The Forrest City times., 1891-05-08
THE MINERS RETURN.

there's nothing much laid away. It's no use trying any longer with this old farm. It's worn out and that's the end of it"
 Don't talk that way. Abner," re- piled his wife whose pale cheeks and thin form plainly indicated that she performed her share of work to in- crease the family wealth. "You mako mo uneasy and restless when you talk like that. We have plenty to carry us along with. and that's better than many other poor mortals.
 'Yes, you're right Mandy. but that Ain't the question. There are many better of than we are. too. That old jacket of yours ain't fit to be worn an- other year alongside of that new ono of Bill Jones's wife. She had new ono on the other day. and she was all stuck up in her fine feathers. You are just as good as she is, every mite and you ain't made to wear poorer clothes"
 Abner shook his head discontentedly, and looked across the wide open fields as he pufTed away at his pipe. He would clothe his wife, who had toiled faithfully with him for dozen years, as well as any woman could wish if the funds were only his; but his labor and planning did not seem to yield him more money than was needed for cur rent expenses.
 .Abner, don't want new ]acket" his wife replied. coming closer to his side. Il can fix over the old ono this winter. and maybe by another year we'll Do better off."
 No, no. we won't" was the dis couraging reply. dts the same old story. We won't be better of on this place. It goes back every year, and there ain't no money coming in"
 '.But we ought to be satisfied with what we have We have each other. and little Jack Is growing to be such n fine lad. He'll soon Do able to help you on the farm"
 The proud father cast look of ad- miration at his young son. who was growing up to be tho very image of himself But his smile soon left his face. as he thought of how poorly he could provide for the education of such . son.
 That's it ngain. Mandy; it's another reason why wc should make moro money. Jack needsa better education than can give him. He must 20 away to college. We must make money; we must get rich.
 He did not notice tho worried ex- pression on tho palc face before him, but after short pause he continued:
 live been thinking of prospecting for money. might strike something rich in the mines. Who can tellP l might be one of the lucky fellows to pick up . fortune. Then you wouldn't have to work any more, and we could scll this old farm and 1.-Two in comfort. Wouldn't that be fine? Wed bs lske another couple then. and we'd see something of tho world"
 The clouded face frightened up wonderfully as he described the picture of his future existence. but Mandy's did not refect the expression. Tho troubled look on hcrs dcepened and in- tensihcd.
 .'Oh. Abner, don't get such silly mo- tions in your head. I am contented with my life and never grumble. We've worked along together 90 far. and let us keep on. Mining is moro uncertain than farming. I'll wear all of my old clothes for years to come and never think about them. Como, cheer up and don't lot such thoughts come into your head
 .That's tho way with women. They don't want to change. or let . man make q change. But nothing riskcd. nothing gained" M
 Abner Landon was not convicted by his wife's words. Although he had found her advice profitable many times. he now felt that his own knowledge of the case was far superior to hers. He wanted to make money faster, 90 that he could realize good. comfortable bank account and dress his wife better.
 As he returned to his work in tho fields he thought over tho past dozen years. and evolved in his mind many plans and schemes for the future. When he married Mandy he had prom ised on her wedding day to make her rich. but he had never redeemed his promise. It was no fault of his. for he was an honest haraworking son of toll. and he had donc everything in his power to make the old farm yield moro. But it was hard work t0 lay anything aside. and tho work of get ting rich was slow and discouraging.
 The thought then entered his mind that he must make change in his occupation. Others had embarked in now enterprises and realized fortunes. It might Do within his power to do tho came. Tho thought of leaving his home and travelling to the mines was not pleasant but tho prospect of get ting suddenly rich spurred him on.
 That night and several succeeding nights. he pretended to read his paper by lamplight but he was really turn ing over in his mind the schemes of making money. He looked round on the poorly but neatly furnished room. and thought how he would soon change al of this. Tho old family heirlooms no longer had any attraction for him. They seemed poor and worthless com pared with the articlcs of furniture which he saw in his night dreams and day visions.
 One day ho walked out to his fields as usual. but perhaps with mcrs than usually a6ectionate parting with Mandy and Jack. A tear dropped from his eyss as he strode rapidly towards tho nnrth and of the farm. Hera ha nick