The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-02-10
ginia is much like Scotland in the mat


letter and read it again. He then with
a sigh, let it drop from his hand.
''Yes," he said, you are right; we shall
have to decline this tempting invita-
ton. Ah, well, We have gotten along,
and suppose We can get along still.
At first though, it seemed to me to be
a godsend to u.s."
"My dear friend, listen to me; there
Is but one thing TO be done, namely,
for you to accept this hospitable offer
of your cousin. 1t would be more than
folly to decline it. AS for me, / shall
undertake to do both your work and
mine; it will not be too much, and in
that way shall be able 10 lay aside
something, besides living more easily
than we do now. You see the income
will be the same and the expense one
half Then in time will be able to
join you in st. Louis, and if we can
not live in the same house we can see
each other every day."
"Yes, and l will also work, and be-
ing at no expense, can send you what
l earn; and that will lessen the time
immensely. We will do it, and the
sooner the better"
And from that time the two thought
of nothing, and talked of nothing, but
the coloners journey and their plans
for final reunion.
AS the day of departure drew near
their quiet life began to be quite stir
ring. They did not think they had so
many friends 1t seemed to them that
everybody wanted to know their in
ten.ions, and that nearly everybody
sympathized with them because they
were to be separated. And hints
dropped now and then. reminded them
that they were no longer young, and
therefore could not count with much
certainty upon seeing each other again.
In fact, this thought began to occupy
their minds so largely that the first ar
dor was very much dampened; but still
the preparations went on, and they
said nothing to each other about
doubts and fears-the colonel, because
he had secret project in his mind by
which he hoped to have the major
with him again soon. He wOuld state
the circumstances to his cousin, who
would probably find some way to full
fill his desire without wOunding the
feelings of his friend. If not, he would
return and their old life would be re-
sumed. But nature rebelled against
reason, and they both began to lose
sleep. BY degrees appetite deserted
them. They became haggard.
AT last the day arrived. The colonel
said goodbye TO Miss Sallie and the
boarders. They noticed that his hand
trembled and his lips quivered a. the
grasp was given and the word spoken.
They went to the station. The major
had attended the baggage, so the re-
naming time was theirs. To be sure they
had been altogether undisturbed for
half the morning, but all that time
was not so precious as the - minutes
still left.
"Major, it is needless to say shall
miss you, be the time of our separation
long or short"
"Don't speak of it colonel; we should
not become unnamed at moment
like this"
"And, major, our little office, our
habitation for 20 years, aud the tree,
and the game "f checkers-you don't
know how-hOw | shall miss them.
Mere trifles | know, but-sOmehow
they seem To have taken hold upon
me, they have become part of me, or
have become part Of them, / don't
know which,"
"Yes, colonel, this leaving of people
and place is a terrible thing; but in
this case we may look forward to meet
ing again. OF course the place will be
different, but / suppose that can't be
helped"
The two friends had strolied a short
distance from the station, and at this
moment the bell warned them to re-
turn. They hastened back. At the
steps OF the rear platform they stopped
and faced each other. They stood
there moment and then fell into each
others arms. 1t was the first time,
but how they wept. Sobs shook their
frames as thes, two withered old men
at last comprehended what it meant
actually TO part from each other. They
were really not two, they had grown
into one. To divide them would be
death to both, and they now under
stood Is.
"All aboardr
But it was not needed.
"All aboard, therep'
But the train moved off without the
colonel. Not word had been spoken,
but it was silently decided between
them, during the last embrace, that he
should not go. They smiled rs the
ears disappeared. Both were very
pale. The colonel tottered; the strain
had been too great; he was i'll. He was
taken to their room and went to bed.
The major telegraphed to St. Louis
that the colonel was sick and that it
was needless to expect him. He also
sent word along the line to have the
baggage returned. He then went back
to nurse the colonel.
He nursed him two days and then
Death claimed his own.
The funeral was well attended. The
camp Of veterans turned out, the
"Dead March" was played, the service
read, the coffin was covered with earth.
The major went through ii all. He
saw the last clod fall and then turned
away. At the corner he left the car
riage and went alone to the Office. He
stopped and looked up at the tree. 1t
seemed to share his grief. He laid his
hand ON its rough bark in silent caress.
He opened the door and stood for a
moment on the threshold gazing with
in. He sighed. "Oh, it is desolate' he
murmured, and then took step for
ward and fell. And there he lay when
they found him, face downward, dead.
-Godey's Magazine.