Mohave County miner., 1890-12-27
THE OLD MANS ROMANCE.


the old man quietly. as he added o
fresh stick 70 the already glowing fre.
Yes; l leave for Texas on the early
train tomorrow. Cousin Tom" the
young man answered firmly. almost
solemnly.
"Do you fnd--have you heard that
there Is a good opening for physician
out there where you are goingpr said
the old man as he lighted his pipe and
reseated himself in his comfortable
leatbern chair.
II don't care a continental whether
there is an opening for ~ physician or
not; am going west to 90 to work."
said Bob. quickly. II may end by be-
ing cowboy or something worse. per-
haps." be added with laugh that ii
was not pleasant TO hear.
''And how does the little Alice Ike
the idea Of your going?" asked Cousin
Tom carelessly. Il seemed. but his
half-closed eyes under his shaggy
brows were fxed very intenfly upon
the young fellow As be spoke.
Bob WINGED. Il have not considered
II necessary to notify Miss Ames OF my
intentions" he said stiffiy.
Perhaps / may as well tell you."
he continued after q moment. THAT Il
will be through no voluntary act Of
mine that she ever hears Of me again;
80, II you please, we will leave her out
OF the conversation. But come. Cousin
Tom, you have been out west yourself.
Tell me something about the country
The old man puEfed away slowly at
bis pipe. The young fellows indiffer-
euce did not deceive him. There were
a good many thoughts in his mind. He
bad been sitting long while alone
with only the dim freight and bis
memories for company. The coming
of his young cousin had hardly dis
PEELED the visions he had been recall
ing. and be waited . long Tins before
replying.
Yes" he said, at length. between
the puffs. II have seen a good deal OF
the west. and very different country
II Is from this. can assure you. There
Is hardly square mile of ground in
the whole state of Texas that have
not been oyer; and Mexico and the
territories. and California, too, know
pretty well. l was a considerably
younger man than | am now when /
went to the frontier. / little thought
then Of becoming the decrepit old
bookworm that i am now. with hardly
strength enough TO light my pipe. II
has been a good long time since the
Mexican war though. hasn't it2 was
hardly as old as you whea enlisted.
did | ever tell you. Bob said the
old mar suddenly. ''how / came to 20
to the WARP"
NO" said Bob, "and have often
been curious TO know why you threw
up everything and spent so many years
Of your life in wandering about"
WELL" said the old man. leaning
forward TO empty his pipe upon the
hearth. II may make a pretty long
story Of II. and II you get tired you
must let me know. After left school
l settled down in the village TO prac-
tiee law. Twas never a very wild fel.
low. only quick and hot-tempered-
quick and hot-tempered. Ave. there's
where the trouble came. !" said the old
man mus,ngly. The freight fickered
upon his bald head and sunken cheeks.
and bis ewes were very sad.
Here. boy" he said. as he fumbled
In his pocket and produced little.
worn velvet case. ''that has been with
me everywhere through all that west.
ern wild. Look at il as talk TO YOU
why. this is Alice. SIR" SAID Bot
eagerly as be opened the case.
AYE. Alice. said the old man, but
mot your Alice. My Alice used to
call her in the old days. She was
Alice Ames' aunt. / can sea hsr now,
boy. as / saw her the day she sat lis
tening to me as told my love TO her.
She kept her eyes bent down upon the
grass at her feet all the time / was
talking to her. We had walked down
the hill to the rustic seat under the old I
beech tree, but that. too. is gone now. /
| forgot. Her hat had slipped Of. |
remember. and her rough rings oi
hair seemed to have caught The rays OF /
the sun himself and shoDe and glinted
round her head She lifted her sweet |
eyes 20 mine when / had done. and |
putting her hand in mine. said:
"Why, Tom. don't you know have
loved yon always"
'And. boy--but why am telling |
you all this? You wanted TO know
why went west. Well. as told you.
was hot-headed, quiek-tempered
fool, aud. thcugh 1t seems 10 me nov
that Alice did everything t5at sensi.
Die man would have been satisfied
with. used then to be very exacting. |
ana was ettsa yexea wi,h her. she