Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1919-02-27
The True Friend
By Ohllia Frances Pteiifer
tcopyrisht. 1915. Western Newspaper unionl

II give up the struggle. There does
not appear to be ray OF hope. pres
ent or future"
Warren Burr uttered a deep sigh and
folded up one-sheet memoranda he
had been looking over. IL contained
the names of a dozen or more persons
ana a pencil line was drawn through
most of them.
Il won't try to see the others, lac
soliloquized. ut would be no use.
There isn't one of those relatives who
has not received favors from me in
the past"
Burr went To the little railway de
pot at Hopeton to find that he had
missed the last train north, the direc-
ton he was going in. He made an in
qulry as to a hotel. There was none.
Then, suddenly, memory flashed a to-
ken Of the past across his mind.
~ wonder what ever became of the
Bertrams?' he cogitated. when Da-
vid Bertram, my old partner, died,
sent trile to his widow, for | heard
that he had left her none too well pro-
vided with this worlds goods | Won
der if the family still live here" and
he proceeded to make inquiries.
Yes. he was told Mrs Bertram had
two little children and with her aged
mother lived in the old homestead
Burr's informant spoke of Mrs. Bert
ram with good deal of zest and ad-
miration.
"A fine, capable woman" ran the
encomium. 'When her husband died
1t wasn't a very easy road for her for
time but she managed to pull
through with perseverance and indus
try. She's cleared the home let a
neighbor work her eighty acres on
shares, makes quite bit out of her
orchard and berry patch and is getting
along finely"
Burr was sincerely glad of the good
news, He had known Leila Bertram
when she was a girl lie and her hus-
band had been the closest of friends.
He was not disappointed in his hope
and faith. Neat and still girlish in
some of her ways Mrs. Bertram rec.
ocnized him at once.
For one bright happy evening mt
least Warren Burr forgot his troubles,
and they were serious ones. He had
been liberal man with the fortune
left to him five years previously. There
gria al I. a
not benefited through his beneyolence.
He settled down finally with what he
deemed was sufficient TO provide for
him the rest of his life. Later he be-
came interested in project for Sc
curing from the bed of three rivers
where they came 10 a confluence. a
gritty deposit which gave 10 cement
an adheSi,eneSS aud stability of great
value. He bought UP all rights. went
out for orders and received more than
he could till-built his grinding plant,
and after investing his last dollar in
the world was told by the house he
had bought his engine from, that the
last seven hundred dollars due on Il
NlHNt nv pau h'i'f lliNe "ouiu III
stall It,
Then Ii was that Burr had gone
among his relatives to raise the last
thousand dollars that would place the
coping stone on his enterprise, to
meet with bitter disappointment as
noted. The only bright spot in his
waudcriugS and useless opportunities
was that quiet. pleasant evening at
the home Of the Bertrams. The com
fort, the contentment, the influence of
kindly, honest hearts, made him wish
he might cast aside all his dreams of
fortune and forget his troubles amidst
such congenial and ideal environ
ment. He had announced his intend.
ed departure the next morning when,
having sent the children to school aad
her mother busy in the kitchen. Leila
Bertram came into the little parlor
and sat down opposite her guest In a
nalpahly disturbed and constrained
way. Finally she spoke
MIR Burr, ! do not wish to intrude
upon your personal affairs, but I know
YOU are having some deep trouble. |
hope amid the same that you viii not
forget the friendship my dear husband
fclt for you pcrpetuated with those Of
us who survive him Mghtut my help.
my counsel relieve you of your heavy
load2"
It was SO kindly said that Burr could
not resist free confession. Mrs.
Eertram regarded him with a compass.
siouate interest that stirred him deep
H. She arose silently went into an
other room aud returned with time
WORN ohlung envelope which she ten
lcred him.
what is thisf" te-inquired in some
wonder
"Do you remember after my hus-
baud died srudiu- me u thouSaud-dol-
lor government houd to help me out
If my troubles as the widow Of your
oil partner" reminded Mrs Bertram.
Il newer disposed Of IT, bur oh the
many close corners II helped me to
turn us ecuriiy 70 my creditors. his a
sst.., s.tE#t ssn..s4sts. y.s.,tYg4 T.