The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-07-30
A CURSE OR A BLESSING
A Tale OF how Money Destroyed a Beauti-
ful Homa-Mammnns hcw. No Mercy.

come into possession of some facts
which serve to point the moral that he
has been so constantly preaching con-
ceruing the making Of money t e pur-
suit in life to which all things else
must be sacrificed. Some fifteen years
ago couple with whom the editor
was acquainted married and went to
Colorado. They were generous-hearted
and bright young people, the wife de-
voted to her husband and the husband
adoring his wife. He prospered fairly
well and happy home was built up.
Now the wife writes the following let
ter to a relative.
1T may seem strange to you, but
to me ii seems that all the JOY OF life
has been blotted out to never return.
When we first came here we boarded
and as soon as we were able to save
little money we bought some furniture
and began to keep house in rented
rooms. But we both wanted so much
a home of our own and as Ms salary
was increased we tried to save all we
could to make a beginning. At last
we bought a lot and built four rooms
so that they could be added to when
we were able Before we built any
more we bought three more lots, so we
had a quarter o. block. We were
so happy. M and would plan how
we were to arrange the rooms to be
added and how it should be large
enough for us and the four children
with a spare room for friends who
should come to visit us. Then we built
the rooms and planted out trees ana
flowers and shrubs. M and | would
sit on the porch, partly covered with
climbing roses, while the children
played on the lawn. l often thought
that | was too happy and that some
thing would happen to destroy it all.
Then I would think that nothing can
happen, unless it be sickness and
death, for M had permanent place
and was drawing a large salary and
has a paid-up policy of life insurance
for $4,000 But it has come in way
that never could have imagined.
ON had some spare money and he
grub-staked prOspector about a
year ago. This man has found great
mine of gold and M and he have
teen offered $1,000000 for it aud re-
fused to sell. The very richest ore is
being taken out of the mine and NJ
has, don't know how much money in
the bank. I used to keep all accounts
and knew every dollar that we had
but while M asked me to take charge
of it as | used to do with his salary
it was so much that l was afraid. M
wants to build a great big house in a
hi Of nit "
cry time think of it, it seems that my
heart will break. We built this house
one might say, with our own hands
The sweetest memories cling to every
brick and board and nails. | think al
the time when M and I planted thai
climbing rose that now nearly covers
the porch and how happy we were
in contemplation of seeing it grow
So it is with everything on the lawn
I feel as if it would kill me to go ant
live in a great big house and have {
lot of servants.
"There is another thing that makes
me very unhappy. | have had some
very dear friends who were nice PEG
ole and in circumstances like our own
Since they have begun to call NJ
a millionaire they are shy and the
f,ond OF freedom and friendship tina
has bound us together seems broken
In the old times l could run over tt
any one of three or four houses in :
perfectly informal manner. Now the!
seem to want to pay some sort o
Difference to me-look up to me as i
were-as though I belonged to a diff
ferent grade of society. THAT is ON
of the very hardest things of all.
en- is still kind to me. but it seems
as if I were losing him, too. HI
bought me diamond ring and cost
ly brooch. l tried to feel like | uset
to when he brought me little mex
rensive presents, and with which
was always so delighted, but I coul'
not. l just went to my room AM
cried until had raging headache.
"Still another thing is the children
Harry is twelve years old. He ha
heard that his father is millionaire
and he begins to be overbearius ant
imperious with the children Of Thu
neighborhood with whom he has al
ways been on the best of terms, and il
no longer satisfied with the pleasure
re- orr onoo rlain LITTLE homo T an