Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-03-23

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ing that 1t was unpleasant, among some
who were hardly above absolute poverty
But this did not give Mary Alston. who
had been reared in a desolate home. so
much uneaslness as the sight of well
frequented 'Grocerey,' near the dwelling
of Cart Leedsy, the committee man who
had engaged her services, where she first
went to board Mary wondered wha,
could support such an establishment there
but she soon found out the secret
There was steep. high and precpitous
ridge OF hills IN the neighborhood one of
which is somewhat celebrated as the first
iand made by mariners, when coming upon
our coast. although ten or fifteen miles
from the Sound This bill was occasional
ly visited by hunters. and parties Of pleas
ure; ; while the small lake beside it. full
OF fine fish, attracted the lovers of Izaak
Walton amusements, from miles around
Il he wildness of the place. with its steep
precipices, dark ravincs, and Il gloomy ce.
dar swamp of some hundred of acres ad
joining. furnished plenty of hiding places
Tor Wild birds and game. and made it
delectabie beating ground for sportsmen
tor miles around. Aud what could be
more natural. after hard days sport, up
on the lake or hill than to call at the store
close by. for refreshments
The Capt. was a very feeling man, and
always meant to be hosptable The pub
he good demanded. that somebody should
Keep something to allay the public thirst ;
and III case of need, the Capt's larder
could supply something To satisfy a crav-
ing appetite, and he could, also. some
tunes, furnish poor travellers with a lodg-
ing, III case of sickness. or accident al
though he did not pretend to keep tavern
only a store.
: Mary soon understood all this and she
saw, too, that many of the regular custom
: ers at the store had dark skins and she
soon began to feel as if her school house
was too near the most frequented thor
oughtare between two detached portions
OF Que of the few remaining New England
tribes of Indians, who are now such a
mixture of negro, aud other races. as to
have few specimens of the pure wild Indi-
: an blood remaining
Many of these half breeds followed the
!, sea. and when. after Drawing the dangers
CT the deep for many weary months. they
returned TO their homes to enjoy the fruit
of their toll. sometimes bringing hundreds
OF dollars, II was singular to see how soon
1t was spent. and how large part of the
whole sum found its way into the Capt S
till. While this money lasts, the sailor is
, generous, and when one was in port they
would flock to the store IN crowds drink
ing and carouslng. and seldom going home
sober aud many time did Mary have
reason to trcmbie, when meeting these de
graded specimens OF humanity alone or in
small parties-hailooiug fighting. and
| singing drunken songs, and ready for any
mischief that CHANGED to come in their
r way. When their money was all gone
they would pawn all their clothes, food
and cooking utensils, that would sell land
there was very little that would not sell at
} the store.) for liquor. and then, as last
resort the men would be obliged to ship
again and the women and children stroll
} ed round the country begging, or were
helped by the 'Overseer'
Mary. from these causes, soon became
!, so fearful that she seldom remained i'll her
school room after the children had left it.
but went directly home with them, aud
this left her fewer hours for study than
she would otherwise have gained as a
country school mistress is supposed to un-
derstand all about fine needle workout
ting chlldren'S clotbes--neig gh borhood gos-
: sip, aud various other matters and ber
skill ~ these branches of art is too fire.
: quentiy called into requisiticn, for her
own benefit Mary improved what time
) she could get, however, and, during the
: Summer, managed to get a considera Bile
addition to her stock of know ledge, not
only of human nature, but books, and
| in this way the summer waned, till only
another day remained Of her term
The afternoon oefu.e the last day of her
, school, Mary dismissed her scholars early
!. that she might have time to prepare varl.
Gus little presents, to leave as remem
, brauce with the children to whom she had
become much attached
, After they were gone, she sat down to
) her interesting task. with her mind so full
: ly occupied by remembrances of the past.
, and plans for the future. that she entirely
forgot her past fears, till the flushing
touch was put to the last pretty trifle, aud
they were all neatly slowed away in her
desk. Then. az she looked out of the west
window she saw that the sun bad nearly
set and she thought that Mrs. Leedsy,
who was to be her entertainer that night.
would be delaying her supper; so she
hurriediy put on her bonnet. took down
the door key. and was turning towards the
door, when shadow crossing the light.
, she looked up, and to her horror saw a
grim form darkening the window, and a
pair of fierce eyes peering into the room
where she was All her fears now return
, ed with tenfold force but she was a brave
res9lute girl. and resolved to defend her
self against harm. if any was intended -
: She cas-. quick glance around, to ascer
, tain her means of defence, aud instantly
formed her plan.
: There was nothing with which to fasten
the door. upon the inside, but quick as
: thought. she sprang into the eutry. and
placed her sharp pointed scissors firmly
above the latch, and then listened in
breathless suspense; but she had not long
to wait There was no knock as she knew
there would be from an honest person !;
h,t the STRENGTH of her fas -e,,iu0 was soon