The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1913-07-10
How | Came
to Mary.
By ALLAN C. LAMOND

was much attached. Unfortunately his
| mother had received an injury to one
| Of her eyes, and since her sons depar-
| ture for the west 1t had extended to
| the other eye. and she was gradually
| becoming blind.
The letters she wrote Mansfield were
| pathetic. She hoped that he might be
with her again, but she did not hope
to see him. His sister wrote him that,
| II possible. he should come home that
his mother might see him once more
before losing her sight. But he had
no money for the journey. and II he
could get home he would not be able
to get back again. He was resolute
fellow and averse to giving up what
he had undertaken namely, TO go back.
If ever he did go back, with fortune
| was no better off than Mansfield.
We wandered about with picks on
our shoulders wherever we believed
there might be gold and at last sue
ceeded In striking dirt that promised
to pay. While we were getting 1t into
shape to secure capital with which to
work it Mansfield was taken Sick He
was i'll long while. and during this
time | wrote letters for him to his
mother and sister. In these letters, at
his request. | forged his handwriting
that they might not suspect that he
was unable to write them himself.
Furthermore, he charged me to tell
them that he had struck mine OF
value and would soon 90 east with
view to forming a company to work 1t.
The poor fellow did not recover. He
asked me before he died to make
over his share in our mine to his moth
err and sister and II possible go east,
as he had hoped to do. and either sell
the mine or organize company. as
might be able. Dreading the shock or
his death on his mother he asked me
to keep up the deception till | should
90 east and arrange with his sister for
breaking the sad news to his mother.
found an opportunity TO sell out for
$4,000 and availed myself of 1t. IL
had held on the property would have
made me very rich, but | was tired of
the deception | was practicing and
knew my late partners mother and SIS
ter were very poor. Taking their share
OF the proceeds with me. | went at
once to the town in which they lived.
On my arrival | sent messenger to
Miss Mansfield to tell her that her
brothers partner had arrived with
news of him, but cautioning her to say
nothing about me to her mother until
had had an opportunity to see her.
She appointed meeting with me at
the home OF one Of her friends. | went
there and told her the bad news | had
for her.
To her grief was added the fact that
her mother, who had now become quite
blind, was looking for her son every
day. Her daughter-Midred was her
name--was in agony at the idea Of i'm
parting the news to her. She could
not think OF doing so at the time, for
the old lady was not in condition to
bear It. So we arranged between us
that until she was better | was to
write letters as before, putting off the
son and brothers arrival.
Mildred Mansfield was a very lovely
girl. | sympathized with her deeply,
and 1t was n matter of satisfaction
that was enabled to turn over to her
her brothers share in what l had real
ICED for the mine.
One day. desiring to consult with
Mildred, went to her house to see her.
i could see no risk OF revealing the
true situation in doing so. But the old
lady, who was In her room above.
heard my voice below and got it into
her head that was her son. The
idea occurred to Mildred Of permit
ting her mother to believe me to be
her son, and | saw no objection to the
plan. SO went upstairs and submit
ted to hugglng and weeping that
were almost hysterical.
The mine is sold. mother" said.
land my share is S25 900. It's all In
bank right here in this town"
I'm very happy she said through
her tears, though | cant see you You
must stay here always. and so long as
| live neither you nor your sister must
marry, but live here for me and each
other"
Mildred was too embarrassed by this
to make reply, 50 | was obliged to
make 1t myself.
Eyes, mother We viii live only for
you and each other"
was looking at Mildred when | said
this, and she raised her eyes and blush.
ed. Then she said, You'd better give
mother time to recover from her ex.
element" and went downstairs.
Well, we were in for 1t now deeper
than ever. or course | was obliged to
take up my quarters I'm the house. and
since Mrs. Mansfield was blind rs a
bat she was not available for chaper.
on. We talked over the matter of
telling her the truth, and finally said
why not let her remain In igno
rance? We can be married. and that
will make II all right for me to live
here. After your mothers death. II
you wish 1t. will help you to get the
marriage annullcd"
SO we had wedding ceremony per.
formed jlst to enable ny to deceive
Mrs. Mansfield for her own good. and
when she died we concluded to let the
marriage stand. And that's the way
| ! came to be n married man today and
the father of seven chldrcn--just to
avoid giving mn old lady on the brink
| or the grave n shock.