Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1862-01-08
Selrrtrd sflisrellanp.
LETTING III THE NEW YEAR

1t was the last Of the old wear. and
Grace Dean and her mother were alone in
their cottage Just at the edge of Wolcott
woods. Once Grace had been a petted
heIress, but since the insolvency and
1eath OF her father she had made only too
familiar acquaintanceship with poverty
Little, indeed did the inhabitants Of Pine
vile suspect that the pale, weary-looking
seamstreSs who had come stranger
among them and rented the Wolcott cot
ta-e, and who depended chiefly for her
subsistence on the patronage Of Judge
y Nolcott family, had once, in distant
city, moved among the highest Of the
land, and even been the belle of her sett
And on this ni4ht the heart OF Grace
was heavy. Though il was nearly mid
night, she still piled her needle. and her
tears fell as fast as she sewed She was
thinking of the festive party pp at the
hall. with iJ9 lights and flowers. and music
and dancing and she pictured the portly
Old judge. once her friend, gailv leading
the reyels and also her Younger and
handSomer than even the Judge had been
ln his best DAYS, who also was alicnated
FROM her Mrs Dean sat siumberinr IN
her chair, occasionally awakinc 10 be-
moan their hard fate, that they had again
10 seek their fortunes in 4 strange place:
but the mother knew nothing of the deem
er sorrow OF the daughter. and Grace had
vowed that she never should though her
own heart broke for it,
Grace had been sewing at the Wulcotts
when Mrs Wolcott was seized with n ma.
Ilgnant fever. The servants mad fled in
tismay, leaving only the inyalids two
daughters 70 take care Of her and these
were young. ignorant. and necessarily in
othcient In this emergency Grace had
rendered her services. All thr ugh Mrs
W0lcOus long and dangerous illness.
Grace nursed her faithfully and tenderlv
l. or many davs the room was kept dark
ened and quiet ALadge and Fanny how
erng uneasllv about, obcving Grace's
suggestions with the docility of children.
while the judge and his son. Richard
would steal in softly and sit beside the
sufferer while Grace rested
At length came the davs Of GONZALES
cence, and now the family gathered In
Mrs " Nolcott room and while the hours
away " Ith reading and pleasant conversa-
uon: and when she was stronger there
were long, pleasant evenings in the luxu-
rIous parlors when Madee PLAYED and
Richard and Fannie sans and Grace sat
BY Mrs Wolcott 5 side, quiet and happv.
In those days all social distinctions were
forgotten, and tie poor seamstress was
treated as . valued friend Grace never
could forget the evening when Mrs VOL
cott first Joined the family ut the { a-table
Judge Nolcott carried her ont to the din
Ingroom, while the rest followed Ii was
a warm, pleasant evening The windc1s
were open, and the sweet odors and
sounds of summer came stealing in Mrs.
w olcOtt motIoned Grace to seat beside
her. saying. l have had Grace by me so
long, | should be lost without her They
were all in high spirits glad. grateful
and happy that the danger had passed
and the beloved wife and mother was with
them, as Of olden times
Grace sat and listened to the cheerful
flow Of words but felt strangely
could not eat Richard. who sat onpo-
site, noticed itand said Miss Dean looks
like an invalid herself" \ faintneSs
came over Grace, and she fell insensible
W hen she awoke To consciousness again.
she was lylAg on q sofa. and the family
were grouped around with anxious faces
NadGe was bathing her head. and Grace
heard the physician voice. saving. II i
the fever. she Is worn out with her exer-
uonS IN your sIck-room. madam. anu viii
need the best Of care
Grace was weak and helnleSs as q. cbi11
and Mr. Noleott carried her up stairs -
hen came blank Sometimes she would
see KIND. anxious faces around her then
all would be dark again But it nassad
AZ length that terrible illness. and then il
vas So pleasant Is be carried into the sit
ting room, those pleasant autumn morn
lnss- While Mrs Wolcotr. who was now
quite restored. occupied her usual place
MadGe usually buSiei herself about her
embroidery, Y, and Richard often read 10
them, while Fannie fitted about like =
little humning bird. as she was When
Hrace grew stronger. she often went out
IN the carriage with Mrs Woleott. and
samedmeS one or beth ladies' When the
danger OF infection was over things fell
more INTO their usual course-Grace re-
turning 10 her mother ar the cottara Bnr