Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-06-04
A FORTUNATE MISTAKE.

attracted the fashionable world to her con
certs. | went to hear the princess partly
to kill time, and partly from desire to
hear and see for myself the marvellous
foreigner whose name was in everybody's
mouth. When reached Her Majesty's
Concert Room, it was crowded to its ut
most capacity. 1t was SO closely wedged
that one could have studied anatomy after
fashion, merely from the impression OF
ones neighbours bones. at the close OF
the concert, | was borne along with the
crowd, and jammed through the doorway
at the risk of breaking every rib in my
body. Ere l could escape from the
throng, and while | was struggling my
shoulders to assure myself that my collar
bone was in its proper position, felt a
hand clasping my arm, and musical
voice exclaimed
"You good for-nothing! thought l
had lost you! What frghtful crush |
do believe my arm is broken, and my
dress ruined, all for the sake of hearing
this Strainervoyce! / would not give our
Clara Novello for world Of StrainerVoy-
ces."
l was On the point Of replying that l
agreed with her. But restrained myself,
laughing inwardly at the novel position
in which was placed, and wondering who
my fair companion could be. Evidently
she mistook me for her brother, or posi-
bly, her husband, Judging from the tamili-
arity of her manner, for she added in q
sympathizing tone:
TO-" Forgive me, Ralph-your poor head
l am sorry made you come"
ssPardon me, madam" said |, "but-"
SO, nonsense, Ralph !" she interrupted
me; "you have become half barbarian
since you went to the Crimea, to permit
me to seat myself, and you stand here as
if were your wife, and you ten years
married, instead of your sister, whose
ready assistant and attendant-in place of
better-you should be.
Excuse me, but"
"Ralph, shall catch my death sitting
here; and such long ride, too!'
Here the lady gave perceptible shiver.
ado jump in, aud sit down, or will
What she would have done l did not
wait to hear, but taking my place beside
her in the brougham, we were driven off,
whittier knew not.
that headache, but l want you to listen to
we started. 81 wanted to talk to you
coming in but that little chatter box, Mag
gle, prevented me from saying a word to
you. You remember poor little Lucy
Waters, Ralph? Her mother died about
about two weeks ago, and the poor girl
has gone to live with the Deans. Mr.. and
Mrs Dean have been very kind to her,
bat it is impossible fo- them to do more
than shelter her. How any one can have
the heart to wound Lucy's feelings is a
mystery to me, aud yet every occasion
that presents itself is seized upon by the
Wares and Kings to insult her, even to
commenting upon the poor girls fathers
actions, as if she could have prevented
that which occurred twenty years ago,
and have seen Sarah Wells initiating her
walk, regardless of poor Lucys tears"
could not restrain an exclamation of
disgust as listened to this.
-" knew it would disgust you, Ralph"
continued my companion. "Well, the
doctor Gays now that Lucy will always be
lame-there can be nothing done for her.
l have been thinking, ever since her poor
mother died, that if she had good teacher
she might not only in time be independent
but achieve name as an artist. You
should see some of her attempts. She is
genius, Ralph. But that would require
money, and where is the money to come
from? You know | haven't much, Ralph
but am determined to do something tol
our old playmate. | can save out of my
allowance at least thirty pounds, and now
if you will double it what will that moi
do for poor Lucy2 | was counting it uI
the other day, and if am correct, it viii
enable her to attend the School of Design
and take private lessons IN Art for year
ard at the end OF that time, If Lucy Ii
alive, she will show the world what a wo
man can do. When | look at that poo
girl, with her rare mind and her cravins
for knowledge, l cannot help thinking
how superior she is to me-a mere idler
and | sometimes think that if she had my
place and | hers, there would be more
Justice in the distribution OF the world
goods and comforts. Don't say Pm silly
and sentimental, Ralph. l know you viii
give your share towards the sum, like
good brother as you are. | have beer
talking to her about it, and | know | Car
manage it so as to override any scruples
she may have against receiving anything
in that way from us"
derS my COlupdulOu DSCdIe quiet, aD(
the question presented itself to my mind
"How am | to escape from this awk-
ward position honorably9 Here | have
been guilty OF listening to communica
ton intended fo- the ear of another-hav,
been guilty of an ineXcusable deception
practiCed upon stranger and lady know
ingly. Perhaps the most honest plar
would be acquaint her at once with the
mistake, and solicit her pardon"
| had at last summoned courage suff
cient to clear my throat, and was abou,
to commence my we'll studied speech, wher
my companion gave little laugh, as sh.
said:
REALLY, Ralph, you are entertaining il
your own peculiar way; but If you are a
dumb when in the presence of Miss Yer
non as you have been tonight, she is tt
be pitied rather than envied. You ar,
little better than barbarian. But here WI
are at Uncle's, and you know / promised
TO spend The evening there
Suddenly the driver drew up before al
elegant residence, and imagining | per
ceived loop-hole whereby might escap
from my awkward predicament, spran,
ont of the brougham and assisted the lad.
to alight.
"Is your head still aching, Ralph
Why, you forgot to kiss mel"
As the fair face was upturned to mine
with its tempting lips awaiting the kiss,
l pressed the shawl down from my mout
suddenly, and as suddenly felt my hea
drawn down to receive the most dellclou
kiss that was ever bestowed by maiden.