The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-21
ms swALTHhARr UNTRUE.
John Miller Crazed by the Detection Of His
Promised WIFI.


touching as that Of "OStler Joe At the
corner OF Nintn r.ast and 1hird south
streets. in SaIt Lake CITY, stands a ran
tastic dwelling. IL Is a queer boxliNe
house strangely decorated with bunting
OF red. white. blue. and yellow, or per-
haps II is IN the summer and the pref
tlest flowers In the choicest hues will be
found woven into immense wreaths adorn-
Ing the structure.
You peer through the wire netting that
incioscs the place and look upon tho
picture Of a woman. str.kingly handsome,
IL rests on "a rudely constructed easel and
surrounding II are many paintings and
pieces of bric-a-brac. The whole is pro
tected from the rays OF the sun or the
falling rain by a roof which extends to
the sidewalk.
No wonder the sghtseer impulsively
asks. What IS that And there is no
one wise enough TO answer the question
except the guide.
IL is tho home Of John Miller. Some
twenty years ago he came from Scot
land. leaving behind bonny lassie whose
promise he had that she would follow
him TO the lovely valley among the Wa
satch mountains a. soon as he could save
enough money TO send for her.
In those early days he found plenty Of
work for a pair Of strong hands He was
frequently cheered with letters. badly
spelled and badly written. but fun Of az
lection. and his heart was light As he
went TO his daily work In eighteen
months he had built a little house and
sent the money to pay for his brides pas
sage 20 his new-made home. The even
ings he had spent in making rude furni-
ture and into every rough chair and
table were wrought anticipations Of IN
earthly heaven.
Then came a letter from hi7 own true
love" telling him that she would sail from
Liverpool the next day. John sang more
Justify AT his daily labors. and his fellow
workmen were happy with him. for does
not all the world love a lover?'
Then came the day he should have re.
ceived the letter she had promised 10
write upon her arrival in New York. the
letter she was 10 follow in few hours.
But it came not that day. nor the next
nor tho next.
John sang no more AZ his work. His
midday lunch remained untasted. The
DAYS passed on and the expected letter
did not come.
The ship was lost a. sea. ! dreamed
about 10 last night" he said. The man
who worked by his side FASTENED 10 as
sure him that he saw something in the
DISPATCHES about the ships arrival days
before but John stuck TO his idea
"Of course it's lost" he persisted Il
tell YOU. boys. II she was alive she would
come 70 me. but she's lost
And the wild. feverish look from that
dav on never left John Miller's eyes.
Three weeks had passed. and one day as
he came 10 work he carried letter in his
hand. There was that same strange look
in his eyes as he handed IL 10 one Of the
men 70 read. The letter read.
Dear John-Im sorry for you but ]
liked him better. You know you were the
only beau ! ever had. and 7 hardly knew
a man besides you and my brother ]
met him on board ship. and We were
married as soon as We got 10 New York.
He is good 10 me and We Nve each
other Good old John. forgive me for the
wrong I've done you. but I never could
have been happy with you AFTER met
him Marry some good girl. better than
me. and forget me. John EMMA
But he never seemed 10 understand II.
"She was lost at sea. She was lost at
sea-" he kept on murmuring in dazed
sort OF way And John never got his
sense back and he never will. for he is
an Old. gray-haired man now.
once in a while. however. he seems 10
forget that she was lost at sea- and
every year he has put out some new
flags or pictures on the house about the
time he expected her so long ago.
He does that I'm her honor. and for
week or more every year ne looks for her
TO come The house within IS neatness
itself IN one room he retains a bed for
the one for whom he has waited these
long years. This bed has never been
occupied since It was put there. nearly
twonty years ago. and the chamber con-
tanning il is jealousy guarded.
During the season Of the year when he
thinks she ought 10 come he keeps
lighted candle In the room all night i'm
case she might come when be Is not
awake. He also reserves seat for her
AZ the table. and pours out coffee FOR two.
although 10 has always been poured back
into the copper pot Then. when this
period Of waiting is over he thinks she
Is lost to him. The bunting and flags and
cimcracks have been accumulating all
this time and his house is one Of the most
interesting sights Of Zion.
John Miller is sane on every other sub
iect but he can't be moved on this. He
is industrious and intelligent in his gem
eral walks of life but he IS still waiting
FOR Fmma-ChicaCO Chronicle.