Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-07-24
How / Came
10 Marry
Bv ALLAN G.. LAMOND


to prospect together. Mansfield had
left motuHr and sister, 10 whom he
was much attached. Unfortunately his
mother had received an injury to one
of her eyes. and since her sons depnr-
ture for the west ii had extended TO
the other eye, ana 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,
if 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 If he
could get home he would not be able
to get back again. He was II reSoutc
fellow ana hvcrSc 10 giving up what
he had undertaken namely to 90 back,
If ever he did 90 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 Mt last sue
ceeded in striking dirt that promised
to pay. While we were getting 1t into
shape to secure capital with which TO
work 1t Mansfield was taken sick. He
was II! Il long while ana during this
time wrote letters for him to his
mother ana sister In these letters, ut
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 u mine Of
value and would soon 90 cnSt with n
view to forming II company to work It,
The poor fellow did not recover He
asked me before he died to make
over his share In our mine to his moth |
or and sister and II possible go east.
AZ he had hoped 10 do. and either sell
the mine or organize "A company. as |
might be able Drending the shock of
his death on his mother. he asked me
to keep up the deception till | should
go east ana arrange with his sister for
breaking the sud news to his mother,
found m opportunity to sell out for
100000 ana awaited myself of It, If | |
had held on the property would have
made me very rich, but | was tired Of
the deception ! was practclng and |
knew my late partners mother ana sis
ter were very poor. Taking their share
OF the proceeds with me- ! went mt
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 ut
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 Mildred was her
namc-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 II condition TO
bear 1t 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 II very lovely
v,
and II was II matter OF satisfaction |
that was enabled To turn over to her
her brothers share In what had real.
lied for the mine.
One day, desiring to consult with
Mildred, went to her house to see her
| 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 1t 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 n hugglng and weeping that
were almost hysterical
THE mine is sold. mother" | said,
land my share Is $4,000 It's all in
bank right here In this town"
I'm very happy" she said through
her tears, though can't see You, You
must stay here always and So long rs
l live neither You nor your sister must
marry, but live here for me and each
other"
Mildred was too embarrassed by this
to make II reply, so | was obliged to
make 1t myself
YES, mother We will 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 hcr OK,
element" and went downstairs
We'll un \Nnro In for II NOW Ipnnnr
than ever. or course | was obliged to
take up my quarters in the house, and
since Mrs. Mansfield was blind Ms n
bat she was not available for Il chaper,
on. We talked over the matter ~
telling her the truth. and finally said;
why not let her remain in igno
rance? We can he married, and that
Win nlnkn Il MI rimh1 fnl. nln In NAn