Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-02-07
a FATAL RESOLVE.
A Striking Romance of New York.

One fine summer morning, as | was lin
gering in the Battery park, watching with
longing eyes the steamers as they darted
past and debating with myself whether
would obey the summons of duty and go
like good boy to my dingy office or
whether breaking through all trammels,
should desperately play truant and
rushing upon one of the tempting boats
should forthwith steam down to the
shady chestnuts of Staten Island, or turn
ing my nose eastward, should brave the
perils of being stranded in the more
difficult navigation that lay between me
and the cool recesses of Glen Island, l
was accosted by a gentleman whom l
should have taken for stranger, but
that he addressed me by name aud offer
ed his hand with smile that instantly
recalled a favorite schoolfellOw. So in
stead of going either up or down the
river I sta where [ was and walked up
and down the Battery esplanade talking
of old times.
gave him my card. and he promised
to cali upon me; he also gave me his ad-
dress, and then, after a long chat, We
parted. had asked him if he was mar
ried; but he replied, sadly. that he was
still bachelor, and boarding in the very
same house that he ha6 occupied for
twsnty yeals.
About two weeks elapsed, and I had
seen no more of him, as he was danger
ously i'll. I was By his bedside within
half an hour, but he was almost speech
less. He signed to the nurse to leave the
room, and then beckoned me close to
hear something that he wished to com
municate. The only words could dis
tinguish were eys-desk-paper," re-
peated with an appearance of intense
anxiety. | brought his writing desk
from the adjoining room, which seemed
to afford him much satisfaction; and hav-
ing next discovered bunch of keys, |
fitted IN the right one and opened the
desk beside him.
"Paper, paper" he muttered again,
and [ proceeded to take out, one by one,
the documents il contained, looking to
before his eyes. He shook his head and
said mo, no." to all until at last found
one, carefully sealed up, which he pressed
into my hand, saying: "Keep it-keep
it," Those were the last words he utter
ed. put the paper in my pocket, re-
turned the desk and keys to their places
dying man. The doctor came, too, bat
shook his head with true professional
gravity. By-the-by, that professional
shake Is not the pompous imitation of
Jove that many people take it for; it is
the gesture which naturally expresses
that absence of all hope which the ben
evoient heart is reluctant to utter the
words. It is like putting on the black
cap before passing the sentence, which a
human judge does with a sad heart and
tears in his eyes.
[ staid with my poor friend till he
breathed his last, which he did between
twelve and one-e'en at turning of the
tide. He seemed quite unconscious, but
how should | know he was really SO? AS
sat in the dim light, watching his
scarcely breathing form I figured to my
self his half freed spirit, now struggling
to burst its bonds, now covering to awe
and terror, and 10th to leave it's accus-
toned tenement and brave the vague and
dread expaDse of the everlasting region
that stretched it's unknown infnltude
before it. And yet it was only by a
settled placidity stealing over his face
that knew that he was dead.
''His soul has gone to heaven" said the
nurse; "only see how calm he looks"
In spite of this assurance l went home
sorrowfuI!y enough. If l had merely
heard of his death [ should, of course,
have felt sad, ard should have said, "Poor
fellow; and only last week we were laying
plans for summer excursions together!'
But to sit down beside him for eight
hours as had done, and TO see him dyirg
away-going out like a lamp that wanted
oil-it was horrible. I could not, for
some time, summon resolution to open
the packet he eonfded to me. When I
did, found neatly written manuscript,
which l here transcribe. | made many
inquiries tC ascertain whether there were
any circumstances occurring about the
time which he aliudes to which might
render it probable that the incident re-
lated in the MS. was actually true. But l
could learn nothing that threw the least
light upon it, and therefore if it be his
actual experience or merely q fiction com
posed for his own amusement, / must
leave for others to decide. For my own
part must confess that his great anxiety
about the MS. when on his deathbed in
clines me 20 the former opinion.
Some years after [ commenced prac
tlce as po0l as church mouse, but the
precise date | shall for obvious reasons
avoid mentioning, [ had friend, at
whose house l was a pretty constant vIsi-
5or. He had a niece, who was the mag
net that drew me there. She was beautj-
full, but l shall not describe her. She
was more than beautifUl-she was fascIn-
atIng, she was captivating. Her presence
was TO me ike the intoxication of opium.
1 was only happy when under its infu-
ence, and yet after every indulgence i'll
the fatal pleasure, I sank into deeper
dependency. In my own Justification L
must say that never, in word or look be-
trayed my feelings.
That had the courage to do so has
been for years my only consolation.
One morning l sas alone in my office.
My clerk was absent. A gentle knock
was just a7diole at the door. | shouted
Come in! come inr in a delicious
revertle upon the subject of the fair lady
of my heart, aud the presence of an or
binary moral was hateful. The door
opened. and Madeline entered. 1 do not
know exactly What | did; but it seemed
to be long. time before | had the power
to rise and welcome her, while she stooa
there with timid blush upon her face
and that glorious smile upon her lips
which made me feel that it would be too
great happin. S. to die for her.
Il don't wonder that you are surprised
~ see me here" she began with a pro-
vokIng little laugh: but is your AS
constituent really roo great TO allow you
to- say how do You doF"
Inc spell was broken; I started up; I
'ook her hand. l fear L pressed it more
warmly and held it longer than was abso-
luteiy necessary.
Perhaps your surprise will be increas-