Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1864-06-01

six feet Two inches; my scnoohelloWs be
Eeyed that was twenty, and wondered did
not leave Poplar House Academy. They
tainted me with effeminacy, and laughed at
nv shriu voice, which still piped in childish
treble / must mention that was not an ill
looking fellow Ny figure, though clumsy,
was not deformed; my features were good,my
compile xion was clear and healthy. But, as
[ grew older and bigger, | became more ana
more sensitive. | withdrew myself Is much
as possible from the view OF my fello" crea-
lures There was private path-accessible
only by The schoolmasters key-lead ng
from our playing field to a sluggish stream
bordered with pollarded willows. On the
margin of this miniature river | used to sit
for hours, with my long legs dangling over
the water, watching the swallows they
swooped down on their prey, or the rats, as
they swan cautiously from bank to bank with
only their noses above water. Here would
remain in a state of negative happiness till
| the sun had set and the bats few in circles
round and round the hollow trees.
One evening | had Just looked at my
wateh-having been endowed with that dig
| nifed appendage in consideration of my size
| several wears beforehand was hecting with
| sigh that must quit my solitary retreat,
| and mingle once more IN the din and merrl-
| ment of the schoolroom, when hand was
laid softly on my shoulder. | turned my hea
and beheld the face of man whom had
seldom seen, though / had often heard his
| name mentioned.
Mr. Leverton was the recluse of the village.
He scarcely ever stirred out of his house,
which was situated on the banks of the river,
saw no company, never went TO church, and
spent most of his time in fishing. As he was
a strict preserver, and my school-fellows had
often trespassed on his waters, | fancied he
deemed me one of the culprits, and was about
to execute summary vengeance on my per
| son: but | was speedily undeceived by the
mildness of his address.
"My young friend, he said, :" have watch
ed you for some time past. As | stand, rod
in hand, at Wonder bend of the river, | can
see YOU through the trees. Like me, you are
fond of solitude. Consequently, there is a
natural sympathy between US. Now, what
do you think about ?"
About giants"
Giants That is a strange subject of con
temptation"
u think to myself, shall l become giant ?
said l. with blush.
| "Nonsense-why, YOU must have done
growing How old are you"
| thought of my fathers's strict injunction
and of the deceit which had been successfully
maintained for the last six years, and replied
: with some hesitation:
q am twenty, sir"
| LOO Olu lOF ScuOOl- w nat can your pa
: rents be thinking of? At your age [ was
battling with the world. Come, you shall
! sup at my house"
al am rather afraid Mr. Wickham will oh
, ject, sir
> Il have his permission. See here" SAID
Mr.. Leyerton, displaying paper-'in black
and white. If you wish for comfort in thi:
villainous world, have everything in black
and white. Read it,"
I no NJ T;,I-b ,,,,
sion to invite Mr.. David Elworthy to hi.
house whenever he pleases."
:" Are you satisfed? ,"
"Yes, sir"
r "Ihen come along"
| The recluse unlocked a gate studded witt
spikes and inter,aced with brambIes which
led to his own property. He preceded me a
2 a swift pace the decisive abruptness of which
correspondent with his manner of speaking
and as soon as we reached the house-a small
/ but picturesque edihce, completely screened
from view by evergreen folage-he unlocked
the door with a latch-key, and pushed me in
J to the hall.
2 Pointing to another door, he said
." Go in there, and wait till | come"
r | opened the doo- and went in. To my as
/ constituent, a figure rose up at my entranc,
, "a female figure. l felt utterly abashed
was entirely uuaccustumed to ladies' society
= and here l was face to face with pretty
; Young lady Excepting sisters (who count
for nothing my intercourse with the fair se1
had been hitherto limited TO my mother anC
nurse Crossley. | stood in the middle of the
room, blushing red-hot TO the ears, gasping
j for breath, and twirling chair by way o
d employing my hands.
. cannot describe the Young lady from
, what I saw at that juncture. | saw a CLOUD
, of white with "A fascinating face at the top o
] it, and that is all. | don't know how Iong
stood in this ridiculous posture it Nigh
, be two inmates, but it felt like forty, wheI
/ | was brought to my senses by soft vote,
SAYING:
. Pray be seated Mr. Elworthy"
My face grew hotter than ever at the sounC
] OF my own name, and | selected the slender
: est chair in the room-one of those eIegan
: ornamental articles with spiral legs and fee
BILE back, which are not meant to be sat up
, on. On this fragile piece of workmanship
cautiously deposited my bulky person.
I - Are you not somewhat tired of school
Mr.. EIworthy
a "Oh, no, not at all-that is-no-yes-
l am"
After this contradictory speech, was al
blush, from the soles of my feet to the sum
. NIT of my head. l felt very much like a rec
cabbage"
You do not play at games, l think"
/ NO, miss; that Is, | don't play at-at any
f games"
\ fresh outburst Of blushing followed thi:
brilliant speech, while my chair creaked in
terribly threatening manner. / was too shy
however, to move TO one that was more sub
stantial, and prayed inwardly that Mr.. Lev
: erton might soon appear
Are you fond of reading?n
Very, miss
Here Is book that you may like to look
at, said tie young lady, rising
; Natural pohteness caused me TO rise also
to save her the trouble of crossing the room;
but at that moment Mr. Leverton burst il
abrup.ly, aud pumped back into my chair
ike q guilty thing.
The shock too much for that frail piece
of furniture. 1t uttered one dying squeak,
and collapsed beneath my weight | found
myself among the ruins on the floor.
\ smile passed over the young lady's face
but she restrained herself at once and looked
sorry and concerned. | loved her from that
moment. She evidently saw how miserabIy
nervous l was, and would not for an instant
pain me by even appearing to laugh at my
disaster
| There said Mr.. Leverton, assisting me
/ somewhat roughly 10 my feet" there, Emily.
that's your doing. Who but fool would nut