The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-02-23
CHAPTER VI.
The Arrival at Dukesboro.


bereaved widow and her helpless child,
drove into the town of Dukesboro. and
halted his team in front of the best
hotel of which the town could boast
After assisting Mrs. Saint Clair and
her child from the wagon. he conduct
ed them TO the ladies' parlor, and re-
surning held a brief consultation with
che proprietor of the place.
A servant was sent to conduct Mrs.
Saint Clair to her room and immedi-
ately the remains of the late Mr.. Saint
Clair were given into the hands Of
an undertaken with directions to pre-
pare them for burial.
In their journey Of twelve miles
Mrs. Saint Clair had grown sufficient
upon reaching Dukesboro. which
traveller whom they had met on the
road, informed them was a town of
ffteen hundred inhabitants.
Her husband having. before they
left the state Of their nativity, dispos-
cd of all his property, she had plenty
Of money with her for all emergencies,
and she decided to bury her husband
temporarily in Dukesboro, dispose of
her team and camping outfit, and with
her child proceed on her way to Flor
ida.
II cannot endure to return to my
old home with this burden Of sorrow
fresh upon my heart l shall go to
new scenes and with Gods help try
TO find strength sufficient to bear i:
for my childs sake" she said pathet-
ically to her sympathetic listener.
Late in the afternoon of their ar
rival in Dukesboro a small funeral
cortege wound it's way down the prin-
cipal street to the peaceful shades IF
Mount Calvary cemetery, and just as
their long quivering arrows of light
across the well kept sward. poor Allen
Saint Clair was gently laid to rest
in the bosom of mother earth.
The next day John busted himsel
N disposing of the effects which the
widow wished to sell and so interest
ed did he become in his mission of
brotherly love that for the moment his
own exile and sorrow was forgotten.
On the fourth day aft Mr.. Saint
Clair's funeral everything was in
readiness for the widow to proceed
on her lonely journey toward the sun
ny skies of Florida. She paid all
the bills which she had contract ed
since coming to Dukesboro. and then
pressed a hundred dollar bill into
Johns hand which he flushing up to
the very roots of his brown hair, de-
clined to take.
DO not misunderstood me dear
friend, for such you have been to me
in the few sad days since / have known
you. Money can never discharge nv
Indebtedness to you, and / pray that
you may remember that as long as ]
live, you will possess a friend who
will gladly render you any assistance
within my power to give. Howeve:.
do not pain me, implore you, by re-
fusing this small token of my esteem
and gratitude. If you do not need
the money yourself you will be sure
10 meet with objects of charity upon
which it may be wisely spent. Take
it for my and little olives sake" Mrs
Saint Clair said, with much feeling, as
she again pressed the money into the
boys reluctant hand.
With only a murmured word of
thanks-not trusting himself To say
more-he slipped the bill into his vest
pocket, and stopping picked up the
little girl who. while her mother had
been talking, stood with her chubby
arms wound around Johns legs, and
Missing her warm, rosy cheeks fondly,
he led the way to the carriage which
stood in readiness to take Mrs. Saint
Clair and her child to the depot. On
the way thither, John sat with the
little girl clasped to his lonely aching
heart. The lovely childe had COM
pletely won his boyish heart, and
lonely indeed the future appeared to
his mental vision. deprived of this
sunbeam that had suddenly and brief
ly fallen across his life
I'VE may never meet again" Mrs.
st. Clair said tearfully. as they stood
in the waiting room awaiting the ar
rival of the cars. but 1 shall never
forget you-and l do not think that
Olive ever will. She loves you dear
ly and believe that by talking to
her of you she will remember you al
ways.
The cars with "a snort and roar
from the engine came slowly putting,
up to the platform and John con-
Quoted Mrs. Saint Clair to a comfor-
table place in the coach and placed
the child beside her, then STOPPING
gave the little one A fond lingering