Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-12-09
LUCAS PROMISE.

in his big arm chair. Seems to me
Luce ID mighty long time getting
that water" he muttercd. as he rose
ard 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 cool spring gurgled up from
the earth. We'll. il she amt talkln'
again with that pauper Ang How
land. growled the old man. Luce!
Say Iuce l want you" he called.
I'll be there in a minute father"
called back comely girl OF eighteen.
who stood near 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
cants me-"
ut seems to me- Luce" said An.
gus rs he gave her the pail that
your father always wants you when
hs sees me around. lie hates me for
some reason but ii it's all right with
you | can stand it."
i<uSid iOOhcu brOuOteu Us buo SdIu,
'Goodby Ang." and turned towards
the house.
Luce" said the old man. as she
appeared at the door, Il want this to
be the last OF your talking TO that
good for nothing lont Ang. Rowland.
The idea Of u likely girl like you talk
ing friendly with such trash! won't
have it. and If he don't steer clear
I'll give him something to remem Der
me by. " and the old man shook his
big oak cane vigorously.
Il do not see why you should dis
like him So " said Lucia. He has a
hard timo getting along, but that
isn't his fault"
HIS father was cut out to die in
the poor house" yelled the old man.
and why didn't he die there?"
Because" Lucia answered, "Ang
worked hard and took care OF tho
old folks"
Her father scowled. odd How
land was intended for the poorhouse
and no good comes OF fghtin' Provi-
dence He died without a 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 us you be- 1 reckon. Why.
Luce you have the choice OF tho
town. and it's your solemn duty not
to be rash. Tho misery features OF
the cd man relaxed somewhat as he
| admired his daughter comedy looks
He experienced II kind of fatherly
affection for her and was even willing
to spend money freely that she might
make good appearance. Whenever
he saw her dressed in some new
article OF apparel he would mutter to
himself: Its all right; it will all
come back; / know good invest.
ment. for have made good many
yes. a good many"
A few evenings after the event
above mentioned Lucia was walking
in the garden. when she heard some
one tap lightly on the gate and in
the moonlight saw Angus Rowland.
He wants TO see me. she thought
as she hurried through the liacs to
the garden path. Father will miss
me if am gone long" said Lucia. on
| approaching. but we can visit for "a
moment
Luce. " said Angus Il have come
to say good by. Your father says for
me to keep away from you because
am poor and he doesn't want you to
marry pauper Well am going
away for five years and VIII IN | come
back Ill be rich-rich enough to sui,
your father" he exclaimed excitedly.
striking the fence q heavy blow with
his fist
Il don't care about your being SO
rich. y said Lucia .rll like you Just
as well If you are poor but don't stay
away so long" and she looked be
seechlngly into his face. You may
have bad luck, you know and no,
earn very much money after all. bu
I'll think just rs much of you. Are
you going farP she asked looking
down at the ground.
To California said Angus land
| know just what | shall do when
get there too. Father often told me
OF valley in California where al
SORTS Of fruit will grow almost with
out cultivation. Father wandered
down there when he was out among
the mines and. being used to a frui
country, he knew just what wonder
full place it was He'd have gone
there himself If his sickness hadn'
come on. but he: told me about it time
and again, and he gave me this little
map and Rowland took an old TORI
paper from his pocket and CAREFUL,
opening it pointed out to Lucia by the
bright moonlight which broke through
tie trees the EldoradO OF his hope.
and ambition. That valley is mine. >
said he land | am going there ant
plant trees"
! 'Luce!' called old Marsden IRON
the house. where be you"
Here am father" Lucia replied
Well it seems to me that you are
mighty long time gone. cried the
old man. hut come to the house fol
young Hinton is here and wants &c
see you"
Lucia saw the troubled look thai
came into Howlands face and hastily
murmured: Father wants me to mar.
ry him but | won't: FL marry you.
Be sure and write often and don stay
so long" she pleaded rs she raised
her face for farewell kiss.
The next morning old Marsden said
10 his daughter with an inquisitive
look: Young Hinton didn't stay
long last n CHIT did hep"
No" answered Lucia" not very
long"