Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1865-07-19

tlonSi Out he lett that at twenty he was
kept with too tight hand and that there
were worlds beyond St Simon Swyn-
herde which might be harmlessly ex-
plored
Ricnerd bryce was, however, not bad
man, not cruel or hard man in his in
most heart; but he had been himself de-
voted from early life to one condition OF
things, which were in some strange way
in accordance with his natural constitu-
ton or with which he had become indent-
fled till they grew into a necessary part
of his existence. He was a self-contaiaed
man-an undemonstratige man-whose
mind was attuned to respectful solitude,
and who, without being a misantLrope,
regarded his fellow creature through a
ground glass medium, approachable. A
few business acquaintances he had with
whom he would sometimes take his chop
and glass of old port at city tavern of
an evening; he would even on rare oc-
casions, 20 the length Of smoking cigar
in company with one or two Of his less
distant companions Lut his laugh was
Ike the harsh echo of q disused violin.
and he seldom or never invited anybody
to see him at home
One of the people whom he dislikcd
most said that he was "a buttoncd-up
man" and Richard Dryce could never for
give him-the description WIS so true.
One Of his most intimate friends, an
Alderman Of congenial temperament, who
had greatly distinguished himself by
quarrelling and exchanging vituperative
epithets with another Alderman on the
magistcrial bench, seriously advised him
TO he,ome candidate for civic honors
but he strcnuously refused, although he
ultimately permitted his son Robert to
achieve something like independence by
becoming liveryllan in the Worshipful
Company of Twindlers, whose hall stood
within the precincts Of st. Simon Swyn>
herde. 1t was only on the occasion of
one of their dinners that Robert was al
lowed to be out after ten . clock; but that
restriction did not prevent his spending
the larger number of his evenings be-
tween eight clock aud ten at the Twid-
lers Hall, which mouldy old structure.
with its great cold, lonely banqueting hall
and awkward polygonial ante-rooms de-
corated with portraits Of deceased digni-
taries, held an attraction not to be found
elsewhere, in the person of pretty Agnes
Rainc!i(Ie, the only daughter Of the COM
pany's beadle
For six months they had been under
the sweet illusion tnat disintcrcsted afec-
ton must eventually win for itself way
to union; but old Mr. Raincliffe had
spoken seriously to them, and altogether
forbade their farther meeting until Robert
had spoken to his father. He went home
that very might, and nervcd to sort Of
desperation, did speak to his father, end
ing with the usual declaration that his
choice was unalterable Perhaps it was
but whether or not, Richard bryce went
the very way to- make it so when he
laughed that discordant laugh, and, with
a taunt against his sons weakness of pur-
pose and his dependent position, told him
to dismiss such D. scheming little husSv
from his thoughts for he was to marry
when he had permission, which would
never be granted to such match as the
headle wanted to bring about Robert
f. n h g., II ar'S y,rococra ,v;tbn,,t n ,s-orI
but in n week from that date he had fo,-
lowed Agnes down into the country,
whether she had been sent out of the wav
When he returned he wrote a letter to his
father to say that they were married 1t
is easy 10 guess what followed When he
called for an answer to his communica-
ton, he received brief note, saying that
he was discarded from that hour, need
never trouble himself to enter the doors
of the Cd house again and that hence
forth he must look to his own exertions
for the means Of living This letter was
sent by the hand of sort of managing
clerk, one Jaggers, who was at the same
time commissioned to tell Robert that he
could, if he choose, obtain a nituation in
house at Liverpool, where his fathers in
terest was sufficient to secure him clerk
ship at a very moderate salary.
Now it 50 happened that Jaggers had
always appeared to be the best friend
Young Robert ever had he had sympa-
thized with him on the subject of his
fathers harshness; had aprlauded his
noble sentiments when he had impaired
the secret of MS engagement TO Agnes
had wished that he was the master of the
establishment in ST Simon's yard, shat
Justice might be done TO disinterested vir-
tue, and had generally assumed the part
of guide, philosopher and friend, tempered
by humble Difference, 10 the young man.
1t was arranged between them, therefore,
that. after time, during which Robert
should accept the situation at Liverpool, a
more successful appeal might be made to
Drvce senior. and that 4 'etter addressed
10 him should be sent under cover to Jag