Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-04-18

STONES that struck his fancy.
AT the expiration of a voor tho
people OF Trenton knew no more Of
Mr. D0Ster than they did on thr
gay OF his arrival in their midst.
S0mo Of the more inquisitivc had
Neh'ur"d to ask Mr.. Dostcr where he
was from, but they met with no
success, rs Mr.. DoStcr made # n
point never to hear question that
related to his past life. He alIudcd
occasionally to mining in California
ana digging oil wells in Pennsvlva-
ma, nut further than this no alluSion
to his former life and habits ever c.-
capped his lips.
The people of Trenton were com
pletcly OutdOue and they looked
upon Mr.. Doster with suspicious
eyes, nearly all of them agreeing
that any man who was ashamed to
own his native home or 10 acknowI-
cdge his business must be bad man.
ana they predicted all manner of
evil TO betall the mysterious stranger.
About two years after Mr.. Dos
ter's arrival in Trenton he found, i'm
IN one OF his evening r9mbleS, traces
OF gold on the farm of Mrs. .Jerni-
gan, most estinable widow who
lived three miles from the village.
DOSter kept his own counsel, but
made 1t convenient i'm few DAYS To
call at the Widows and make her ac-
quaintance, which he found but lit
tie trouble in doing, as DoStCr was
handsome and courteous, while the
widow had not grown too old to lose
all interest in the sterner sex.
Mrs. Jernigan had valuable farm
outside of the the prospect of devcl-
oping gold mine upon it. or course
she was elatcd with the idea of in
creasing her worldly possessions, and
as Mr.. DOster seemed to be the me-
dunn through which she was to de-
velOp her neW-fOund wealth he rap
idly grew in her favor.
The widow furnished the means
to erect temporary works and agreed
to give Mr.. DOster all the help he
required to develop the new-found
mine. He laborcd faithfully, and
each day as he called at the Widows
house to report his progress the
friendship between the two in
creased, and it soon began to dawn
upon the Widows mind that she en-
tertained more than a business in
terest i'm the mysterious stranger.
while Mr.. DOSter, though ever court.
eous and gallant, could not conceal
his admiration for the attrac,ive
widow.
Mrs. Jernipan's friends cautioned
her aad did everything in their
power TO discourage the match, but
fate seemed to be against them, and
| gradually but surely the couple
were drawn together, and so strong
became their affection for each
other that friends decided to let love
take its course and the two who were
most interested take the conse-
quenceS.
The marriage day had arrived and
the Jernigan household was all astir
making the final preparations for the
happy event. Mr.. DOster had sue
ceeding in convincing the widow
that the gold mine was valuable and
that 1T would eventually yield her q
handsome fortune.
Notwithstanding Doster had been
in the village three years nothing
more was known of him now than
on the day of his arrival, and hay.
ing failed to crafty the curiosity OF
the citizens Of Trenton he had not
made any friends except the land
lord, the editor of THE Budget and
the Widow Jernlgan.
Doster was as sharp as a brier anG
took the precaution to make mar
riage contract with the widow be
fore the consummation of the mar
riage. BY this contract Doster was
to have half interest in the golC
mine and all other worldly goods
with which the widow was en-
doWed.
Inc SueS'S hah nearly al! arri'e'
ana the grounuS anu 'Hansioh "er'
aDlaIe WIN iisnt. me "luow wa
lazy OF exquisite taste anu sne ue
termlned 10 MAKE '''s 'le ,iiost orii
prlilalht SOCIAL eNei' 'iiat lne PeoPl
OF trenton anu Eici'i'9 iiad eve
"itnie9He". i A., .
Inc hour lor inc ceremony ar
rlVed ana tne COUPE en'eieu III
parior' the oriue look!ns eA're'iiei
lovely az she ieaheu upon tne S.r"h
arm Oh the hanuSo'i'e anu ui9'i'
i