Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1863-06-04
A FORTUNATE MISTAKE.

Russian Princess Straineryoyce, who at
that time attracted the fashionable world
to her concerts [ went to hear the
princess partly to kill time, and partly
from a desire to hear and see for my
self the marvellous foreigner whose
name was in everybody mouth. When
| reached Her Majesty's Concert Room,
it was crowded to its utmost capacity.
1t was so closely wedged that one could
have studied anatomy after fashion,
merely from the impression of one S
neighbours bones. At the close of the
concert, | was borne along with the
crowd, and jammed through the door
way at the risk Of breaking every rib
in my body. Ere / could escape from
the throng, and while | was Struggling
my shoulders to assure myself that my
collar bone was in its proper position,
! felt hand clasping my arm, and a
musical voice exclaimed.
"You good for-nothing What a
frighttul crash | do believe my arm
is broken, and my dress ruined all for
the sake of hearing this Strainervoice !!
| would not give our Clara Novello for
a world Of Strainewoyces."
| was on the point of replying that I
agreed with her. But | restrained my
self, laughing inwardly at the novel po-
sition in which ! was placed, and won
dering who my fair companion could be.
Evidently she mistook me for her broth
er, or possibly her husband, judging
from the familiarity ef her manner,
for she added in a synpathizing tone.
Forgive me, Ralph-your poor head |!
| am sorry Lmade you come"
"Pardon me, madam said ], "but-''
30, ronscnse, Ralphl" she Interrupt
ted me; you have become half bar
barian since you went to the Crimea, to
permit me to scat myself, and you stand
here as if were your wife, and you
ten years married, instead of your sis
ter, whose ready assistant and attend
ant-in place of better-you should
be"
Excuse me, but
"Ralph, I Shall catch my death sitting
here and such long ride, too''
Here the lady gave a pcrceptiblc
shiver.
"Do jump in, and site down, or will
What she would have done did not
wait to hear, but taking my place beside
her in the brougham, we were driven on,
whittier | knew not
"T won't ask you to talk to me, with
that headache, but | want you to listen
to me, began my companion, the mo-
ment we started. Il wanted to talk
to YOU coming in but that little chatter
box, Maggie, prevented me from saying
a word to you. You remember poor
little Lucy Waters, Ralph? Her moth
er died about two weeks ago, and the
poor girl has gone to live with the
| Deans. NIr. and Mrs Dean have been
very kind to her, but it is impossible for
them to do more than shelter her. How
any one can have the heart to wound
Lucy's feelings is mystery to me, and
vet 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 oc-
Cured twenty years ago, and have seen
Sarah Wells initiating her walk, regard
of poor Lucy's tears >
/ could not restrain an exclamation OF
disgust as | listened to this.
81 knew it would disgust you Ralph
continued my companion. "Well, the
doctor says now that Lucy will always
be lame-there can be nothing done Tor
her. 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
nm artist You should see some OF her
attempts. She is a genius, Ralph: But
that would require money, and where i
the money to come from? You know
+ haven't much, Ralph, but | am deter
mined to do something for our old play
mate ! can save out of my allowance
at least thirty pounds, and now II you
will double it what will that not 40 lor
poor Lucy 2 l was counting It up .ne
other day. and if | am correct, 1t VIII
enable her to attend the School OF De-
sign and take private lessons in Art tor r
year; and at the end of that IT. tune, ,ne,ld i
Lucy is alive, she will show 10Y, the ,'s1 wGria -
what a woman can do. When | look At
that poor girl, with her rare mind ana
bar rrov;no for knowledge, | cannot
help thinging how superior she is to to me !,
IA - mere idler; and / sometimes think
that if she had my place ana | nsis'
there would be more justice IN the uls
tribufion Of the worlds goods and com
forts, Don't say I'm silly and, and sen.l, ;'.a
mental, Ralph. | know you wln give
brother as you are. have been talking
70 her ahont it. and | know | can man