Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-03-14
BILLY SMITH
Cincinnati Post.


" in the little room which he made his
rendezvouse. In his hand he held a
picture at which he was gazing intent
ly. Looking up rather shamefully, he
put it with awkward haste into his
pocket.
@Well, Billy. | said, laughingly
"when is it to be p
He placed his hand on his forehead
with evident perplexity.
"The wedding, | mean" | went on,
when | saw that he did not under
stand, "COme, out with it. Isn't that
your sweetheart,s picture ?
Il dells you" Billy said, in a sudden
burst of confidence, -if you don'd gil il
away to de poys- Dey would poge fun
at me-
promised, and Billy handed me the
picture with trembling fingers.
"DOt vas Nina he said eagerly.
"You like herr
When | expressed my satisfaction al
the tin-tyPe, Billy gave deep sigh.
ut is dree-yier year since | SEE
her, he said Bud vin GO away
Nina say She valid. Uud, shust so soon
/ ged de money, I promised | would
send for her und We ged married
Meester Raymond, dells you some
dings."
Bending over. he continued in q low,
glad tone:
soon | send for her. / have dc
money in de bangk-almost, not guide,
Meester Raymond, ven Nina und ]
ged married, you muost GONE up. We
gif you gOot dime"
| told him that | would, and left him.
The next day the newsboys were out
upon the street with the news of the
suspension of bank that had long en-
loved the confidence of our German
citizens. Excitement was at fever
heat There were many who in the
twinkling of an eye saw the savings Of
years swept away A crowd of power
less, Departing depositors surrounded
the police-guarded building and strove
to enter the locked and bolted doors
And, happening to pass by, Isaw Billy
among them.
why. Billy l said with surprise,
"what are you doing here ?"
He turned his face, which had grown
worn and haggard in day, To me, and
said hOarSely:
@Meester Raymond, wand my money.
Ids gone dey Say-I no gan ged id. |
Ids gone dey say I no gan ged id.
II don't understand"
II was one of the worst failures that
Cincinnati had ever known. Hooked
at Billy's face, that was raised appeal
ingly to me, and pityingly replied
Billy, I'm atried it's gone. There,
there as a bitter groan escaped his
lips and he bowed his head in misery,
"dOn't take on so. BE a man, Billy
But the picture of the fair-haired
fraulein in Germany, who was waiting
so trustfully, was before me, and my
voice tremblcd.
The next day Billy resumed his du-
ties us porter in the store. Somehow,
with the look he wore upon his face,
the boys did not chaif him rs much rs
usual Happening by his room | caught |
a glimpse of him slowly writing a
letter And oh, the sadness that it |
must have brought when it finally !
reached that little lar-oH town upon |
the river Rhine,
Finally the holidays drew near. | |
had told the head of the house Billy's |
story, and on the day before Christmas |
the latter was surprised to find in an |
envelope that was handed him a crisp |
one hundred-dolar bill. 1t was large |
gift, out one which its generous donor |
could afford Billy first tried to thank |
him, and then broke down and cried.
There, Billy lac sud. suspicious |
moisture in his eyes, Il want you to
send for that sweetheart of yours right |
away and from the first, your wages
are 10 be increased live dollars a week
And then a second letter, this time
bringing joy and gladneSS in its train,
winged Its way to distant Germany.
When month had passed there
came a response that was full Of love
and hope. In it Nina announced her
of starting for America in
several weeks. Billy went about his
work with a light heart, the letter
placed carefully away in his pocket so
that he could read it twenty times a
day. And then Just when happiness
seemed within his grasp, he paid the
penalty OF some imprudence by a Sc
we're attack of pneumonia.
He WAS taken to the hospital and
.enderly cared for. When it became
known that he WAS sick all the bows
would ask about him, and not a few
lowers and fruits found their way to
MS room. There were kindly wishes
ON all sides for Billy speedy
recovery.
| had Just returned from work one
lay when Il knock came at my door.
4 messenger boy was on the outside
With note in his hand. 1t was from
lne of the doctors in the hospital. Bill
v was worse, 1t said, and wished to see
ne very much indeed. So put on
my hat and overcoat and prepared to
ace the binding SnowStOrm.
When | finally entered the room the |
lOctur who was in attendance Cravely
hook his head. One glance nj Billvis |
ace told me that he was sinking fast
softly went mp to him, and, opening
lis eyes the poor fellow reached out ,
us hand with a smile upon his face.
"MeeSter Raymond it was with the
greatest difficulty he spoke-"you've :
,omc. | voS gladt Nina"
He handed me a strip of paper that
vas crumplcd up in his hand. 1t was
telegram. I'm it Nina announced :
Ter safe arrival ut New York. She :
wanted Wilhelm to meet her at the
little Miami depot that night. Billy
ooGed up at me with an anxious look
II his ewes.
All right, old friend | said, with a l
lance at my watch. THE train is I
lmoSt due now. l will bring her to {
on" 4
He gave my hand silent pressure, '
nd | hurried away. BY the time |
cached the depot the train had already
rrived. In the almost deserted wait
lg-roOm | found a young German
irl talking conluSedly to the train
len. II was Nina l knew, and / I,
rent up to her. 1t took me some time :
} explain matters. Soon we were !
in carriage to the hospital !
When she saw her lover bitter sob !,
;caped her lips, and she knelt by his /,
edside. Throwing his arms weakly !
round her neck, Billy strOve to com .
Jrt her. ..H
All. Nina, dear one, do not cry" he !
i'd. i'm the language of his beloved +
atherland. 1T will not be long now J
efore ann we'll again, and then we
i'll be happy-so happy"
But it was not to be. When the
hill, gray dawn stole in at the win !
ows, Billy was sleep with Mina's hand !
i'll clasped in his own. But il was :
le sleep that knows no walking t