“ [438] history. There's no time for a long story. Come at once to the gist of the thing, Spaddon — about your wife-catching, you know.” “Very well, sir; though I'd rather-but no matter. I was married seven years ago, sir, before I went into the marines. I traded in horses then. I was only twenty, and my wife hardly seventeen. Her father kept a livery stable in-never mind the place. She was a beauty, sir. Well, sir, in about a year her father broke all to smash, and cleared out. Then I got into a cursed bad streak of luck, and---. Well, sir, there's no use hiding it; I got into jail for horse-stealing. But I swear to you I was--” “Innocent, no doubt. I'll believe you without proof; only get on.” “No!” said Spaddon, gravely;
I was not innocent, but I was the tool of sharper men. No matter. I lay in jail a year, and then got pardoned out. When I went to seek my wife she was gone, and I could not find a trace, sir, not a trace. Well, sir, there I was-money gone, wife gone, character gone! What to do? I got drunk next day, and the next I 'listed into the marines. I served my term there, still hearing nothing of Jane, and came out of it as I went into it, an unhappy man, sir. Then the Rebellion broke out. But I thought no more of enlisting. My father had died and left me a little money without wishing it. That is, he had forgot to make a will, and I was the only child living, and mother long gone. It wasn't much; but I didn't care. But one day I met a friend. He was a soldier, and had been a prisoner in the South, and just got back. “ Tom,” says he, “ I saw Jane in Richmond.”