The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-07-22
MANITOWOC, WIS. JULY %, 1859.

fine looking black whiSkered gentleman,
whom I supposed to be my namesake,
rushed down the steps. There were loud
exclarnations of astonishment and pleasure
cordial welcome, and some rapid ques-
tions. in reply to which Florence returned
very low and quiet answers, and quickly
extricating herself from the confusion,
present me as "hfr. LIE Roy, your hus-
bands namesake, and the gentleman who
kindly took charge ofme." l glanced at
her face to see if she were mocking me,
but it was pale and grave. Mrs. LIE Roy
opened her pretty eyes widely, but was too
we'll bred to express surprise, and after in
PRODUCING me to her husband in the same
terms, invited me then into the house.
Hardly conscious of what did, or anything
except that was still in the presence Of
Florence, from which I could not endure
to Danish myself, l followed them into
handsome paror, where sat an old lady,
who my conscience told me was the rheu
matte aunt [ had SO cruelty belied. Flor
ence, herself, presented me to this lady,
who was fixture, and unable to rise from
her chair, and before | could stammer an
apology, and retire, related in her own
way chow different from mine,) the mis-
take by which she had been placed in my
care, and the history of the journey in
which it appeared that our host, Mr.. LIE
Roy had been fellow passenger. When
she had ended, they all crowded about me,
warmly expressing thanks for my "kind-
ness and consideration" to my utter be-
wilderment and surprise, and cordially in
viting me to remain with them, and make
the acquaintance of my namesake and
family. | detached myself from all this
unexpected kindness as soon as I could, for
fanced | read aversion in the flushing
and paling face, and dropping eyes of Flor
ence, and with one last look at her. left
the room. A moment after, Ifelt the light
touch of hand upon my arm, and turning,
saw with mute surprise, that she had fol
lowed me into the vestibule.
"Mr. lie Roy" said she hurriedly, a
cannot let you go away misunderstanding
me as | see you do. If was silent while
you so humbly apologized for the noble,
generous and honorable delicacy of your
conduct, it was not from anger, S;c@!!!eVe
me, but because I was at first too much
astonished, afterwards too much moved
and grateful to speak. | owe you more
than [ can say, and should be miserable,
indeed, if false shame, which you see has
not prevented my telling you this, should
prevent you from continuing an acquaint-
ance so strangely begun. Trust me, sir, |
speak all the truth"
| don't know what answer | made, for
the revulsion of feeling was almost too
great for words, and the rapture Of know
ing as | looked down into her lovel y face,
that it was not for the last time, quite took
away the little sense | had remaining. If
you want to know how | felt, ask man
who is going to be hung, how he would
feel to be reprieved.
Well how time flies 1t does not seem
five years since all this happened, yet
Cousin Jennie (my Cousin Jennie, now
so bitterly reproaches us in her last letter,
for not visiting her in all that time, that
we have undertaken the journey, but under
| different auspices, since Florence is Flor
ence Dundard no more, and sleeps upon
my arm In the cars, no longer hlushingly,
but with the confidence of wife of nearly
five years standing, and | register our
names in the hotel book, as "Mr. and
Mrs Chester lie Roy" and bless my lucky
stars as I read it over. Even while these
words are penned, Florence, lovelier than
ever, as it seems, makes a grand pretence
of Arranging our baggage at the hotel
where we stop, (and which has reminded
me, by past transactions, to write down
this story or comes leaning over me to
call me "dear Chester" instead of " dear
Cousin Frank as five years before, and
to scold NE for being SO stupid as to sit
and write, instead of talking to her.-Stu-
pid, indeed, to prefer black pen to those
rosy lips. Was ever man SO happy in
Slight Mistake"