The state herald., 1892-05-13

MS way from tne BOTTOM. nrst meu
him ten years ago, when I struck New
York looking for a position as report
er. / was n green country lad then,
and the fact that 1 came from within
dozen miles of his birthplace was
sufficient reason with Jack why he
should take me under his wing and
steer me clear of the pitfalls awaiting
green reporters.
At that time he was 33 years OF
age. Apparently he was n hard man
to approach, and, as n matter OF fact,
his upper crust was pretty thick.
While frigid in the extreme, he was
always courteous.
1t did not take me long after first
meeting him to make up my mind
that Jack had n story in his life that
was the cause of his being so stern,
but it was two years before / dare
broach the subject. and then the look
he gave me prevented me from ever
after mentioning the matter.
One night, n few weeks !ater-'twas
Christmas ove-we. were seated in
jacks room smoking Carolinas and
taking shout our-natiy9 country in
Western New York. Suddenly 6g tuft.
cd to me with the remark.
you asked me. if you remember
why was so bitter against the world
was rude to you then, and am sor-
ry, ! know that you are my best
friend. / am going to tell you my
story. You will say when you know
all that i was wrong. / admit it.
"lt was perhaps difficult matter
for you to understand how i could
ever love, but n few years ago | was
the happiest fellow in all old Chautau-
qua. loved n girl who was the most
winsomc, innocent maiden / ever met
Born of refinement, by the forco OF cir.
cumstances she was brought up on a
farm on the crest of the great Chau-
tauqua hills.
"Therc was nothing in common be-
tween her and the rough country boys
and girls. Indeed, she was like pure
lily, growing among coarse sunflowers.
This led to her retiring within herself,
and to me was the great boon OF un-
folding the petals that hid this lovely
character, l met her and loved her,
and had her perfect confidence and
later her love.
"For months scarcely n day passed
that did not find me by her side,
strolling through the woods or float
ing upon the smooth waters of the
lake, All was happy until her cousin,
IA dark-skinncl Southern girl, came to
visit her. II Floss was beautiful in
her way, the Southern beauty was
lovely in hers. Why. i do not know.
II became for the moment infat-
uated, and Floss. learning of my SEEM
ing falseness, lost faith in me; in the
meantime had come to New York,
and the denouement came while here.
The letter. n copy of which sent to
Floss two days before Christmas eight
yenrs ago, will tell you the rest of the
story, and here is her answer, received
ON Christmas eve"
Jacks letter was as follow:
Floss; write you tonight; you may
wonder why. The answer / might give
is-and SO do !. But no wondcrment
bestrs me for the reason i know, and
the reply, II IL came. would then TO
you show the thoughts that, though
buried and prisoned from sight, are
living and throbbing with dynamic
might.
might tell you tho story, but tits n
story once told, and now lies in ashes
in grave deep and cold; but cnskets
have been finished and graves have
been made, in which full of lifo the liv-
ing were laid.
One summer thoy tell me tits now
long ngo, the skies were all bright, and
the sunshine below awoke into life n
new being.
Jhs from it's fold ono day strayed
nway, dancing and romping in inno-
cent play. Al last with the thought
"a refurn at ali rost. the pni hwny
was sought, but twas gone and all
lost.
To talk over the past IL, OF all
things, most unpleasant to mo. But,
Floss have fingered too long. and
now-lchnnot put IL oil longer. /
have made up my mind TO do tonight
what should have done long ago-
tell you OF the motives that led my
course OF action away from the path
why should have followed. This IL
not written-picnsc do not misunder.
stand mc--with any idcn that j cnn
change whnt hns been or win you
back. For know that another Is
now much more 10 you thnn any ono
olsc cnn be. much less j. My reason.
ing may sound cold to you, but IL
reflects the hardness of character that
has become second nature, n chnrnc.
ter which have cultivated, and
which but ono thing could soften, and
that Is denied me.
First, however. ! will recall the days
OF the past. met you, Floss, and
loved YOU You combined in your
character Nil the nttributos of noble.
neas and true womanhood with the
artlossness Of n child. and worc not
branded with that terrible reality
tho world. No, the deceit of this life
OF vicc and sin were unknown to you.
loved YOU. Many days wcrc wo to-
gotbcr cithcr rambling among the
groves around your country home or
driving about th, country rond. Our
love wns ofthc ideal character; / did
not nYen kiss YOU. 80 great wns my
reverence for you And you told mo
in words and looks TINT you returned
my regard.
You placed NIL your trust In mo
Thcn met Olive. In a. few weeks you
trustingly revealed 10 me what you
thought to be her ecniincnts toward
me. ! thought from the study of her