The Forrest City times., 1891-05-08

to Mandy that he would be back when his fortune was made Then he would cOme.and make life happy and pleas ant for her. He left all his money with her, amounting to several hun dred dollars, which would pay ex- penses until he returned. If he did not come before that was exhausted, she could mortgage the farm.
 hands. but Abner was gone. He jour neyed on foot and by rail toward the distant mines, where he was to realize his fortune. He was prepared to meet with failure at first, and ne was not easily discouraged.
 Life in the poor mining camp was rough and laborious, and many a night Abner Landon longed for the quiet farm. He struggled along the best he could, hardly making enough to sup port life. He could not send any funds home, and he had not the courage to write until he found better luck. From one camp to another he drifted, follow ing every story and rumor about rich discoveries.
 The once sturdy, strong-limbed farmer degenerated into lean, looking miner, with long. un- cropped hair and beard. and staring, wild eyes. They said he half starved himself to hoard up some money with which to purchase n small digging. He prospected late and early, examining every foot of ground around the camps. Life was becoming desperate for him. and his chances of making fortune were dwindling.
 Two years passed, and he was still a poor miner. His spirit was nearly broken. and his courage was oozing out slowly. He longed for a sight of his cosey home, and the loved ones in it, and in his dreams he talked and spoke of Mandy and Jack. But his pride kept him from returning in a poorer condition than when he left
 Several diggings were bought by him with his hard-earned and carefully hoarded money. but they all proved failures. Mono of the precious metal could be found. Then he returned to his old labor. and saved and toiled for another venture. His physical strength gradually left him under the intense mental excitement and strain.
 The time came when fortune seemed to change. He had saved enough to make one more venture. He examined the ground carefully before purchasing the claim. for he felt that everything depended upon his final effort Failure would kill him. He felt it in his bones. and he shuddered at the thought.
 When the transfer was finally made he went to work feverishly, and work ed almost to exhaustion. No signs of the precious metal was found. and his spirits began to fail. He returned to his poor cabin. and wrote letter to Mandy. telling her of his long strug- gles and failures. This was to be mailed to his wife if death carried him away unexpectedly.
 As last effort he returned to the claim and to his work. He labored mechanically. and without purpose; but suddenly his eyes opened wide with astonishment and he leaped up with the exclamation, .'Eureka!"
 He had triumphed. Tho mine was q fortune in itself. and his long-anticipat- ed wealth had at last been realized. Tho fearful cost at which it had been purchased was nothing now to the joy of returning home, and carrying the good news to his wife and son.
 Steam could not carry the half- frcnxied miner fast enough. and he was far ahead of the cars in spirit. At last he reached the home of his boy hood, and rushed up to his old farm house. which was now as dear and precious in his sight as it was before unpleasant. Strangers and neighbors were coming in and out of his home. and he wondered Ut 1t. He hurried on across the field.
 He was in hls rough miners clothes, and his old friends did not recognize him. He pushed his way through the small crowd. and inquired the meaning of the assembly.
 Why. man, it's death; Mandy Lan- don is dead. " replied stalwart farmer. Then noticing the pale reeling man at his side. he continued: Why, bless mel it's Abner Landon himself.
 The roughly dressed minor could make no reply. He sank into chair. while everything seemed to swim about him. Itseemed like tho vision of a disordcrod brain. and for long time he remained in quiet stupor Neigh bors sympathized with him. but they could not lift the weight from his heart His fortune had brought him sorrow rather than pleasure.