The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-02-08
How the Money Came.
BY BISHOP o. P. FITZGERALD.

Francisco. Not long before, while driv-
ing on the Alameda-that beautiful ave.
nue., shaded by the wide-branching will
lows planted by the first Jesuit fathers of
San Jose and Santa Clara, for which
good work I hereby give them my hum
BILE thanks-I had met with an accident
that nearly ended my earthly expert
ences. The long-limbed, four year-old
trotter, taking fright by the collision of
hind-wheel of the buggy with heavi-
ly-loaded lumber wagon, plunged for
ward, tearing off the entangled wheel,
and then with few frantic leaps came q
crash, and I found mEself describing a
circle in the air. When [ came down
there was blank in my recollection of
events for know not how long. When
1 regained my consciousness, a badly dis
located shoulder, and many bruises and
wrenches attested the combined effects of
gravity, propulsion and conclusion on
my corpus. l was taken to the house of
my old friend, P. T. McCsbe, where Drs.
Caldwell and Thorne adjusted the dislo
cation, aud Modified my bruises. Bless
ings on the memory of the master and
mistress of that hospitable home, where
true hospitality always smiled welcome,
and from which no needy woman or
child was ever turned away empty hand
ed.
Long weeks of pain followed the acci-
deLt. The surgeons of San Francisco
even talked of amputation at the shoul-
der joint-doubtless a very interesting
operation, scientifically considered, but
one that felt that 1 would rather read
of than endure in person. objected, the
doctors desisted, and this sketch is
penned with that same right arm, with
an occasional twinge that reminds me of
that ride and smash-up twenty years
ago.
1 was just able to move about the
house, with the arm in sling, walking
softly, and trying to exhibit the patience
had 80 often commended to other per
sons. One day as 1 stood looking out Of
the bay. window upon the ever restless,
ever changing sea, it occurred to me that
90 that very day l had to make pay
ment at the bank of $3.50, or serious
trouble would result. The money was
not at hand was unable to go down
into the city to attend to that or any
other business matter there was nobody
to send; the hour for the bank to close
for the day would soon come-what could
do? To my inner ear voice seemed to
speak: "You profess to believe in prayer
80 you have been teaching others for
many years-wby not pray?" HeediDg
the voice still and small-this Voice is
always still and small-1 sank into
chair, and bowling my head upon the
window-sill, prayed. A calm, iudescrib'
ably sweet came upon me. 1t was the
answering touch. Wboso hath felt it
will understand Lifted my head, |
looked out, keeping my seat by the win
dow. Across the fiat between the end of
the street-car line and my house l Oh
served man and woman walking
slowly along as if they were conversing
on some subject of mutual in'e crest.
When they reached the foot of the ter
race they turned and began to climb the
steps that led up to our door. In answer
to their ring, the servant opened TO them,
and in answer to their inquiry, told them
was at home, ushering them into the
room where I was sitting.
"We are from Humboldt County" said
the man; by agreement we have met
here in San Francisco to be married, and
we want you to perform the ceremony"
EYES," said the lady, who was a rapid
talker, "we are both strangers in the city,
and when we left the Lick House awhile
ago 20 find minister we were at a loss,
but your name suddenly came into my
mind in connection with the recollection
of some correspondence between US when
you were Superintendent of Public In
struction and I was a teacher in the pub
lie school at Eureka. We agreed that if
we could find you, we would like to have
you marry us-and here we are"
She was very pretty, and smiled very
sweetly as she spoke.
"Do you feel strong enough to go
through with it? asked the expectant
bridegroom.
A glance st the pretty schoolmarm's
beaming face inspired me with fresh
strength and resolution, and I replied
that I thought could 60 through with
the ceremony-and I did,. he Looking
triumphant and she radiant at the close.
When the last words we're said decla.-
ing them to be man and wife tog-ther, in
the name of the Holy Trinity, be thrust
his hand into his pocket and taking out
what seemed to me whole handful Of
gold, with something of flourish, he
handed it to me, saying:
"Will that do? If not there's plenty
more where it came FROM"
I told him thought it would do.
In few moments they left, as happy
looking pair as ever met.
Retaining my curiosity until they had
descended the first flight of steps, [ then
counted the marriage fee. There were
justtwenty ten dollar gold pieces.-making
the $3.50 | needed, and $50 more for good
measure.
That is the way the money came.
At the very time my name suddenly
occurred to the mind of the pretty little
school teacher I WAS bowed in prayer in
the bay window at North Beach. Free
agency is never over borne, but by the
,,,poorr hu orrpoativ