Clemson University - Taps Yearbook (Clemson, SC)

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THE CLEMSOX COLLEGE CHRONICLE 373 This advertisement met the gaze of Henry Robertson, manager of the Excelsior Mines, as he hastily glanced over some papers that had just come from Southampton. By the same mail, he had received unexpected summons to re- turn to England on important business, when the boat sailed for home. As the deepening twilight rendered reading im- possible, and as he did not wish to have the lamps lighted early, he drew his chair by an open window to enjoy the evening breeze. Musing, his thoughts reverted to the notice he had just read; one idea suggested another, until finally having, seemingly, arrived at some definite conclusion, he said half aloud, It ' s worth the trouble; I ' ll try it. Arriving in England, and having transacted the business for which he had been called home, Henry thought again of the possible reward in store for him. The following after- noon, he presented himself at the office of Bailey Brooks. On presenting his card, he was ushered into the presence of Mr. Bailey, the senior member of the firm. Having stated his mission, he drew from his pocket the photograph that for years had lain on the heart of Gentle- man Jim. The old solicitor adjusted his glasses, moved nearer to the light, and gazed intently at the picture before him. ' Yes, yes, he said, half to himself, ' ' that is surely the face of Alice Mordaunt as she looked before she cast love from her, broke a good man ' s heart, and sold herself into gilded misery — well, I suppose ' the jingle of the guinea helps the hurt that honor feels. ' Then turning to Henry, he thus began ; Young man, you have earned the reward offered for knowledge of Sir James Gordon. I deeply regret the tidings that you bear ; they can but bring sorrow to those who loved that noble boy. It is only just that I should tell you something of his his- tory ;

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372 THE CLEMSON COLLEGE CHRONICLE ure seemed to be in teaching them when his day ' s work was over. When sickness desolated the village, Jim was the gentle nurse, who went from home to home, soothing the sick, comforting the dying, and caring for those whose dear ones or main-stay had been summoned to the great beyond. During the last rainy season, fears were entertained for the safety of the mines. Late one afternoon as the men were nearing the opening of the Baby mine, a crash was heard that struck terror to the hearts of those on whose ears it fell. All the miners had emerged to the light of day, ex- cept Bill McKormick, a widow ' s only son, and Jim. Real- izing their impending fate as they neared the opening, Jim caught the boy with a giant grasp, and hurled him clear of danger. Then, with deafening noise, the shaft fell in. When the rocks and timbers were cleared away, they bore Jim ' s body to the light. Rough miners gently laid him on the turf; with tear-dimmed vision, they opened his shirt to see the wounds that had killed him. On his blood-stained bosom they found a small case, containing the picture of a fair young girl, and a card on which was pinned a withered rose; beneath it had been written all perished, except the thorn. They laid him to rest near the beach, where he had loved to wander. The waves of the restless ocean sound his requiem and the rays of the setting sun seem to linger caress- ingly on the wooden slab that toil-stained but loving hands erected to the memory of one who had died for his fellow-man. o J »!» 1 - ' - %lf 1 »j» Jf+ x Jf f ioo reward for information that will lead to the where- abouts of Sir James Gordon, second son of Sir William rdon, Bart., of L — shire, England; was thought to have sailed on the Sea Gull, when she left England nearly four years ago. Communicate with Bailey Brooks, solicitors. London, Eng.

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374 THE CLEMSON COLLEGE CHRONICLE Sir James was the second son of Sir William Gordon, and was a general favorite with all who knew him. For years he had been engaged to Alice Mordaunt, whose father owned property that joined Sir William ' s lands. Though James possessed only the meagre income of a second son, all of his friends predicted much happiness for the fair girl he had won. Shortly before the marriage was to have taken place, the eldest son, Sir Cecil, returned from his travels on the Continent. It was soon evident that the course of true love no longer ran smooth, and few were astonished to hear that Miss Alice had broken the engagement, and would soon wed Sir Cecil. James lingered in England until after the marriage was celebrated. Some say that he was in church during the ceremony, though not among the wedding guests. Shortly after he disappeared, and none have heard tidings of him until this day. The reason for this advertisement was that Sir Cecil had been suddenly killed while on a fox hunt, and dying without heirs, it was necessary to seek his only brother. Fate did not reward Alice for her perfidy; she could not purchase the happiness she had denied another. It is but just that she should suffer even as she made that youth whose ' Glorious, chivalric deed Shall not perish as long as men hold this creed — That the hero whose blood for his kind is shed Wins a deathless fame and an honored bed; A monument grander than sculptor e ' er gave, In the glory that hallows the martyr ' s grave. ' G. D. L., ' 03. Another Reply In spite of a natural dislike for controversy, I fed that I