The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-11-04
HER PROMISE.

HER PROMISE.
Old Abner Marsden moved uneasily
in his big armchair. ''Seems to me
Luce is mighty long time getting that
water" he muttered as he rose and
hobbled to the end of the cottage porch.
He put aside the vines that screened the
view and looked down toward the lower
end of the garden, where a cool spring
gurgled up from the earth. well, if
she amt talkin agin with that pauper,
Ang Rowland" growled the old man.
''Lucel Say, Luce, l want your he
called.
'Ill be there in a minute, father"
called back II comedy girl of eighteen.
who stood ne,lr the spring chatting with
plainly dressed youth of about the
same age. She reached for the pail of
water which Angus Rowland still held
in his hand and said, with smile: IL
must go, Ang. Father wants me-"
sit seems to me, Luce" said Angus
as he gave her the pail, ''that your
father always wants you when he sees
me around. He hates me for some rea-
son, but if it's all right with you can
stand it."
Lucia looked troubled as she said,
"Goodby, Ang," and turned toward the
house.
Old Marsden was an extremely litter
ate man, but in business ventures he had
always been successful, and now, though
a confirmed invalid, his head was full of
schemes and devices, and he used to sit
for hours at time planning measures
by whicE his hoard of wealth might be
increased. Lucia took after her mother,
who had been "a powerful good woman"
so people said.
Luce" said the old man as she ap-
peared at the door, Il want this to be
the last of your talking with that good
for nothing lout, Ang Rowland. The
idea of likely girl like you talking
friendly with such trash! l won't have
it, and if he don't steer clear I'll give
him something to remember me by
and the old man shook his cane vigor-
ously.
Il do not see why you should dislike
him So" said Lucia. HE has had Il hard
time getting along, but that isn't his
fault"
His father was cut out to die in the
poorhouse," yelled the old man, "and
why didn't he die there?"
Because" Lucie answered, Gang
worked hard and took care Of the old
folks"
. Her father scowled. ''Old Rowland
was intended for the poorhOuse, and no
good comes of fghtin Providence. He
died without cent, and so will the
young Teller. But that amt the point;
there are plenty Of fellers round here
that has money, but there amt many
sech gals as you be, L reckon. Why,
Luce, you have the choice of the town,
and it's your solemn duty not to be
rash" The miserly features of the old
man relaxed somewhat as he admired his
daughters comely face. He experienced
q kind of fatherly affection for her, and
was even willing to spend money freely
that she might make a good appearance.
Whenever he saw her dressed in some
new article of apparel he would mutter
to himself, Its all 7 It; it will all
come back; l know good investment,
for have made a good many-yes, a
good many"
4 few evenings after the event above
mentioned Lucia was walking in the
garden when she heard some one tap
lightly at the gate, and in the moonlight !
saw Angus Rowland. "He wants to see
me-" she thought as she hurried through |
the lilacs to the garden path. Father |
will miss me if l am gone long," said |
Lucia on approaching, "but we can
visit for a minute"
Luce" said Angus, 81 have come to |
say goodby. Your father says for me
to keep away from you because 1 am |
poor and he doesn't want you to marry |
4 pauper. Well, l am going away for |
five years, and when come back I'll |
be rich-rich enough 10 suit your father" |
he exclaimed excitedly, striking the |
fence a heavy blow with his fist.
Il don't care about you being so rich" |
said Lucia. III like you just as well |
if you are poor, but don't stay away so
long," and she looked beseechingly into |
his face. You may have bad luck, you |
know, and not earn very much money |
after all, but I'll think just as much Of
you. Are you going far!" she asked, |
looking down at the ground.
ITO California" said Angus, land l |
know Just what l shall do when l get |
there too. Father often told me of a |
valley in California where all sorts of |
fruit will grow almost without cultiva- !
ton. Father wandered down there |
when he was out among the mines, and !
being used to a fruit country he knew |
just what a wonderful place it was. |
He'd have gone there himself if his sick
ness hadn't come on, but he told me |
about it time and again, and he gave me
this little map" and Rowland took an |
old torn paper from his pocket, and care
fully opening it pointed out by the
bright moonlight which broke through
the trees the colorado of his hopes and
ambition. THAT valley is mine," said
ne, land 1 am going there and plant
-rees."
"Lucew called old Marsden from the
house, where be your
Here am, father" Lucia replied.
well, it seems to me that you are
mighty long time gone" cried the old
man, "but come to the house. for young
Hinton is here and wants to see YOU"
Lucia saw the troubled look that came
INTO Howlsnd's face and hastily MUIR
nured: Father wants me to marry
aim, but won't; I'll marry you. sure
md write often and don't stay SO long,"
,he pleaded as she raised her face for q
farewell kiss.
The next morning old Marsden said to
his daughter with an inquisitive look,
Young Hinton didn't stay long last
night, did her"
mo-" answered Lucia, mot very
ong."
Ibid he ask you to have him?' added
he old man.
Eyes, father, he did," answered Luz
ia, "but told him couldn't"
Told him ye couldn't" screamed
he old man. why couldn't YEP
Because 1 don't love him." said the
laughter, looking her father steadily in
he eye.
"Love him, Luce! 1 tell We people
lon't marry for love. They marry to
make a good thing. When they get the
worst of it it's like any other bad bar
rain; but young Hinton has money and,