Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-06-20
A WOful WOoing;
THE BRIDES NEMESIS.

I had my misgivings when Jessie went to
Glenwood to visit her rich aunt, Tor knew
that she would meet Ralph Harmon mere,
who had long secretly admired her. ralph
was rich and handsome, while was noth-
ing but clerk in wholesale grocery store
on small salary. I had rich uncle, put
he believed in young men shifting for tnem-
selves.
could not find it in my heart, however,
to say anything against this trip, for she
had very little pleasure IN her lie, poor
girl, We parted with renewed pledges OF
devotion, and as l saw she wore the httie
turquoise ring had given her, l wondered
if she would think when she met Ralph
Harmon how much handsomer JeWei ne
could have placed there.
A few weeks afterwards was returning
from work as usual one evening when was
handed note and telegram.
The note was in Jessie's handwriting,
and / tore that open first. From it rolled
into the trunk was packing the ring had
given her. but I did not heed it, as l read:
HBv the time this reaches you l shall have
left Glenwood. Forgive me, if you can,
when tell you frankly I cannot endure the
| life of poverty before US, if we marry. Hav-
| ing tasted the delights of wealth, cannot
again resign them. married Ralph Har-
mon this morning"
"Beg pardon, sir, but the boy is waiting
for an answer to the telegram"
l opened it then. Only one line, signed
by nv uncle's physician: "Your uncle is
dying Come at once y
1t reused me from my stupor of despair.
s'When is the next train?" l asked.
$500" was the reply.
hastily scrawled an answer, "Will come
nd
Hastily packing up some necessary things
l set out on my journey.
1t was very hot day, and l opened the
window to keep cool if possible. was just
| falling into a doze when the most terrible
| grinding and crashing noise was heard.
The two carriages preceding the one l
| was in had telescoped with another train
and crushed and dying were On all sides.
| 1t was slckening to see the crushed,
manned bodies of those who had been the
day before strong and perfect, ruturning
/ from summer holidays to the worlds varied
workrooms.
had forgotten my own identity almost
in nv sorrow and sympathy, when kind
ly hand was placed upon my arm, and
farmer, in his shirt sleeves, said: We've
made coffee I'D at our house, and there's a
sort of breakfast there. The women are
all busy with the wounded, but We'll do the
best we can for you all. Come! You re
clean worn out, man, and as white as a
corpse"
l followed him silently, after thanking
him for his hospitable offer.
| AS we neared the farm | saw that 1t was
the one whose barn we had used for
temporary shelter for the dead.
/ stopped for a moment.
tsIIorT ,,,o1u0t asked
"About sixty, be said, large tears rolling
!; down his sunburnt cheeks. Don't go in,
he added, as turned aside from the path
to the house.
"I'll join you in one minute, replied,
and opened the barn door. :,
i II was a CHASTITY sight, one to print itself
for life upon mans heart and brain, but
clear and distinct upon mine, above the
horror surrounding them, l see two figures,
dead and cold, but undisfgured.
! Where they took the train | never knew,
but there stricken down upon their we'd
ding Journey gone together upon life's last
awful voyage, lay Ralph Harmon and Jes-
Isle.
My brain reeled.
The first train that passed bore me to the
city, and I reached Easttown in time to
see Uncle Gregory before he died.
| Had Jessie waited but one little week
she might have married licher man than
Ralph Harmon, and broken no faith to me.
! 1t was bitter blow to me, false love and
false friendship where had given true and
hearty devotion, love and faithful fellow
ship.
But l did not sit down to mourn. went
abroad; I visited many lands and chimes
for two years, and then I met Nellie, who
, gave love for love, constancy for constancy.