The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-25
HOW JACK WENT HOME
(BY MRS. c. :. VALENTTNED


Jack Symmes said these words sOlemnly,
a. he held his fair betr0thed in close en-
brace before saving a last farewell. For he
WAS going 90 the far-Oft state OF Colorado To
manage a mine OF which he was part owner.
and he would not be back for a year, when
be hoped the bells OF the old church would
peal cut merfily fOI his marriage with Jean
ME Irumual.
JEANNE would have married him then, and
done away with the cruel parting, butJack
was more worldly WISE and thought u
more honorable to wait until he could sup
port her as she was accustomed 10 living.
50 he had gladly awaited himself Of the o.
pOrlunisg 10 purchase part Of the Lone
Gulch" mine, and become its superinten-
dent for the first year.
And you will write often 10 me, Jack,
dear: she asked. turning her l0ye-llt eyes
sadly up 20 his, and try ing yainly to repress
the sDb- N ecmed 10 stlile her.
1--WE shall De twenty miles from the sta
ton, ms dearest; but every Wednesday, no
matter what the weather, ! will ride over
and leave my letter and receive the ono !
always hope will be awaiting me from
yOu.'
The girl sighed. Once "a week seemed too
seldom % hear from her lover. but she knew
10 was the best she could expect, and she
tried % feel satisfied.
Then came the last sad parting. The u
be- covered ner face with passionate kisses,
and shs chung 10 him as II they must not
part. Jack gently took her hand i'm his,
gave one last kiss, and rushed away with
out one backward glance. lest his strength
should fail and he lind il impossible 10 20.
saddened and depressed 10y this parting,
JEANNE waited impatiently for her first let
ter. When 10 came it was full OF descrip-
tions Of "a strange life in "A rough, new min
ing district. But the letter did not half re-
veal Jacks establishment and dismay at the
hardships and pri,ati0ns which he found be
must face. because be knew his little sweet
heart would H. anxious and grieye if she
thought Of him amid such surroundings.
50 he brayely kept all the unpleasantness TO
himself and presented only the bright side
to her lie dwelt upon his great love for
her, and filled his letters with plans for the
golden future BY "A years good manage
ment he hoped the mine might be made
saleable at large profit. and he could re-
turn % her rich man.
JEANNE read his letter over and over, and
loved him more for the separation; and Jack
rode faithful, the twenty miles 10 the post
Office every Wednesday to exchange letters.
Hers were more 10 him than his daily bread
and he put them reyerently away after he
mad read each one so often he almost knew
its contents by heart. Thus the time passed,
aud winter came on. In the spring Jack
hoped to sell out, and JEANNE wrote Of the
wonderful rousseau that was being pre-
pared for the future "Mrs. Jack Symmes"
and Of the home they hoped 10 have when
Jack comes home
Christmas-time was drawing near, and
Jack had "a handsome nugget dug out OF the
mine, which he wanted to send JEANNE
The Wednesday before that holiday he
made his preparations to ride over 10 the
pOstOllice; he mounted his horse, and stop
ped moment 90 speak 10 one Ofthe officers.
who. with himself and two other men,
dwelt IN little cabin near the mine.
"Mr. symmes, / don't just like the looks
Of the clouds" said Flynn. lit looks ike
heavy snow might be coming"
FLYNN looked anxious. but Jack only cast
careless glance at the heavens, and shook
his head
Perhaps bis mental picture o. leannies
delight at receiving the nugget from the
lone Gulch' on Christmas dag had made
him imprudent, for be said. Il thit k not
Flynn. You've predicted "a snow for a week
and it's failed 10 put IN an appearance. But
Hero and can beat any kind Of a Storm
can't we, old boy =" and, lightly touching
the horse with his whip. he rode away,
looking back TO wave an adieu 10 Flynn,
who stood watching him anNiOusly. As he
rounded the road and passed out Of sight.
A stray sunbeam fell on Jack Symme's
golden head. just as ne disappeared and
Flynn dismissed his fears al this good
omen.
"a letter and package from Jack" said
Mr. Irumbal, tossing them in Jeannie's
lap, as she sat musing by the fire Christmas
morning. Dear old boy" she murmured.
ioudly. III wonder il mine reached him i'm
time 20 take away the dreariness from his
Christmas day." and with an inward
prayer for his safety she tore open the letter.
and was lost 10 all else until il was read
through. Then she opened the packet his
loving hands had sealed, and in the midst
Of her pleasure al the gift she rclOned in the
love of this brave, truc-hearled man.
As for Jack, Dee reached the little trading
station a feS minutes after noon. ana rode
up 90 the postOfico, which was the express
office also. lie sent his package, contain
ing the nugget and his letter, and received
the mail for the camp. He sorted the mail
until be- came 90 the weekly letter
from his sweetheart 80 far away, and
placed the rest in the pocket Of his great
coat Then he mounted Hero again ami
started slowly on the hOmeNard trail Let
ting the horse jog along at his own gait,
be tore open the envelope aud be-
gan eagerly % read. The letter WA
SO bright and full OF the confessions
If pure, young love, that be became COM
Dletely engrOssed in it, contents and the
rain of thoughts il evoked. Instead Of "a
Wild stretch Of hill country he bcheld fair
avn surrounding a beautiful house, ana i'm /
he doorway fond wife was standing, wait /
ne for her loved one 10 come home. The |
woman was JEANNE, and he was the bus- |
,and for whom she waited in the doorway /
# their own home. No wonder this vision /
his whole mind 80 that the low. |
ranging. dark clouds that appeared on the
0riIon passed unnOticed.
Presently the snow began 10 fall softly.
ut in large flakes, and this reused him
rom his happy reyeries. Though az first il
anne softly and slowly, IL soon came thick
+ and faster, and Jack urged Hero to a
tucker gait. He was not at all alarmed.
nd even smiled as be recalled FlyIn's
nXiety in the morning. But soon unmIs-
'kable signs Of sSeyere snOw-stOrm arous-
L Jack from his sense Of security. and.
)r the first time since he had owned Hero.
e used the spurs. The horse, surprised
Id indignant, jumped so violently that
ack was nearly unseated. Come, old
~, you must forgive that" he said, sOoth-
igly, "for we must get out Of this as quick
) we can. Old Flynn was right.
ter all" Thus urged, Hero be- .
lme quiet, and stepped out grandly.
Now, the snow WAS coming in great
hrs and gusts, and horse and rider were
,th well-nigh blinded. Still Hero kept on
'ayely, and Jack, to encourage him and ,
keep up his own spirits, patted the horse
I'd spoke kindly to him from time to time.
scS could not make any accurate calcula-
IN. but thought they were nearly home.
hen il grew dark, and the trail was com.
etely lost His heart thrilled with great
ar as he realized be could not tell which
Az 20 turn.
Hero he said, bc6ing low and speak. +
z in his ear; Hero, YOU must ind the uay.
+ my sake, Hero, and fOr-hers," and his
Ice ended In a sob.
The horse struggled along bravely. az If u
could understand what life meant 10
)se two young hearts. But il was hard
rk, and he was blinded by the snow and
IL. a ~ 4. l. "A 4