Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-11-09

lief not have had any; for it was more
pleasant looking into the still water and
thinking of Disntbs than ruffiiug it to
pull out some poor little writhing fish.
In the midst Of my dreaming heard
a rustIing of the foliage on the ledge
Just over me; and then ! remembered
that high toned picnic bad been ap-
pointed for that day, on the grounds
which here bordered the bay. Present.
" heard voices. and immediately recog-
nized one rs the came that had joined in
the HYMN with the metallic ring. like a
pipe of the organ. The other was a
woman's voice, and it had a strange
sound, as of words we seem to have
beari before, uttered by the same per-
BON under exactly the same circumstan-
ces. It seems now as if must have
been really asleep and dreaming; for j.
was several miuutes.. before could define
10 myself-what | should have known
on the instant--that the voice was Di
sntha's.
knew from the rustic of leaves that
thew had seated themselves on a second
ledge, which made convenient seat.
with the first as floor. Perhaps a min
ute discrimination of prophecies would
have led me either to move away or
make nv presence known. But | did
not move muscle. Loling idly in my
boat on the placid water, overheard all
they said. The conversation on bis side,
took short and rapid fight from gen
eral topics TO personal matters, and fipal
" eliminated in proposal 20 marriage.
Diantha--alas, my Diantha! had
dreamed her mine 10 more, even in
dreams-to my CONSERVATION. accepted
him. | rolled over as heard it. and
nearly upset the boat. 1t made so much
noise that feared they must have been
alarmed. 1t seemed they were not, how
ever; and | lay still as before. 1t was
not long ere she said, in a playful tone
Now, Kalk take off the mask, and
let me see your real features. Come.
that's good boy
The Man in the Brazen Mask was ST.
lent.
She repeated the request earnestly;
and | knew by the noise of the leaves
that she made faint attempt at pulling
it off
'Diantha, SAID he, slowly, | have no
mask. You see me as am
The girl laughed merrily. and made
another attempt to remove the mask,
Meanwhile bad softly climbed the
bank aud twas looking in upon them
from leafy covert
My de,r Diantha, said be, as he
warded off her hands from his face, l
tell you the solemn truth--l wear no
mask
Dianths looked ut him IN amnze
ment. His face, or mask, was much pa
Ter than usual, but still had the brassy
glow She seemed rs if about TO faint,
but quickly recovered.
Then said she, : / cannot wear your
rinc:' and she drew it from her finger.
and handed it TO him.
He received on his bent fortfnger,
and, and with a snap of his thumb, sent
over bis shoulder into The water.
Let US CO. said she, rising.
sDiantha, said he, promise me that
you will not repeat what have just said
TO you
Il promiser
Aud they went.
The Man in the Brazen Mask--for as
such he was known, whether bis decar-
alton to the contrary was true or false
did not seem to take bis tender discom.
future greatly to heart. He WAS prospered
in nearly every thing he undertook, and
got on in the world rapidly. He once
ran for Congress, and lacked but five
votes of an election. l heard one OF
his adherents declare that he would have
been elected if he had put aside the
mask.
But what could you expect he added.
sorrowfully, with al. that metal staring
in the face of every voter who approached
the polls?'
FL seemed to be favorite in society,
though the opin on was always expressed,
soto voce, that it was time for him to
exhibit the beauty of his genuine fea-
lures.
AS said in the beginning, Mr.. Athe-
nus died short time ago. attended
the funeral. There was large retinue
of mouruers. and all the appointments
were in frst.class style. The clergyman
who conducted the services spoke warm
T, " and teelingIy of the talents and virtues
of him who had passed away. Two or
three times he alluded 10 the fact that
: be WAS not what he appeared, and I'M
der an eccentric and sometimes apparent
ly hard exterior, glvwed, for those who
knew him best, q genial countenancs and
a sunny heart A reporter was pres
en-, and be went away and wrote long
sketch of The late Chalcas Athenus,
ESQ., in the course of which he said:--
Though to many he seemed cold and
harsh, and at times unjust, we areassured
that, to those who enjoyed bis intimacy,
he was refined, clear headed, warm
hearted. and companionable man, and a
true gentleman heard Que good lady
at the funeral whisper to another her
wonder that they had not taken off the
mask before laying of him out l pas
sed around with the rest 10 view the re
MAINS AS the polite sexton expressed il.
There was the same metallic Iastre and
the same yellow hue; but | wondered
a