The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1897-04-02

Tally binding him. Van Duke now APP
peared to fight upon the defensive,
whi,c Hosmer grew more and more ag-
gressiye. Suddenly Hosmer rushed
upon his antagonist and struck at him;
Van Duke tried to ward the blow with
the hat held in his left hand, but Hos
mer's dirk struck him in the left wrist,
going in at tho point and breaking off,
leaving Hosmer perfectly defenseless.
His life could have been easily taken
by Van Duke, but the young Spanish
American tossed his dirk to his second,
saying: II have done nothing to cause
this duel, but accepted it so that It could
not be said that was coward. II
you are all satisfied, I am willing to
shake hands with Hosmer and let the
quarrel end for good"
Both sides could but admire the spirit |
shown by Van Duke, and the principals |
shook hands and declared the fight |
ended. When the principals went to a
physician to have thier wounds dressed,
Van Duke found it very difficult to get
the blade cut Of his wrist, but he sue
CCtucu uOlIS ~, although Niio'
was lame for many months.
The story of this adventure could not
long be kept quiet, and as it was wills
pered around among the scholars. il
soon came to the ears of the teacher.
Ruth asked George Van Duke about il
and why his whist, was bandaged. He
replied that he had spraihed IL. and she
could get no further explanation from
him, nor could she learn anything about
1t from the other scholars.
She went at last to Hosmer, and
learned the truth in regard to the fight.
If there had been no rivalry between
the boys, there would not have been any
love in this story. 1t kindled the flame
In Van Dukes breast, and he laid siege
to the heart Of his little teacher, and
when he proposed marriage to her, she
laughingly declined, telling him that
she was six years older than he and that
he did not want an old woman for a
wife. But her ridicule, far from deter
ring him from pressing his suit, only
increased the ardor of his efforts and
made him all the more DESTROYS of win
ming her. Yet all his efforts seemed lost
upon her. In this crisis he went to his
parents, and succeeded in enlisting
their sympathy and assistance. This,
together with the strong love he bore
Ruth, soon overcome hct opposition,
and he gained her consent to their mar
riage.
When the engagement was an
nounced, the boys of the school envied
George his good fortune in winning SO
lotely bride. Their esteem for their
teacher and desire for her happiness
led them to purchase and present to her
up6ii her marriage suitable testiinbni-
al. with the best wishes OF oil the schol.
airs. They were married at the Van
Duke residence, and the entire popula-
ton of Moraga valley attended the we'd
ding and the reception that followed
The honeymoon was passed travel
Ing in the east, and was to be, extended
by tour Of Europe. While in Ne"
York, George received a telegram from
his father, recalling him to attend te
some most important business affecting
his material interests. II seems that
there had been litigation for severa
years regarding the ownership of .
large tract Of land In the valley, which
threatened the rights Of all of the mem
bersN of Van Dukes family as well as
ii al the old settlers and grantee:
therein. These suits; bf6Hghf BY Hor
ace W. Carpenter, had just been de
cided in the United States supreme
tburt against the settlers, and the,
were Compelled BY the decision to NOV
Off the land without shy compensation
for Their improvements. Thus at on
BLOW the entire fortune of the elder Val
Duke was lost. George and his brid
returned, and as they had now no HON
to go to and no independent resources
, they both resolved to commence at ono
working for living. Ruth applied TO
her former position in the valley schoo
, and was rsappointed. George went t
San Francisco; and setittrd positlo
as conductor on the California stree
, railroad. And so it happened that, afte
, three months of happy married lift
+ this young couple were separated b
e stern destiny.
). These untowad circumstances di
q not daunt thrm or destroy their amh
/ / ton to gain competency, and, In orde
8 to do this, they saw that d temporal
n separation was necessary, and also thu
h in order to get start both would /
:. obliged to work while they were "
!. young and in health. Young Van DuE
: found it very hard to be confined
" hours a day on street car. after tl
q free life of the forest and mountains
' but, spurred on by love and ambition
/, he worked with will and lived IN
4 most economical fashion.
. When they had jointly saved up 81
I. 600, he started for the gold fields
b South Africa, where by energy ar
q judicious speculation, he rapidly a
!. cumulated fortune. He sent for h
/. wife to join him, but soon firing of tn
). wild country, they returned with
T. fortune SO large that the fine Of Sl25.0'
d which President Kruger imposed upc
n him for participating in a filibusterir
r foray made very little impression upo
5. his "pile." Mrs. Van Duke has set h
q heart on buying the much-loved hon
Il Of her childhood at Martinez, and h
husband is planning to buy the FAM!
II homestead In Moraga valley. where h
n boyhood was passed and where he W.
n his devoted wife. Here he hopes
\. gather again all of the members Of h
10 family under the beloved roof OF the
~ old home. With youth. health, strengt
J. and will. one may accomplish an
Of thing one desires.-San Francisco A
!. gonaut.