Nevada County picayune., 1888-03-14
GOLD AND GIFT.
How My First Love Proved to be
 The True One.

When l promised my dying moth. CT that | would look after Benny un.
 Ill ne Was eighteen wears old. meant
 what l said. l had only the income
 from slo.000 and my own earnings
 te depend on, hut we managed te get along very well.
 l could not break my word to moth
 CT, even when Fred arcasked me to
 be hi. wife. Ben must live with Us If married at all. Fred grumbled
 and said he must have me alone or not at all. and when was firm went off in q rage and saw him no more for week. He was very pcnitcnt and anxious for my favor. But somehow l never felt the same tow ard him again. and, though he pressed me to name the wedding day. l kept putting him off for felt a little worried.
 The months went on. One morn ing l received q note from John Ar nold-John and had never met sine l told him, more than year before, that his love for me was hopeless: but often and often had felt and had cause to know that from a distance he watched over me like a true and faithful friend. The note said;
 My DttR Mis- MlRotGEr: There are rmor> abroad that Simpson - bank is in difficulties and may sus- pend. am sure Nou will acquit me of all intention to interfere in your affairs and believe that it k aS your sincere friend l advise you to with draw your money from their hands at once. Otherwise you may lose it.
 Sincerely yours. .luH> AE>oLp.
 l put on my bonnet and started for Simpson ~ that moment. The mon cy was paid to me. though not with out some mnrmuring and hesitation. and with my whole fortune in my little sachcl and a heart glowing with gratitude to John in my bosom l started for home. Before had gone many steps l became afraid.- The excitement of the last hour. ous- penSe l had endured while the mon- ~ wao being paid to me. the danger of utter ruin in which had uncon- sciouoly stood, and henarrownesS of my escape from it all all these had ,oroly tired my nerves; and now all at once a fear came upon me. Was it safe for me to carry su much mon ev: Would it he safe for me to take il with me home: Might some one have watched and followed me: What if l should be robbed: These thoughts unncrvcd me altogether. \ sudden resolve came to me. John had saved the money. John should keep il for me; and, rctraeing my steps. haStcned in the direction of his house.
 They were at dinner. John $ store adioincd the house in which he lived with his widowed mothrr.- In rushed, without stopping even to be announced. and laid the sachcl down upon the table beside him.
 "There il is," l cried. "ThankS to you who have saved it;' And then the sight of him and the sudden change in his face at sight of me ovcrcamc me. burst out crying violently as Mrs. Arnold took me kindly in her arms.
 'Shc has been oVcr-cNcited and lN she said to him, gently. .Leave her to me, John. I'll keep her here this afternoon. and you can see her presently" So he went away
 That evening as l lay on the sofa suffering from severe headache. h" sat by me and told me the news
 "The bank has gonc--the with drawal of your money finished Il, they suspended payment this at''r- noon. Thank God you are safe how ever,
 Iput out my hand tohim. Thank God. indeed. and thank you l said. He put my hand to m' hP' and kissed it kissed Il tend'rlN' ,,.,,nh. aoain and again-then