Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-07-05

anu L uoll fllnu couitssiHS uuW th't L
have long been anxious az to my ability
to provide properly for us both when
Won should find it necessary to retire
from business. In fact we must both
acknowledge that we have to use the
greatest economy even now. But this
settles it all really had forgotten but
is all right"
The Major. upon reading the letter:
pressed his friends hand. but sad.
wistful expression had come into his
face. "This is indeed good fortune for
you. but I-I-of course it saddens me
to think of parting from you; it could
not be otherwise.
Parting from me What do you
mean? There II be no parting from me. :
"Why, yes, Colonel. of course: he is
your cousin, not mine he invites you,
not me; and if, through consideration
for you. he had done so. still l should
have to decline. You see my name is
not mentioned at all in the letter. nor is
it to be supposed that it should be: he
probably never heard of me. Why
should we think he had He knows
you only through report. but then you
are his kinsman; it is both natural and
right for you to live with him."
1t must be remembered that Virginia
is much like Scotland in the matter of
family connections
The Colonel's reply was to grasp the
letter and read it again He then. with
sigh. let it drop from his hand. "Yes, -
he said. ''you are right; we shall have
to decline this tempting. All. well, we
have gotten along, and l suppose we
can get along still. At first. though. it
seemed to be 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. AS for me, shall un.
dertake to do both your work and mine;
it will not be too much, and in that way
| shall be able to 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 cannot live in the same
house we can see each other every day"
Eyes. and will also work. and, be-
ing at no expense. can send you what
earn; and that will lessen the time i'm
mensely We will do it, and the sooner
the better
And from that time the two thought
of nothing. and talked of nothing but
the Colonel's journey and their plans
for final reunion.
At last the day arrived The Colonel
said good by to Miss Sallie and the
boarders. They noticed that his hand
trembled and his lips quivered as the
grasp was given and the word spoken.
They went to the station. The Major
had attended to the baggage. so the re-
manning time was theirs. To be sure.
they had been together undisturbed for
half the morning. but all that time was
not SO precious as the fifteen minutes
still left.
Major. it is needless to say l shall
miss you. be the time of our separation
long or short" Don't speak of it, Col.
onel; we should not become unnamed
at moment like this
"And Major our little office our habi.
tation for twenty years, and the tree
and the games of checkers-you don Z
know how-how l shall miss them.
Mere trifies | know, but somehow they
seem tn have taken hold upon me; they
have become part of me. or have be-
come part of them, don't know which. y
'Yes. Colonel, this leaving of people
and places is terrible thing. but in
this case we may look forward to meet
, ing again. Of course the place will be
different. but l suppose that can't be
helped.
The two friends had strolled short
distance from the station. and at this
, moment the bell warned them to re.
turn. They hastened back. At the
step of the rear platform they stopped
and faced each other. They stood there
a moment and then fell into each others
arms 1t was the first time. but now
they wept. Sobs shook their frames as
these two withered old men at last com.
pretended what il meant actually to
part from each other They were not
really two. they had grown into one.
To divide them would be death to both,
and they now understood it,
"All aboard ~
I But il was not needed
, "All aboard, there -
But the train moved off without the
Colonel. Not "A word had been spoken
but il was silently decided between them
D during that embrace. that he should not
go. They smiled as the cars diSar neared
Both were very pale The CoIonel tot
tered; the strain had been too great: he
o was ill. He was taken TO their room
: and went To bed
The Major telegraphed to St. Louis
that the Colonel was sick and that i,
: was needless to expect him. He also
4 sent word along the line to have the
/ baggage returned. He then went bach
to nurse the Colonel
He nursed him two days and theI
Death claimed his own
Il The funeral was well attended Tn,
@ camp of veterans turned out the "Deat
p March" was played, the service wa.
read. the casket covered with earth.