Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-06-03
A FORTUNATE MISTAKE.

7, was ON the evening of the I'd oi 4 j,
IN 1s5-..:hatI " cat 10 near the Rassian
Princess Strainervoyce, who at that time
attracted the fashionable world to her con
certs. | went to hear the princess partly
to kill time, and partly from a desire to.
hear and see for myself the marvellous
foreigner whose name was in every oodys
mouth. WhenI reached Her Majesty
Concert Room, it was crowded 70 It's Ut
NEST capacity. 1t was so closely "eueeu
that one could have studied anatomy AFTER
fashion. merely from the impression VI
ones neighbor's bones. AT the close OF
the concert, | was borne along WIN the
crowd, and damned through the doorway
at the risk of breaking every IT'D ID my
BODY. Ere | could escape from the
throng, and while L was Struggling my
shoulders to assure myself that my collar
hone was in it's proper position, felt
hand clasping my arm, and musical
voice exclaimed
"You good fOr-nothingi | thought |
had lost yout What a frightful crush l
do believe my arm is broken, and my
dress ruined. all for the sake of hearing
this Strainervoycei / would not give our
Clara Novello tor a world of Straineryoy-
ces." -
was On the point of replying that
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 rossi-
bly, her husband, judging from the iamili-
arity of her manner, for she added in a
sympathizing tone:
u" Forgive me, Ralph-your poor head I!
l am sorry made yon come"
"Pardon ne, madam" said |, but"
30, nonsense, Ralph" she interrupted
me; "you have become half barbarian
since you went to the Crimea. to permit
me tc 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
a bette--you should be.
Excuse me, but"
"Ralph, shall catch my death sitting
here; and such long ride, tool"
Here the lady gave perceptible shiver.
do jump in, aud sit 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 off,
whittier knew not.
81 won't ask you to talk to nae, with
that headache, but | want you to listen to
me-" began my companion, the moment
we started. q 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, Ralph2 Her mother died about
about two weeks ago, and the poor girl
has gone to live with the Deaus. Mr.. 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
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 Lucy's tears"
| could not restrain al exclamation of
disgust as listened TO shis.
- knew it would disgust you, Ralph"
continued my companion. Well, the
doctor Gays now that Lucy will always be
laIne-there can be nothing done for her.
| have been thinking, ever since her poor
mother diei, that if she had d good teacher
she might not only in time be independent
but achieve a name rs 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 L haven't much, Ralph,
but | am determined TO do something for
our old playmate. | can save out of my
allowance at least thirty pounds, and now
if YOU will double it what will that not
do for poor Lucy2 | was counting it up
the other day, and If [ am correct, it will
enable her to attend the School of Design
and take private lessons In Art for & year !;
and at the end of that time, il Lucy is
alive, she will show the world what wo-
man caa do When | look at that poor
girl, with her rare mind and her craving
TOR 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 worlds
goods and comforts. Don't say I'm silly
and sentimental, Ralph. L know you will
give your share towards the sum, like a
good brother as you are. | have been
talking to her about it, and | know | can
manage it so IS 10 overrule any scruples
she may have against receiving anything
in that way from Us"
Here my companion became quiet and
the question presented itself to my mind :
How am to escape from this awk-
ward position honorably2 Here | have
ton intended for the ear of another-have
been guilty OF an inexcussble deception,
practiced upon stranger and lady know
ingly. Perhaps the most honest plan
would be ac9uaint her at once with the
mistake, and solicit her pardon"
| had at last summoned courage suffi-
cient 10 clear my throat, and was about
TO commence M well studied speech, when
my companion gave a little laugh, rs she
said:
Really, Ralph. you are entertaining in
your own peculiar way bit if you are as
dumb when in the presence of Miss Yer
non as yon have been tonight, she is to
be pitied rather than envIed. You are
little better than barbarian. But here We
are at Uncle's, and you know i promised
10 spend the evening there"
Suddenly the driver drew up before an
elegant residence, and Imagining | per-
ceived a looE-hcle whereby might escape
from my awkward predicament | sprang
out of the brougham and assisted the lady
TO alight.
as your head still aching, Ralph ?
Why, you forgot TO kiss mein
As the fair face was upturned to mine.