The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-05-12
DESTINY.


"For all sad things Of tongue or pen,
The saddCst OF these, IT might have BEEN"
-WRiHir.
While working for the Western Union
Telegraph Company, in Charleston, S.
c., the great earthquake occurred. AT
the time was just returning from our
office, when the very ground appeared
to tremble and most peculiar sensation
ovcrcamc me. Suddenly the nearest
building collapsed and the excitement
and tumult that reigned supreme was
fearful to describe. Myendeavors to es-
cape injury were in vain. l was en-
quilted among flying debris and soon be-
came insensible. Upon regaining con-
seriousness l found myself in the midst
of numberless patients at - hos
pital. In different parts OF our ward
could be seen kind Sisters OF Charity
whispering words of consolation and
cheer to suffering humanity and fire.
quently the sounds OF the litany
being recited for the dying would softly
greet my ears. | had been confined in
the hospital some five weeks and natur-
ally became acquainted with my fellow
patients-those in the vicinity OF my
cot-one individual particularly, Law
renee Vandam, who proved to be mn
| intelligent and very pleasant speaker,
whose tide OF life had nigh ebbed away
from the effects of consumption, and al
though the disease had played sad havoc
with the poor fellow | could still per-
ceive faint tracesof former manly beauty
in his pale countenance. heard the
sister who attended our wants informing
him that the next couch (meaning mine)
was occupied by u telegraph operator.
After that noticed he was very friendly
and quite coniiding. On one occasion
during our chats, to crafty my curiosity
he replied, 1T may cause you surprise
to know l, too, am telegrapher, and,
perchance, to relate my past career, or q
part OF it, may relieve the monotony Of
this tiresome place. Destiny is very
lenient to some and to many most Sc
we're; in fact cruel but silent monarch.
Judging from appearances you would
little suppose that once / was light
hearted and gay as the birds you hear
singing in yonder trees. However,
not many years ago was engaged us
operator ut Sunnyside, seaside
resort on tho Atlantic coast, and
while then formed the acquaint-
ance OF n lovely girl, Genevieve May, u
native of Kentucky, who with her par
ents, was enjoying few months at that
place. BY the way; forgot to tell you
how We first met. Twas by chance: l
was standing at my Office door, inhailing
the gentle breezes OF delightful sum
mer day. The hotel balcony was stud
ted directly over my head. l was
startled to see lot of flowers dropping
from above and falling all around me.
Before l recovered from this pleasant
surprise young lady with large, captivat-
ing blue eyes appeared upon the scene
and in sweet voice explained how she
had gathered the flowers in the garden
for her mother, who was i'll, and while
arranging the bouquet for presentation
they fell from her hand. Not being
bashful, by any means, l assisted the
fair creature, ut the same time telling
her how awfully sorry was for her OK
ira trouble. In my own mind ! was
very glad to have such charming visitor
to relieve the monotony OF the click,
click OF my noisy telegraph Instruments.
From that time we were friends, and in
my estimation there was but one Gene
We've, and she the emblem OF true per-
lection. can well remember during
the long summer days how frequently
| deserted my post to devote just a small
hour in her company under the old
arbor where the sweet honeysuckle grew,
and, really when working at the key,
my thoughts often wandered from the
dispatches l handled to the girl with
those bewitching eyes,
"One delightful morning in the early
part OF August awokc Just as the sun
was peeping above the horizon, and de-
cidcd to stroll along the beach before
breakfast. After half an hours journey
retraccd my footsteps. AS usual, |
was thinking OF her and the day which
was fast approaching when distance
would divide us. Nearing the hotel |
noticed three persons bathing in the
surf. They proved to be Mr.. and Mrs.
May and daughter. The shore was de-
serted ut this early hour, even the bath.
ing master was absent, having gone for
his morning meal. Suddenly was
aroused by loud cries for assistance, and
running UP ] learned Genevieve had
become powerless and was slowly DRIFT
ing out to sea. The father and mother
were frantic with grief, neither being
able tohelp the child. Iplunged among
the breakers. Not being an expert
swimmer it was with great difficulty
that l reached the girl, as she was disap'
pearing. After gigantic struggle re-
turned safely to land, much exhausted
with the girl secretly loved more than
words can express. Her parents were
very thankful and offered me n purse Of
money for my services, which de-
clincd, as her life to me, unknown tC
them, was far dearer than all theil
riches. The excitement which this &C
cident caused subsidized, and GenevievC
and passed some very pleasant day.
together, and eventually our friendship
gave way TO that wizard word know
throughout the world MS love.
while gathering shells on the sane
one day we arrived ut a very quiet spot
the sun being intensely warm, We 50
down to rest. ! then and there confess
ed that I would gladly risk my life
hundred times to rescue her,and thougl
: not man Of wealth my love was non
the less. Her eyes seemed to laugh O
me. Anxiously and nervously await
ed her reply. Her answer, which wa
soft and low, / might say sweet mul
muir, simply Yes Our engagement wa
to be secret, as ] desired to better m
position prior to informing her parents
"The season was drawing to an en-
and the May family returned homt
Genevieve and l agreed to Gorrespon
and patiently await brighter prospect
when our fondest expectations woul
be realized. next secured employmer
on the Isthmus Of Panama at a very hig
salary, representing New York fin
there, hoping TO return OF the exptr'
ton OF year prepared to fulhll IN
promise. While there contracted til
Jhaprns fever and for many weeks