White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-01-13

and she knew that everybody knew it
yet SO long as she was not in. absolute
want, and the poor-house. that bugbeal
of honest poverty, was yet far distant
she managed to keep . cheelfnl heart, and
visited her neighbors on terms of entire
equality. .-.f-zr,
At this time Walter Kinloch's wife
died, leaving an only child. During her
sickness, Mrs. Branning had been sent fol
to act as nurse, and temporary housekeep-
err, aud, at the urgent request of the
widower, remained for time after the
funeral. Weeks passed, and her house
was still tenantless. Mildred had become
SO much attached to the mothorly widow
and her son, that she would not allow the
servants to do anything for her. So,
without any definite agreement, their re-
lations continued. By-and-by the village
gossips began to query and surmise. At
the sewing society the matter was fully
discussed. :.... ..-.-.
Mrs. Greenfield, the doctors wife, adj
mitted that it would be an excellent match,
'.jest a child apiece, both on 'em well
brought up, used to good company, and
all that but, lands sakes he, with his
mint O. money. amt a-goin' to marry
poor widaer that ha'n't got nothin' but
her husbands pictur' and her boy-not
he l'
Others insinuatel that Mrs. Branning
knew what she was about when she went
to Squire Kinloch's, and his wife was
most gone with consumption. "Twasn't
mite strange that little Mildred took to
her so kindly; plenty of women could
| find ways to please child, if so be they
could have such chance to please them
selves" -
The general opinion seemed to be that
Mrs. Brahning would marry the Squire,
if she could get him; but that as to his
intentions. the matter was quite doubtful
Nevertheless, after being talked about for
a year. the parties were duly published,
married, and settled down into the quiet
routine of country life. ..r
Doubtless the accident of daily contact
was the secret of the match. Had Mrs.
Branning been livinr in her own poorly
furnished house, Mr.. Kinloch would hard
ly have thought of going to seek her
But as mistress of his establishment she
had an opportunity to display her house
wifely qualities. as well as to practice
those nameless arts by which almost any
clever woman knows how to render her.
self agreeable.
The first favorable impression deepened,
until the widower came to believe that the
whole parish did not contain so proper
person to be the successor of Mrs. Kin
loch, as his housekeeper. Their union,
though childless, was as happy as COM
mon; there was nothing of the romance
of first ttachment-little of the tender
ness that springs from fresh sensibilities,
for she at least was of "a matter-of-fact
turn. But there was constant and
hearty good feeling, resulting from mutual
kindness and Difference.
If the step mother made any difference
in her treatment of the two children, it
was in favor eff the gentle Mildred. And
though the Squire naturally felt more af-
fiction for his motherless daughter, yet
he was proud Of his step-son, gave him
the advantages of the best schools, and
afterwards sent him for year to college
But the lads spirits were too buoyant for
the sober notions of the Faculty He
was king in the gymnasium, and was mi
nutely learned in the natural history and
botany of the neighborhood at least, he
knew all the haunts of birds, rabbits and
squirrels, as we'll as the choicest orchards
of fruit.
Af:er repeated admonitions without
effect, letter was addressed to his step
father by vote at Faculty meeting. a.
damsel at service in the Presidents house
overheard the discussion, and found means
to warn the young delinquent of his dan
ger; for she. as well as most people who
came within the sphere of his attraction,
felt kindly toward him.
The stage-coach that conveyed the next
mornings mail to Innisfeld, carried Hugh
Branning as passenger. Alighting at
the post-office, he took out the letter SUI
prescribed in the well known hand Of the
President, pocketed it, and returned by
the next stage to college This prank
only moved the Squire to mirth, when
he heard of it. he knew that Hugh was
a lad Of spirit-that in scholarship he
was by no means a dunce and as long
as there was no positive tendency to vice.
he thought butlightly of his boyish pee
cadilloes, But it was impossible for
snch irregularities to continue. and after
a while Mr.. Kinloch yielded to his step
sons request, and took him home
Next year it was thought best that the
yonng man should go to sea, and mid
shipman's command was procured for
him. Now, for the second time, after an
absence of three years, Hugh was at home
in all the dignity of navy blue. anchor
bnttons, glazed cap and sword.
TO Bs coSTsUED. 81
Mr.. Bright. of Indiana, has offered