The morning times., 1895-09-15

| pairing to build row of houses, and he put
| ME in charge. In a week lie took me of
and said he was going way for his health
| and must go with him, and in three days
more we were on our way to Honolulu
He was strange man, and as be got worse
he would have no one but ME near him. He
had no family, but plenty OF other relatives.
AFTER while We returned to San Fran
cisco and few weeks ago he died. felt
blue and lonesome enough then, but what do
you thiDk-when his will was opened he had
left me $50, 600. 1t couldn't be paid to
me just then, and / was so afraid there
might be some slip about 1t that never
wrote home a word of my good luck, but
just said 1 was coming back. Ten days ago
they paid me the money, clean stuff you
know-Ive got three drafts for it in my
pocket-aDd then / thought, I'll Just wait
and surprise hcrl and so my wife don't
know thing about it and won't till / tell
her to-day. But good heavensI' he ex.
claimed. wipIng the sweat from his face,
lit has seemed as though we'd never get
here! I've been afraid the cars would run
off the track and kill me, but then says.
Well, II / think I'm not going toget through
safe, that's.a sure sign 1 will. and so here
am. l got a letter from her in Chicago, and
telegraphed her to meet me-"
'tAnd is she well?" queried the lady.
"Oh yesl but good Lordl you don't know
what she's beenthrough! She's been darn
ing clothes and s|rirnping herself to send
the little girl to school, and taking in " ash.
ing to get along. Even the money / sent
her she has boarded for fear of sickness.
know how it Isl She'll come down to the
in RIOtbpu RIA for last
summer, but not thinking anything about
that-only thanking God that I'm back as
last. tell you what it is, boys" he con
tinued, looking round at those who listened,
there's nothing on earth like a faithful
wife!" and some of the passengers turned
away their heads while their lips treInbled.
And the train sped onI Newark was left
behind and then amid Changing bells the
train entered the depot OF Jersey City. The
stranger was sitting at the window. silent
and rigid. He was looking for the familiar
face, but the train was too far down the
track to recognize people in the waiting
crowd, and he grasped his bags and bundles
and was at the door when the car stopped.
The passengers who had heard his story fol
lowed him with eager eyes. They saw him
go stalking up the platform looking right and
leI5. Away up at the head OF the train a
if pushed and shouldered back by the well
dressed throng, was little woman thirty
five or thereaabouts in a wei worn black
sack and dress faded and poor, but neat
fitting and well brushed.
She had look almost painful in its in
tenSity, filled with both hope and fear. and
the eagerness Of suppressed excitement
She was looking half bewildered at the
approaching throng of passengers, but did
not recognize the ebroad-shouldered man who
elbowed his way toward her. Nor did he
see her until few feet away, and then
he Just dropped portnanteau, valise, bum
die and everything and made a rush for her.
The little woman gave Utterance to a sup
pressed ''ohl' 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