The Forrest City times., 1890-09-20

seemed to the colonel that he had never met with a family that inter ested him more. They were SO kind to each other, so desirous to please their guest, that he felt his heart warm toward them as if they were old friends. After dinner they in sisted that he should take Q ride with them. Mir. Decker attached his horse to a two-seated covered wagon, and the three members of the family and their guest started on a ride that included view of the most in teresting portions of the city. When it wns time for Col. Fifer to take the train, Mr. Decker drove to the station, and the colonel parted with the friend ly family with much regret. alter having extended n hearty invitation to them to visit his home.
 About year passed away, dur ing which the colonel did not hear anything concerning the family that had interested him somuch. although pleasant recolcctions of them often came to his mind. One day he pick ed up a daily paper and began to read an account of cyclone that had done much havoc in the west. Much to his. alarm he noticed that the city where Mir. Decker lived had been partially destroyed by the tornado, and among the list of killed he found the names of his friends and his amiable wife. The picture ofthe happy family returned tnhi,,, n r I btc uf,ti ,vo u ttllaJ wi f h Sa1. ness. It seemed cruel and wrong thnt so great misfortune should visit people so worthy. He looked for the name oi the daughter in the list of dead, but could not find it. Probably she had escaped, and he immediately formed generous res olution. He packed his vnlise and made q journey to the unfortunate city. When he arrived, hs went im- mediatelv to the locality where his friends house had stood. X sad sight greeted his eyes. All of the houses in the vicinity had either been blown down or had been partially torn to pieces. In place of pleasant homes were heaps of unsightly ruins. Mir. Decker's house had been laid hnt, and he and his wife who were sup posed to be in an upper room at the time, had ialen into the cellar and had been killed instantly. Their daughter was visiting n schoolmate in another part of of the city, out side of the cyclones track, and, frantic with apprehension, ran home only to find her worst fears realized The terrible shock overpowered her, and 1t was at first feared that she would have brain fever: but youth and Il good constitution were in her favor, and at the time of Col. tifer's arrival she was considered to be out oi danger. She had gone to live with married sister ot her mother until she could find something to do for a livelihood It was necessary that she should sup. port herself, for her fathers store had been destroyed by the cyclone as well ns the house. she would in. herit only little property, and her relatives in the city were in moderate circumstances.
 ''All of the foregoing facts werq learned by Col. Fiier as he talked with citizens of the place, and served to strengthen his resolution to carry out tho plan that he had formed. Iis sought ous the girl. She remembered his visit we'll and was very glad te see him. Sine told him that her pa. rents had often spoken ot tho great pleasure that his visit had afforded them, and had hoped that they should see him some time again. Overcome hy recollections ot the hap py days thnt she had spent with her beloved parents, and by the eon, seiousness o! her own loneliness. the beautiful and amiable girl burst into tears. Col. Filer hastened to com fort her and then unfolded his plan for her welfare. He told her that he had no family. that he was rich, and that he wished to adopt her as his daughter and heir She listened, nstonished, and at first refused, saying that she could not take so great n favor. But he Dor sisted, told her that he was glad to return the kindness that had been shown him by her parents, and that, now that he was alone in the world, hc greatly desired to adopt one that could be as daughter to him. He argued so we'll that she finally con sented to do as he wished. She soon had good reasonsi for being glad that she had given her consent, for kind CT man than Col. Fiier does not exist. He immediately placed her in one Of the best hoarding-schools in the country, being resolved that she should have the finest education ob- tainahle, and he frequently visited the school and manifested the great est interest in her progress. Miss Decker was as bright intellectually us she was amiablc in disposition. and made excellent use of her oppor- tunities,
 And now comes the conclusion of my story, that part which to me is the most interesting Of all. and part which l am certain will sur prise you. Not long ago, n young man in whose welfare am great ly interested, and in whose abil- ities take much pride, became acquainted with the charming Miss Decker, and. as was extremely excus- able, and even commendable, all things being considered. fell despe,'- ately in love with her, Heproposed, and to his vast astonishment he was accepted. for he was a very modest young man. Col. FiSer inquired as to the character and ability of the young mnn and was so we'll satisfied that he readily gave his consent to the marriage, first stipulating that the young couple should make his house their home. and cheer him and take care of him during his declining years, When he Is gone. they wifi in herit his property, amounting to million or more dollars Next fall the wedding will occur; and now, who do you suppose the bridegroom