Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-05-25
5 tlrttFo 5li5ttllanr.
G r 4 C E Il ERRJLL.
Z Y NJ. A. DENISON.

II was four o'clock, the quiet hour in
the country when maid and mistress rest
from their labor, while the kettle sings
over the bright blaze, and the cat purs on
the hearth IN dozy, delightful comfort.
The brown hands of little Grace HIer-
rill flew forth and back, as the slender
needle formed stitch after stitch on the
fine cambrlc that flied her lap, and hung
over the BRAIDED mat of many colors at
her feet. Grace was beautiful only In
expression, and the peculiar softness and
melting light of her dark eyes. Her hair
was banded lack and fell in a few shin
lag curls down her neck, reaching to the
ruflic OF her white dress. Grace was not
the only occupant Of the kitchen, for on a
huge, yellow seltee sat Glen Clarke. the
finest young farmer in the country. Care
lessi~ lounging with a lurking smile on
his handsome lips, his thoughts did not
seem 10 be intent upon the paper he held
He was not ia reality reading il, but coz
nlng pleasant poems from the sweet face
of the village maiden, who, cunning crea-
ture, knew all the Time he must be look
IAg at her; but no one would have thot
II 50 iunJcently unconcious, with a maid
eulv affection, did she seem. In another
part Of the kitchen sat a hale, square,
shouldered farmer with snowy hairs mix
ed among his brown locks. a calm beniu-
nifty resting Oh what would he thought an
elevated style Of countcnauce. His eyes
were closed, his head thrown back, and
he was evidently enjoying 4 quiet nap
He reposed IN one Of the most antique Of
arm chairs. His pipe, burnt out, laid
lightly in the grasp OF his nerveiess fnr-
ers, and little white kitten slept at his
feet, her pr, tty paws and head resting on
his leather brogan.
Old dame Merrill was there also, and
watched her husbands light sIumber with
atiectionate solicitude as she busted her
fingers with her knitting needles, and Of
ten she cast a pleased glance at the young
couple. Grace and Glen Clarke.
:. What in the world ais Parson Ing
alls g" cried Grace, casting a frightened
glance in the direction Of the kitchen
window
Truly, what does all HIM, echoed
Glen Clarke, starting from his seat
- what hreak-uecb pace he IS actually
running"
Through The open door and along the
well trodden path bordercd with briar-
roses, one could discern a. the head of the
Z lane. a tall, finely formed man, hurrying
towards the house AT the utmost of his
speed.
/" What has happened? something
wrong al the parsonage, | shouldn't won
der" cried the old lady, tucking away
her knitting needles, while al that mo-
ment the old farmer, reused from his
. s!urnber, opened hls gray eyes and JOIN
ed with the rest in looking at the minister
who was Just gaining the porch over the
door
Liule Grace, who was by every one
called the minister's pet, from the great
consideration he had always shown her
gathered up the wide fields Of cambricin-
10 as small 4 compass as possible, and the
bushes on her cheek grew deeper as he
entered; for she though, he had come to
say something about her wedding, which
he had been notified was to take place III
JUS week from that very day. Enter
ing The house with an excited manner
and a face worked upon by a strong agi-
jauon, The minister needed not the query
of dame Merrill, nor the disturbed glances
Of the others, but hurrvIng toward Grace,
he caught her hand, gazed with yearn-
4 ing tenderness into her sweet, dark eyes,
and then. with q tremulous voice, exelaim-
ed, . My dear, my darling child = and
caught her inpulsively to his bosom.
Grace gate faint cry; pale and
/ frightened, she knew not what TO do
Glen Clarke sprang forward with fash.
ing eyes and a passionate voice, his whole
frame shaking as he shouted, 4. Wha
does this mean Parson Ingalls,! are yor
mad 2" and he seized the pastor by his
coat collar.
"Glen Clarke" exclaimed the latter
in broken voice, - am husband ant
a father; do YOU think would do an un
/ tseemly act towards your affianced bride