Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-03-13
From the Milwaukee Wisconsin.
AFTER MANY YEARS.
BY CHAs. A. DEWITT.

n
BY CHAS. A. DEWITT.
In quiet little village on the banks
of the Hudson River lived pretty Susie
Morrow. With rosy cheeks, an elastic
step that proclaimed the vieor of he1
1.-THE frame, tawny hair, proclaimed by
the envious to be ''red" and by the par
tial- minded golden" but which hung
In rich profusion to her waist, and eyes
that sparkled and danced with mischief,
while their light blue depths had been
the tomb in which lay buried the loves
of half the village lads, she certainly
was entitled to be called pretty" Her
father had been a ship carpenter. and
when she was but child he had died
possessed of but little property, and
that little had been the means of sus-
tenance to Susie and her mother until
now, when, with a cold, bleak winter
coming on, coal and the necessities of
life dear. Mrs. Morrow drew the last
sixpence from her treasured hoard, and
with sigh gave it to the butchers boy
who had just left the meat for dinner.
The cottage in which they lived still re-
manned to them, and thus they escaped
the tyranny OF an over-bearing land
lord, but the fact still remained that
something must be done, and that very
quickly, or the wolf would soon be at
the door, and this was the subject of
discussion between Susie and her
mother. Not long before John Nc
kenzle, grocer, young and well-to-do
In the worlds goods. with an established
and constantly increasing trade, had
rendered his heart, hand and bank &C
count to Susie, who was now nearly 20
years OF age, and not one whit less en-
gazing than when a child of 10. But
Susie, who. like other maidens of
her age, had her own ideas of
love and marriage, could not
forget that year be ore she had said
goodbye to George Matson, a young
man OF good character, honest and
trustworthy, but poor in pocket and
without that boon that is the right of
the poor man as well as the rich, trade
or profession. George had been work
OF the firm left him without situation
and without money enough to paw a
parson, let alone supporting family.
He and Susie had conned the matter
closely, and it was decided that George
should seek his fortune in some other
country, and be, in an instant, decided
upon China as atfording opportunities
for his ambitious nature. Susie was to
wait two years for him, and if, at the ex-
piration of that time he had not re-
turned. she would be perfectly free to
act her own pleasure In regard to matri-
mony.
Accordingly her lover boarded the
lrst ship he could find bound for a
Chinese port. They parted with fresh
pledges of love, and hearts filled with a
great hope for the future. Six months
passed and the girl heard not a word
from her lover. A year went by and
still no letter from the absent ore.
Susie had grown almost distracted. for
IN addition to her fears for his personal
safety, doubt began to slowly force its
way into her heart of the constancy of
her lover. 1t was at this time that
John Mckenzie began to pay his atten-
tons to her, and finally asked her hand
in marriage. Mrs. Morrow, though a
kind and loving mother, took the prac-
tical view of the matter, thought of the
many comforts and advantages which
such union meant to them both-for
John had assured her of home with
them--and urged her daughter to become
MckenZie's wife. Susie thought of her
VOW to the absent one and said that not
until the year had expired should she
give the matter thought. Her last
negative had angered her mother and
she gave her views in iorcible and de-
cided manner.
There IS no reason for you to suppose
that George Matson cares anything for
you, even il he is alive, or he would have
written you. Why should you waste
the best years of your life waiting for
him, when you have good home OF
fered you? can stand this pinching
poverty no longer. Susie, my child,
you are breaking my heart. Marry
John Mckenzie and we shall be sur
rounded with every comfort. Refuse,
and you condemn your mother as well
as yourself TO life of abject poverty.
1t Is not many men who would accept
the cast-of love of another man, and it
is only his great love for you that causes
John Mckenzie to do it."
Mckenzie added his voice to the
mothers, urging Susie to become the
mistress OF his home, and she, over
come with the ardor of his suit and her
mother's entreaties, gave her word that
when the two years were up she would
marry him on the following day, if her
former lover did not return.
Time flew on and still no letter came.
Susie grew pale and wan. but gave her.
self up TO the inevitable, as she now
fully believed George to be dead. 1t
was nearing the end of the year and
Mrs. Morrow had made quite an ad-
vance in the preparations of the trous-
seau. with which Susie would have moth
ing to do. In fact the poor girl had no
heart for anything, but thought
and dreamed only of her alb
he had spoken. When John
Mckenzie uttered words of love they