Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-12-02

the use of all this talk? What concerns
me most at present is where am to get
a drink"
You don't need drink, Dan"
There you go with your dogmatism.
There you go, measuring the grains of
my want in your half bushel. You don't
need a drink, and you say that l don't
1 would not presume to say what other
men need, but it seems to be the pro-
vince of all other men to dictate to me-
Come, I'm growing too sober, and shall
begin to think pretty soon Won't you
please help me out? Let me have Is
cents: you can spare it. A man who
doesn't drink has but little real need for
money, anyway. Let me have 25 cents
and I'll do any sort of work you want
me to-
viii you help me fix up the address
I've got to deliver at that political
gatherings
Yes, 1 will
And swear you'n never tell that you
helped me?'
Yes. III do that, too
And you will draw up a paper swear
ing that you didn't write the address
| delivered last month to the uuu Eel
lows? I want you to do this. for have
heard it limited around that you had a
hand in it.
Yes, I'll do anything
Dan was about to turn away after re-
ceiving the money when he caught sight
of woman crossing the courthouse
yard.
who is that?' he asked
Mrs Burnley, the widow we have
employed to teach our school," the
mayor answered.
Where did she come from? %
From Wilson county, L believe. Did
you ever meet herr"
Il think not he said, and fastened
toward u doggery on the opposite side
of the street.
On a hill, short distance from the
village, Il hill, shaded by poplar trees,
was an old School-house originally built
Of logs, but now, weather boarded and
whitewashed. The Widow Purkley
had just told the children that they
might go cut and play until she called
them, when the door was darkened by
I; reddish apparition. The widow utter
ed a BETTING little shrek, and then,
realizing that there was no serious cause
for alarm, said: Come in" She would
not have extended this invitation had
she not wanted to set an example of
courage.
Dan Miters stepped into the room. He
stood for a moment looking at the wild
ow, and then said: Don't be afraid Of
me. / saw you yesterday and didn't
know but yOu-'
rs it possiblev' exclaimed the woman
THAT is what I was going to ask.
Dan replied, seating himself on a bench
Twenty years make great change Ill
appearances, even though hearts som.>
times retain the same"
Have you come here to reproach me!
Children she added, turning to several
youngsters that showed disposition to
loiter about the door, run along now
and play"
The children vanished, and the widow,
after looking out to see if they were
within hearing, said: Il have suffered
too much to bear reproach now"
But, don't you think that you are de
serving of reproach?" he asked.
NO | acted as l thought best /
promised to marry you, and while yon
were with me you did eXcerise so strong
an influence that / thought 1 loved you,
but when you were gone l knew that ]
didn't. / saw that l was charmed oy
your mind but not warmed by your
heart. Another man came. He was
not bright, he had many foolish words,
but love is expressed in words that are
foolish. You aWoke my admiration;
he thrilled my heart. Then I wrote and
told you not to think of me again. l
was buried in the roses Of my own hap
piness. How could l think of you?''
And you married that man?"
Yes
And were you happy?"
For 4 time. Then the dew fell off the
flowers. What could the flowers do but
wither? We went to distant town,
and there he deserted me-
rs he still living?"
He was hanged
DO you love his memory"
NO. for / have learned to think, and
thought is a dagger to foolish love-"
Did you know that / was here"
No; some one told me that you were
lost at sea-
Did you sorrow over the news?'
NO; [ did not love YOU"
Did you not hear something else?"
Not until a year ago, and then l
heard that you were alive and hope
less drunkard.'
Weren't you moved at that?"
Il was moved with pity"
And would your pity sink deeper in
to your heart if I were to tell you that
am the most hopeless Of all drunk
ards? Look at me. Look" He opened
his coat. Il have given my old shirt to
Il negro for a drink. Does your pity
sink deeper?"
''Oh, please go away, George, go away.
You distress me nearly to death. My
Go6i I have Sl1ffara6 onouph -