Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 196: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THRICE WEDDED, 187 calling me away on business. I went, bidding you a fond ‘sood-by,’ but expecting to see you again in two or three days at most. My business took me aboard a vessel, where I met a friend who was just ready to sail for California; or, at least, he was ready to start in afew days. He urged me strongly to accompany him, and I was sorely tempted to give: him the desired promise, for he pictured in glowing colors the fortunes so easily made in the land of gold. Finaily I left him, promising to go home and talk it over with you, and if you consented, 1 would join him before the vessel sailed. ia “Tt seemed such a good opportunity that I longed to im- prove it. And then I wasso poor! I could not give you the comforts and luxuries which you seemed so fitted to en- joy, and I knew it would take years to gain them plodding on in the old routine of life. All the way home I planned how I would work and save the year or two I intended to spend in California—for I thought that sufficient time in which to make a fortune where gold was so plenty. I would deny myself everything, that I might gain a competence for — my darlings; then home again on the wings of love, and the earnest welcome I should receive. ‘Then I would build a palace fit for my treasures, and spend the rest of our days in peace and plenty. “Charming picture! But how quickly its’ bright and slowing colors vanished and faded from my sight! ‘<On entering our little home, eager to clasp you and my boy to my heart, I found it deserted. I searched every room, but no wife’s glad smile greeted me; no baby’s chubby arms were outstretched, eager to come to me. At last, in your work-basket, I found a closely written letter, saying that you had gone back to your home to stay—that you did not love me, as I had believed you did, and that you could not longer live in the presence of one who constantly made you unhappy. You said you never wished to see my face again, and that I was free from.that moment to go where J chose. You closed your cruel letter by positively forbid- ding me to seek you, saying you should not see me if I did; neither would you allow me to send you money, as you could not look for support from one whom you did not love. : | “Hush, dearest, till I have finished,” he said, as she would haye interrupted him, <S Gomileboo €o