Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-04-23
Bernard's Letter.

so poor that we had not black bread
enough to eat-so poor, that, when
the hard winter came creeping upon
US, like some cruel, hungry tiger, we
had no brands with which to scare it
of.
In Bettina's cottage, where she sat
and spun while her childish old grand
parents nodded in their chairs beside
the fireplace, all was as clean as it
could have been in palace but she
had hard work to fill those two mouths
and her own also. There was no one
else to do it,
The lady at the great house bought
her fax and paid we'll for it. But,
after all, Bettina had but her two
hands, and two little brown hands
cannot do all the worlds work.
"Wait patiently" Bettina said to
me sometimes. "What does it matter?
We love each other; we trust each
other letHs be content"
But | could not be content. l felt
if | would win Bettina l must leave
Savoy and 90 to America. | told
Bettina so, and though she wept, she
said, Go 60, Bernard and | will
pray for you. 1t is all girl can do"
At last | had money for the voyage.
l had saved it little by little for two
long years, and now the parting hour
had come.
at is that we may be with each
other always some day that we part
now," / said.
Her tears fell over my neck. We
pressed each other in long embrace.
AT last l tore myself away, and blind
ed by my tears, set upon my journey.
We crossed the sea in safety. I
stood at last in strange land and
among strange people.
A year passed by-twelve long
months so long, counted by loves
reckoning, and yet l hoped and strove.
One more year and she would come to
me. The months would slip away
like the beads upon the rosary of one
who prays for blessings. should
feel her hand in mine when they were
all counted | should press my lips
to hers-all would be forgotten but
our meeting, and while l lived the old
people should share our happiness.
With such thoughts as these in me
| entered the great factory where l
worked one day. said to myself as
l threw off my jacket, "At noontime
l will write to Bettina."
What do we know of noontime at
dawn What do we know of night
at midday? Nothing.
| remember thinking this. l re-
member crossing the long room. Ire
member sudden flash and crash, and
the oaths of men and girls mad
scream. After that, nothing more
until sense Of pain awakened me,
and ] found myself lying in the dark,
with my own hand, cold and clammy,
lying in great soft hand that held
it very tenderly.
tried to rise. | could not.
where am II" | said, and my
voice sounded low and hoarse in my
ears. "Who is this ?"
ut is the DOCTOR" said voice, BE
calm my friend"
us it night?" asked.
1T is night"
"Why do you not light lamp ?"
He made no answer.
what has happened Z"
DO you not remember p
II remember noise"
1T was an explosion" he said,
after a pause. "You were hurt.
There were many killed outright"
doctor !" / said "is it night ?"
1T is night" he said solemnly.
but only for me / know that l
am smitten blind !"
"Try to be calm, my FRIEND" he
whispered. 1T is hard but try to
bear it %
What can we do but bear what
God sends upon US? But I did not
bear it we'll. Can you wonder2 All
was gone, all my hope ofl life, and even
all that l had won in the past year.
Some wretch had stolen the little
moleskin pouch from my bosom.
was beggar and blind I prayed to
lie, but lived and grew strong again.
One day, as sat by the hospital
I formed a resolution. ! said
% myself; 81 can at least be brave
DC brave enough to spare Bettina
and will do il though
ny sufferings should be increased by
he act. know that if she knew the
ruth she would grieve bitterly and
'emain true to me. l know that if I