Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-11-01
BY CHANCE.

toddler, / had made him kites and
showed him how to spin tops, and per-
haps because used to help him out Of
scrapes, either with his teacher or some
playmate too large for him to click. "
At all events, got the name, and it has
stuck to me- What surprised me most,
however, was to hear it few weeks
ago, when I supposed Jack was thou
sands Of miles away. was strolling
leisurely down an old street i'll Dublin,
looking about for some old landmark Of
the stamping ground" Of my child
hood. How things had changed! Yonder
where the little frame church had been
was stately stone edifce. Over the old
golf links had been built long rows of
stores and houses, but there-yes, it
must be-there was house that had not
been changed.
"Governor, said voice behind me-,
''isn't that the house where Alice
lived?'
never should have known the speak
er had it not been for the epithet. 1t
was Jack, careworn and gray and look
ing 35 instead Of ~.
"Jack, old boy, what brings You here?
I thought you were in America.
~ have been i'll New Orleans for
good many years. Helen used to like the
climate, but the company's agent here
has gone, and must needs come and
take care of the business until another
man is appointed, Besides the president
knew that once lived here and thought
it would be both change from my sur
roundings and pleasure to see the old
place. But ism It that Alice's old homer"
eyes, said I, 81 am quite sure of it,
but you ought to know best. Wash It she
once a sweetheart Of yours!"
"Oh, don't speak Of that! You pain
mel It brings back such flood of sad
recollections even to look upon the old
scenes. I don't know that you have
heard, but am widower.''
"My poor fellow! I extend you my
most heartfelt sympathies. But didn't
know you had ever married. However,
we have kept such poor track Of each
other that don't wonder at my igno-
rance. But can't you tell me something
of yourself? Come, I'm your govern
or.
"Well, governor, said he, with
faint shadow Of his old smile, IT left
America nine years ago. Invent straight
to Quebec and lived there three years.
It was there met her who became my
wife. We were married just six years
ago last month. Her health failed and
we went south. She grew worse, gave
birth to our first child and died. That
was a little over two years ago, and as
the child is in good hands (ny sister,
in-law's) consented to come here"
"But, Jack, what made you go to
America? Why didn't you stay here9"
"Well, it was the same old tale Of
the young workingman not being fit to
marry his idol. As you said, Alice was
mysweetheart. She said SO herself, dear
girl, but her brother Tom-there was
the difficulty. called on Alice very
often and had asked her to be my wife,
though was but 10. She said Yes
but Tom wouldn't hear of it. I tried
to bring him around by all manner of
means, but he was fesolute: He had
peyer liked me, and he never hesitated
to tell me so. In fact, he took great
pleasure in rating me before as we'll as
behind my back,
Zone night think 1t was Halloween
"a crowd Of young fellows got out on
lark, and in their sport took TOMS
small donkey out Of its shed, and push
ing it upon the roof Of wagon house,
which sloped almost to the ground, tied
it there. Tom thought was the prime
mover in the trick, though knew moth
ing of it, and accordingly the next
night, when I called, promptly showed
me the door, with the injunation never
to set foot inside it again,
81 saw Alice at times, but she seemed
somewhat changed. So after I had tried
all in my power to straighten things I
got angry about it, and when I was Of
fered position in Canada was glad to
leave. My marriage was not spite work.
loved Alice and always shall, bqS; 7
kneW could be happy With Helen and
then she said she loved me- u
Just then we passed the house. It was
the same old place we both remembered.
The same trees and bushes spread their
branches about the lawn In one corner
Of tbs yard stood large, old fashianed
bucket pump and Oh one of tho boards
Of the side fence was the rude, weather
stained carving. "Jack Higgins aud
Alice Neal"
Jack turned red, then white, as he
looked at the names and then glanced
at me. :.
".!pe you suppose she lives theirs
naW?H no asksd,
"I'm sure I don't know replied,
'but let's ask some one :"
Several persons passed, but all seemed
in hurry, so we went into a store
across the street and Inquired Yes, Taial
Neal aud mis- sister lived there. Did we
know them3 Indeed No, his sister was
not married. Some fellow off in Amer
lea Tilted her, SO they said.
"Well, Jack" said I, alter we GANG
out, ''1;in not a matchmaker, but il, as
you say, you always have had warm
affection for Alice, why don't you begin
again? 1t isn't too late.''
Jaclss plHshed t9 the fopts Of his hais
and said he should never go there after
having been shown the door. tried to
coax him, but it would not do, yet all
the time I could see he wished to meet
his old ''fiame" once mora,
Jack and / lived together at the same
hotel and daily I spoke to him of going
to call as friend. At last the day be-
fore he was to return to New Orleans
got him down near Meals home. Ws
passed ii six OF eight times, and i began
to feel foolish at promenading up and
down the street. Once he stopped in
front of the gate and hasput forth hia