The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-07-01
4 WEDDING RING.
The Means That Led to a Happy
Reunion.

The 20th day of June, 1865, is the day
of all DAYS to me. for it was then that
we were married-ReX Mason and |.
Quite solennly did we pronounce our
vows. and when he placed the plain
gold band, my wedding ring. upon my
finger. | seemed to think OF the words:
For better, for worse" in different,
far more serious way than l had ever
done before. We were both young, and,
looking through the rose-colored glasses
we then Wore. we saw the future only
as a ilOwer-Strewn path.
For a time, reality seemed to verify
our fancics, but by and by there came
that inevitable first quarrel, and we
learned that the roses were not en-
tirelv free from thOrnS. That first
domestic eruption was followed by
others of varying Importance, and then,
two years after our wedding day, the
final disagreement came. As look
back upon it all now, l can see how
foolish we both were, and how easily it
could have been avoided. But with the
wayHardnesS and indiscrctiOn of young
people, we refused to be reasonable,
but angrily argued and accused each
other of various misdcmeanors.
The more we talked the greater our
grievances grew, until at length there
were things involved of which l cannot
tell, of which l cannot bear even to
think
And so we parted. Rex went to an
eastern city 10 engage in business there,
and | stayed in my native town for n
time, partially supporting myself by
writing at my own home, for I was
stubborn, and had angrily refused 10
accept any assistance from my husband
At last / wrote To a friend Of mine, who
lived in another part Of the state, and
fully explained to her my circumstan-
ccs. She badc me come TO her at once,
and | made preparations to do 50, but on
the eve of my departure | learned that
| had not money To take me on the
Journey. I knew not what to do, for
there was no one Of whom ! couId bor-
row it just then, and l had nothing to
sell. for during the last few months |
had disposed of everything that | could
possibly do without.
Then I looked at my wedding ring
The thought of selling that had never
before entered my mind, and at first !
could not tolerate the idea; but stern
necessity finally ovcrpOWvred all scnti-
mental objections 10 the plan and | de
posted it with pawn broker for thirty
days, and received the amount of money
required To pay my passage.
Before the thirty days had elapsed I
sent the money and a ticket to a friend
at my old home, asking him To redeem
the ring for me. Immediately upon the
receipt of my letter ne wrote To me,
saying that he would do 80 within a
few days. whenever his work should
call him into that part of the city.
How many times | asked him during
the next few months either to get my
ring and send it to me, or To return the
money and ticket, | do not know. but
all my communications were unan-
swcred for a long time.
At last he answered saying: Il send
you the money and ticket for which
you ask"
That was all. There was not word
of explanation as TO why he had re-
fused To do as he had promised, and,
moreover. the money was not forth
coming, although the ticket was intact
! asked him if he had forgotten to en-
close the money, and he replied that he
knew well enough that / had received
it and that it was useless to try to de
ccivc him, for he was not so foolish
that he could not easily understand my
scheme, which was to get him TO send it
twice.
Such an insulting letter as il was.
Whenever | think of that man, and his
infamous conduct, my blood fairly
boils. He was an old man, and had
always been n trusted friend of my
father, and what could have been the
cause of his treating me in such con
temptuous manner has always been a
mystery To me.
At the home of my friend my daugh-
ter-my little Margaret born. /
knew that was welcome To make that
my home 50 long as l chose 10 stay, but
as Margaret grew older | longed more
and more 10 see Rex, for the child was
so like her father that was constantly
reminded of him.
At last | concluded To go to the city
where he lived, and try TO find him,
and ask his forgiveness. But before |
went ! again obtained possession of my
ring Cit had not been Sold, for ! could
not bear to lose it; it seemed as though
it were Il part of my very self.