Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-02-06
From the Milwaukee Wisconsin.
AFTER YEARS OF WAITING.
BY ELLA f. GREEN.

AFTER YEARS OF WAITING.
BY ELLA f. GREEN.
"No, David, 1 cannot give my con-
sent; thee is both too young. Go West
myself and get thee home; then il
thee is both agreed, will not say thee
nay. Rachel is only Is, and knows
naught of poverty; neither shall she
bind herself by any promise; and thee
need not write to her, for she shall not
answer thy letters until she is older and
wiser; thee can bid her farewell; that
will suffice for the present.
Daniel Hatton had always been kind
father, and forgetting the days of his
own youth, he could not understand
why his daughter Rachel could be will
ng, even anxious, to leave comforta-
BILE, happy home and go forth to battle
wi til poverty because David Rich loved
her, and wanted her for a helpmeet.
He was worthy young man, but how
Inconsiderate of him to ask this great
sacrifice.
So the two young people who only a
few hours ago had been making plans
for future 20 be spent together, must
part. Such beautiful ideas as they had
of love in log cabin on the frontier,
all were spoiled. Rachel, with tears in
her lovely brown eyes, said ssNever
mind, David I feel that thee will sue
coed. | will wait for thee. I must
obey father; for he thinks / am too
young to know my own mind. But 1
know | will never love any one else as I
do thee. So farewell, and see that thou
dost not forget me-"
AS he kissed her for the last time he
said with reproach in bis tones, Gas if
I could forget thee, Rachel"
AS he had no need now to wait, for
Rachel could not go, few days later a
whitetopped wagon drawn by sturdy
team of mules started westward, its
only occupant braye-hearted young
man going to seek his fortune. Over
many weary miles he passed, but ar
rived al last where a little band of
Friends had made settlement in Iowa.
Willing hands helped him rear his lit
tie cabin. They had not known him
previous to this time, but he was one of
their own pl ople, SO he was most well
come. lie was an orphan with no
brother or sister, and as there were
none save distant relatives in the old
-Eas tern home to write to him, after
Jew months he heard from them no
more. If only he might have written
to Rachel; but he knew well that
Daniel Hatton, in spite of the benig-
snant face beneath the broad brlmmed
hat, was man of firm will, and had
meant every word of what he said. So
be toiled on, cooking his own food, do
ing the best he could, often signing for
the companionship of the sweet little
: Qua keresS. He could imagine how her
: deft fingers would transform this rude
dive ling place into comfortable home,
and more than all, how her love and
sym pathy would make his life worth
living. He knew she was attending
scho oil now, but she should not outstrip
him, for he had brought many valuable
to his father and LETT to him as mis-
only legacy. So he studied them
faithfully. In a diary he wrote each
evening an account of the days doings.
On one page he told of the Fl ding of
bee tree and gettinc such a generous
store of honey as we'll as several stings;
on another OF an encounter with
panther IN the woods, and how his
trusty rifle had slain his foe; in still an
other place was description of rustic
party. where during the day the young
men husked corn while fair maidens
sewed on wonderful patchwork quilt,
with, at dusk, the old fashioned sup
per, followed by old-time plays. In
conclusion he wrote, "Many fair girls
were there, but none 30 handsome as
my Rachel. Some, think, would not
be averse to receiving attentions from
my humble sell, but thee knows [ am
constant to thee, and shall be forever"
Sometimes he had to record bad luck;
but this must be truthful journal of
failures and successes alike, and 1t was
agreat pleasure to him.
There are few men as constant as this
David of whom [ write; he was young,
handsome, intelligent, and could have
found congenial society here, but he
seemed so averse to mingling with the
young people tnat aft a time they
ceased to invite him to join in their
pleasures.
Nearly two years had gone by; David
was prospecting fairly well in worldly
matters, and knowing that Rachel was
now almost l0, b. begtn writing letter
to her. On her birthday he would send
the tender u seive on is way, hoping
she would be permitted to send reply.
He never for a moment doubted her
constancy He wrote and rewrote the
precious epistle. What If in her posi-
BILE reply she would sig Nifty her willing
ness to come and join him. The thought
was SO sweet, the idea SO probable, that
he went about doing little things
he knew STE would like. Wild flower
roots were brought rom the WOODS
near by and ace beneath the few
stately old trees which shaded his door
yard. Every thing was made as conven-
lent as possible IN the house, TOR he re-
membered well the comforts in the
home she would leave.
One perfect June morning he awoke