Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-09-19

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wheeled him out myself. I'hOn I not him
4 carriage an6 q he got In II no asked me
my name and address, and handing me $40
told the man u 70 to the Auditorium
Hotel. A few days aftorward. 3 nan came
and requested me to call on the gentleman.
I went there, and he asked me 4 lot OF
questions, and finally said he would like
to have me 60 with him to California. I
didn't hesitate long. When we got 10 San
Francisco l found he was . big gun-not
like Mackay and that class. you know,
but with 4 lot Of money. He was pre-
pairing to build 9 row Of houses. and he
put me In charge. In . week he took me
oh, and saiA he wa going away for his
health and must 60 with him, and In
three days We were on our way to
Honolulu. He was . strange man, and as
he got worse he would have no one but me
near him. He had no family. bnt plenty Of
other relatives. After a while we returned
to San Francisco, and a few weeks ago he
died. felt blue and Lonesome enough then
but what do yOuthink-when his Will was
opened he had left me $40, 600. It couldn't
be paid to me just then, and I was SO
afraid there might be some slip about 1t
that l never wrote home q word about my
good luck, but just said 1 was coming back.
Ten days ago they paid me the money
clean stun, you know; I've got three drafts
for 1t In my pocket-and then / thought I'll
just wait and surprise her. And SO my
wife don't know a thing about 1t, and l
wont tell her till today. But, good hea-
vens"!' he exclaimed, sit has seemed as
though we'd never get there. I've been
afraid the cars Y ould run of the track and
kill me, but then l says, Well, II l think
I'm not going to get through safe that's a
sure sign l will, and so here I am. got a
letter from her in Chicago, and telegraphed
her to meet me-"
"And she will?' queried the lady.
"Oh, yes! but good Lord! you don't
know what she's been through! She's been
darning clothes and scrimping herself to
send the little girl to school, and taking in
washing to get along. Even the money l
sent her she has boarded for fear of sick
ness. / know how it is! She'll come down
to the depot shivering in clothes made for
last summer, but not thinking any thing
about that-only thanking God that I'm
back at last. I'll tell you what it is boys"
he continued, looking around at those who
listened, s'there's nothing on earth like a
faithful wife" and some of the passengers
turned away their heads while their heads
trembled.
And the train sped on! Newark was left
behind, and then amid changing bells the
train entered the depot at Jersey City. The
stranger was sitting at the window silent
and rigid. He was looking for the fami-
liar face, but the train was too far down the
track to recognize people in the waiting
crowd, and he grasped his bundles and bags
and was at the door when the train stopped
The passengers who had heard his story
followed him with eager eyes. They saw
him go stalking up the platform looking
right and left. Away up at the head of
the train, as II pushed aud shOulered back
by the well-dressed throng, was q little
woman IS or there abonts, in q well worn
black sack and a dress poor, but neat-ftting
and well brushed. She had = look almost
painful IN its intensity, filled with both
hope and fear, and eagerness Of suppressed
excitement. She was looking half bewil-
dered at the approaching throng of passen-
gers, but did not recognize the broad
shouldered man who elbOwed his way to-
ward her. Nor did he see her until q few
feet away and then he just dropped port
Hanteau, valise. and bundle and every
woman gave utterance to q suppressed
"Oh!" as she saw him and put her thin
hand nervously to her face. and that was
all; they simply stood holding each other,
while the passengers went BY. The gentle.
man and his wife who had talked to him tar
ried at the ferry entrance until the couple
came up, radiant and happy.
WELL, my friend, you found her, didn't
you?" they said smiling.
"Yes!fOundher. thank heaven!" returned
the stranger, ''and there's going to be a
rejoicing such as she never dreamed OF.
You see I've got something to tell, my
dear" he said pressing her hand. Some
thing to tell you." and then they passed on
with the great throng out Of your sight and
out of milne, but into the respite from
tribulation, that season of joy that comes
now and then, thank God, to even the
humblest 6 His creatures. 81