The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1888-12-20
HENRY HICKMAN.
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW.

The bearer of the above cognomen
sat within, holding in his hand a let
ter containing an appointment to a
very desirable position in one of the
departments at Washington.
Ten years anterior to the time that
finds HIM the recipient of this letter,
he met, and after brief courtship,
married Hattie, the sister Of Paul Par
ton, and shortly thereafter the twain
removed to Texas to "grow up with
the country" During these ten years
he had met with fair success, and had
contrived to accumulate considerable
of this worlds goods.
Hickman once lived in Wash
ton, good many years ago, and al
though the bitterest resolutions of his
life were associated with the place. it
still had fascination for him. This
is the case with most people who have
ever dwelt for any considerable
length of time at the National Capital.
For instance: If you should whistle
for an ex-congressman, your call
would be responded to by one or
more individuals in every block.
1t was in Washington that he met
and married his first wife. The union
was an unhappy one; Henry Hick-
man resigned his position and a
separation took place. While at his
distant home and when about to insti-
tute proceedings for a divorce, he re-
ceive,l marked copy of Washing
ton paper announcing the death OF
his wife. He had never been to the
capital since.
When the question of acceptance or
declination of the offer, that had been
made to her husband, was submitted
to Mrs. Hickman, she was naturally
anxious that he should consider the
proposition favorably, inasmuch as it
would afford the much desired oppor-
tun1ty of being near her brother,
whom she loved very dearly. An af-
firmative decision was finally made
and Harry Hickman, accompanied by
his wife and three lovely little chill
dren, started for Washington, little
dreaming that within a week he
would be called upon to pass through
an ordeal, than which no severer
could be visited upon mortal man.
*#
Mr.. and Mrs. Hickman and Paul
Parton were seated in the private
apartments of the former at d Wash
ington hotel, where they had arrived
few hours previously. Brother and
sister were very naturally overjoyed to
gee each other, it being their first
meeting in five years, and family
topics were thoroughly discussed.
Why, Paul p exclaimed Mrs
Hickman. "why didn't you bring
your wife? / em so anxious to see
her. and I am sure / shall like hel
very much-what is she like?'
"Well, Mamie is not very we'll, sis
ter" explained Paul, 'and would
have hardly been able to come out
this evening, even if she had known
you were here"
"Why, doesn't she know?"
"No; you see have kept the secret
as pleasant little surprise for her
But you and Harry and the children
must all come and take tea with us to
morrow evening"
This was agreed to, and Paul de
parted for home. Mrs. Parton wa.
by no means we'll. OF late she hat
experienced a great deal of ill health
and was now as frail physically as sh,
hae in times past been irail morally
Her sickness had, however, brough
about a more friendly relation be
tween herself and her husband, unit
she at last began to treat him will
some consideration. At times, she wa
actually amiable, and when Paul told
her that he expected some friends tt
take tea with them the following
night, she volunteered to have mic
little supper ready on time.
Mr.. Hickman and family at lengtl
arrived and Paul (who had answered
the belD, after seeing them comforta