 4 t,nly NfNN n N N
but continual trial of privation and anxiety
and so the best course Is to dc for you. II
the old happy DAYS have often told you tina
would die for you. ! said it unthinkingl
then, but mean u now.
could have borne your dcath--there
peace in sorrow for the dead-but TO live o.
perhaps for years, to be ALWAYS stand ng !
your light, to be Il dead weight dragging 30
down TO deeper depths of misery, this coul
not endure: Iou are still young nnd oenut
full. o, my darling, If were to SEQ you agail
should not have the strength to go ava
and leave you Life may be bright for yo
yet; so far il has only been horror OF des'
latfon, and hoped to make you so happy,
want you to see all the beauties of the worl'
intended to render your existence II dreal
of poetry, music and romance; and | coul
do nothing except to love you, aud that
have done, God only knows how madly.
Forgive me, my darling for the sorrow
cause you now If Others think me coward
loving Ruler of the un verse, as have b
leved in happier days, He, too, will unde
stand that He had laid upon me heavit
, burdens than could bear, and may He, to
forgive
Tomorrow is Easter Day. We never wo
so poor before that / could not bring yC
.. flowers, and little PRESENTS to duy am po'
erless to give you the slightest pleasure.
, know that the very thought OF me is on
, an agony.
am writing too much, but in closing I'll
letter feel that am saying my last wor
to you-Again, forgive me-und may g
| peace and comfort that was powerless
, give, bless your future life.
! Your LOVING HUSBAND
e While this desparlng letter was writin
;. Gertrude was indulging in gloomy rever
1 saying sadly to herself: "There are
e more festival days for u.s." Then she sa
softly to herself two verses of a song th
b che had not recalled fof year' before;