The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-08

our feet in the seat in front of US. which
had been reversed for that purpose.
Drawing heavy sigh my friend began in
his low, sad tone OF Voice.
We'll, VIII, as l said before, It isn't
much Of a story. but I'll give it 10 you for
what il is worth, and hope you won't
think NE fool for feeling as | do over
what | am about to relate.
Five years ago next month | left my
old home, or the place that had been my
home before | went on the road three
years before that, 10 go 10 California Tor
the purpose OF seeking my fortune.
III tell you Why did so.
II was engaged 10 be married to
young lady whom | had known from
childhood, and she wished me to give up
travelling before We were married. OF
course you can understand the reason, for
you know as well as l that a drummer's
wife has lev OF the comforts OF home life
with her husband.
Il consented TO her wishes, but said:
Jennie. you know | am poor-that |
depend upon nay business for my living
." y Is. jim she answered, i know 1t,
but can't you get into something else
where you won't have 10 be away from
home so much?'
That set me TO thinking.
THE town where my affianced lived,
which, by the way, We shall pass through
tomorrow, was 4 small village, and there
was little chance of my being able 10 sup
port my wife and myself there, and she
being an only daughter, did not wish to
take her far away from her parents, as
must have done had [ obtained position
In city, even the nearest one.
''It was while these thoughts were re-
volYing in my mind that the idea came to
me OF going TO California, and there max
ing my fortune, after which | would re-
turn, marry my Jennie, and settle down in
no Ia Hrfti sha~. han
many happy days in my boyhOod.
Il told Jennie OF my plans, and after
much hesitation she finally consented 10
let me 60, my glowing description of what
l could do in the Golden state having
much effect on her mind. | promised her
that | would be back IN two years at
farthest, and then We would make us a
home near her parents. and live happy and
contented there the remainder of our lives.
ION the 18th day of July / started
after bidding my sweetheart an Affection
ate farewell Our parting was one such as
only the truest lovers can realize, for l
loved my Jennie with my whole heart and
soul. Well. and know that at that time
she loved me just as passionately.
ION, Father IN Heaveni Why could I
not have known at that time the sorrow
which was in store for me?"
His voice nearly failed. Tears came
into his eyes, and a deep sigh more like a
sob escaped his lips. He remained silent
a few moments, / dared not trust nv
voice 10 speak, for | was nearly as deeply
affected as my friend, although knew al
most nothing of the great passion which
so moved him.
At last he continued:
Il arrived in California during the great
gold excitement at B. and when [
struck that mushroom town my funds
were entirely exhausted. | found no
in oct
miner, and having resolved to go to min
ing and TO stick TO it. | went TO work with
will.
81 worked there three months, during
which time / saved about 500; then De-
lieving that had had enough experience
10 warrant me IN starting on prospecting
trip, quit work and, with friend whose
acquaintance | had made on my way
West, procured an outfit and set out for
an unexplored region, about seventy miles
from B.
During my stay in the mining town
had corresponded regularly with my Jen-
ME, of course, and the letters which | re-
ceIyed were filled with expressions of
true, and, il seemed TO me, undying love,
and mine TO her were of the same nature.
"Oh! how sincerely We loved each
other!
81 wrote to her that was about to start
on my prospecting trip, and asked her to
continue writing 10 me at B, and /
would get her letters when | returned for
supplies, which | knew l would have to do
in a few weeks. Even before | started 1
began to look forward with pleasure TO the
time when | would receive the half dozen
letters which | expected would come from
my darling during my absence.
ION October %, Hawkins, my partner,
and / started Tor the mountains. We
were advised by old miners not to go, es-
pecially at that time of year, and the last
words we heard were these, uttered by
grizzled old forty-niner:
a. You'll never see B again, kids,
Its awful foolish fur two sech tenderfeet
as yous'e ter set out on wild goose chase
like this 'un.'
though have since been able TO see that
there was much sense in what old Smith
said
Il will not relate the incidents of our
journey, as nothing which would interest
you occurred until We had wandered
around for nearly six weeks, when by
pure accident we found gold.
Our strike was a very rich ore, and
after stalking off our claims | started back
TO B for more provisions and tools,
and, what was uppermostin my mind, my
letters from Jennie. Hawkins remained
to watch the claims.
II knew that the town was about 100
miles distant, but did not doubt that |
could easily make my way back by aid of
a compass.
"Twenty-four hours after l left our
camp entered the town, both my horse
and myself being nearly dead with
fatigue, for the way was quite
rough, although l travelled as rap
idly as possible. thinking of the
awaiting me. The postotfice was the first
place to which | went, and my heart was
beating wildly with pleasant expectation
as | entered the door. The postmaster
greeted me pleasantly and said:
I've got some letters for you, boy
al never doubted that they We're from
my Jennie and | answered:
= Ali right, Jenkins. Please give them
10 me quick
There were four letters.
Il looked at the top one as | took them
in my hand. The address was not in Jen-
MES handwriting. Then | examined the
next; that was not from her. Neither was
the third, and | uttered an exclamation of
surprise and despair when found that the
last one was not from my darling.
The postmaster saw my distress and
asked what was the matter.
Haven't you made q mistake, Jen-
kins? ? l asked. Is there nothing more
Tor Tue?'
That's all, my boy he announced,
after q careful search.
Perhaps some Of these are from her
directed by someone else | thought, and
one after another / tore the four letters
open only 70 realize more bitter disap-
pointment when | discovered that none
were from my darling.
Il went out into the street in q daZed
condition. Several old friends greeted me,
but | did not answer them, for | knew
nothing OF y hat passed until afIerward.
- wandered around lot an hour trying
10 collect my thoughts. and at las; the
idea came 10 me that | must start back
hint that a 4virL ~ 1at.