The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1892-07-21
A WEDDING RING.
The Means That Led to Happy
Reunion.

The goth day OF June, 1868, is the day
OF all days to me, for it was then that
we were married-Rex Mason and l.
Quite solemnly did we pronounce onr
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 ] had ever
done before. We were both young, and,
looking through the rose-colorcd glasses
we then wore, we saw the future only
as a fiower-strcwn path.
For time, reality seemed to verify
our fancies, but by and by there came
that inevitable first quarrel, and we
learned that the roses were not en-
tirely 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, Lean see how
foolish we both were, and how easily it
could have been avoided. But with the
waywardness and indiscretion of young
people, we refused to be reasonable,
but angrily argued and accused each
other of various misdemeanors.
The more we talked the greater our
grievances grew, until at length there
9were things involved of which l cannot
tell, Of which cannot bear even to
think.
And so we parted. Rex went. to an
eastern city to engage in business there,
and stayed in my native town for a
time, partially supporting myself by
writing at.-my own home, for | was
stubborn, and had angrily refused to
accept any assistance from my husband.
At last wrote to q friend of mine, who
lived in another part of the state, and
fully explained to her my circumstan-
ces. She babe me come to her at once,
and made preparations to do SO, but on
the eve of my departure learned that
i had not money to take me on the
Journey. | knew not what to do, for
there was no one of whom could bor-
row it just then, and had nothing to
sell, for during the last few months l
had disposed of everything that could
possibly do without.
Then looked at my wedding ring.
The thought of selling that had never
before entered my mind, and at first l
could not tolerate the idea; but stern
? necessity finally oxerpewered all senti-
mental objections to the plan, and de-
posted it with pawnbroker for thirty
days, and received the amount of money
required to pay my passage.
Before the thirty days had elapsed |
sent the money and ticket to friend
at my old home, asking him to redeem
the ring for me. Immediately upon the
receipt of my letter he wrote to me,
saying that he would do so within a
few days, whenever his work should
call him into that part of the city
How many times l asked him during
the next few months either to get my
ring and send il to me, or to return the
money and ticket, / do not know, but
all my communications were unan-
swered for along time.
At last he answered, saying: II 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, aud he replied that he
knew well enough that | had received
1t and that it was useless to try to de-
ceive him, for he was not so foolish
that he could not easily understand my
scheme, which was to get him to send 1t
twice IT,
Such an insultinp letter as IL was!
Whenever think of that man, and his
infamous conduct, my blood fairly
bols He was an old man, and had
always been 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--was born. l
Knew that was welcome to make that
my home so long as chose to stay, but
az Margaret grew older longed more
and more to see Rex, for the child was
so like her father that was constantly
reminded 81. him.
At last l concluded togo to the city
where he lived, and try to find him,
--and ask his forgiveness. But before
went again obtained possession OF my
ring lit had not been sold), for could
not bear to lose it; it seemed as though
1t were part Of my very self.
In the great, strange city to which
went could learn nothing of Rex, 30
struggled along as best could for
years, and then, when Margaret was