Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1890-03-27
THE LOST LOVE-LETTER.
How Jessie's Forgetfulness Nearly
Wrecked Two Lives.

A10 w y OOoiO . l. Vi Is OUllhhOoo 1NOehlAy
Wrecked Two Lives.
'0Tag," "Tag" Tag" in quick sue
cession from number of tiny throats,
and group of children were scampering
all over the garden of suburban resi-
dence of New York.
Little girl, little girl, "said voice
from the other side of the hedge, will
you please do me favor?"
Eyes SIR replied the little maid.
'Now tell me, are you not visiting for
few weeks at this house?"
eyes, sir, am"-rather curiously
this time.
"Then, of course, you know Miss
Ellsler, the governess?"
''Oh, yes, sir, she just went into the
house. Shall tell her you want her?"
''Oh, no, but would you please give her
this letter."
Certainly, sir; I'll take it right in to
her." and she was moving away.
mo, dear, don't do that; wait till she
comes into the garden-she will like it
BETTER" he added, blushing very red, as
he turned away.
Now, little Jessie could not play tag
with letter in her hand, and as she
could not deliver it at once, began
thinking where she could put it for safe
keeping.
''Oh, there's place." she thought,
and without more ado she squeezed it
under the loosened bark of an old elm
tree which grew close to the house and
returned to her game. Childish sports
have not usually an all-important i'm
preston on the affairs of their elders,
but that afternoons game of tag was
fraught with destiny, changing the cur
rents of two lives almost to their utter
ruin, for Jessie in the excitement of her
play forgot the letter entirely.
Miss Ellsler, the governess, had been
happy during the early part of the day,
even till late in the afternoon, but as
darkness fell and bedtime came heavi-
ness at the heart possessed her and she
was thankful when she found herself
alone in her room.
''Oh birdie!' she cried addressing the
only confidante she had-a golden ca
nary, now quietly asleep-"he has broken
his word; he has not come. What shall
do? Must live this drudgery all my
life, made doubly heavy by him? Oh,
why did he speak to me at all? He
knew was only governess. Why tell
me Of his wealth and ambitions-whv
draw from me my story Of daily humili.
alton If he had no comfort to offer?'
And all the while the leaves Of an old
elm tree were brushing the mosquito
bars as II to say:
'Come and play with us, we know
something; search our old trunk where
the bark is loose and find reason why.
Let us accept the invitation and just
read the letter:
my OWN DARLING: May I call you sol
promised to let you hear from me to-day how
you could better yourself in the world, and
think you must have guessed dearest the wa,
should suggest. II your life is half as burden
some as you say, entreat you to give me tn,
sweet JOY Of ministering to your comfort. B,
my wife and make me happy, as shall striv,
10 make you. hasten this avowal, as 1 sail TO
the South in week or two, to be away many
many years. Your No will be the death Of me
Consider we'll, but let me hear not later than IL
three days time Of my great good fortune. 1
No. let your silence tell me; it would pain m,
less. In deepest love and anxiety, yours de
votedly ROBERT HICKMAN"
A few days later at breakfast Miss
Ellsler dropped her knife and fork OF
her plate and reeled senseless from he
chair to the floor when Mr.. Maywoot
read from the paper that Mr.. Rober
Hickman had sailed on the Cambria TO
South America, to be absent man.
years.
n
A doomed ship, battered and swept b,
enormous waves, confusion everywhere
in mems souls as in the air above them
curses and prayers, shrieks and cries
all 60 to make up the terrible seem
which is taking place within few hun
dred yards from the Jersey shore.
''Lower the boats! Lower the boats
Lively, ladsr shouts the captain. "Th
women firstP
Only gunshot from land, but wha
open boat can live in such sea?
However, the ship has struck on
reef, and every wave lifts her an
crashes her down, ripping the keel an
sides at every stroke.
In all the mad despair and rush 70
the boats there stands one man who
doing an angels work in preventing at
solute panic seizing all.
The captain has noticed his quie
speech but firm restraint and can nc
help remarking:
ssYou are cool one; you have don
your share; now save yourself"
mo hurry" replies the stole; "the'
people love life-I don't Ihave MOTH
left to live for"
Just then a cheer goes up and
of hope is: The life-boat-t.
boat Hurrah!"
Two Of the ships boats have N
shore within a few feet when O
with water. half of the occupantsp
70 shore, the others being lost
The life-boat loaded full.