Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-03-17
ov and Brown slept. Mr.. Hamlin moved

row, and Brown slept. Mr. Hamlin moved
hiB chair to the window, and looked out on
the town OF Wingdam, now sleeping peace
fully--its harsh outlines softeDed and sub
dned, its glaring colors mellowed and
| sobered in the moonlight that flowed over
all. In the hush he could hear the gurg-
ling Of water in the bitches, and the sigh
ing Of the pines beyond the hill. Then he
looked up at the Fl mament, and, as he did
so, star shot across the twinkling field.
Presently another, and then another. The
phenomenon suggested to Mr.. Hamlin q
fresh augury, II, in, another fifteen min
utes, another star should fall -. He
sat there, watch in hand, for twice that
time, but the phenomenon was mes re-
peated.
The clock struck two, and Brown still
slept. MIR. Hamlin approached the table
and took from lis pocket letter, which he
read by the Pickering candle-light. 1t con-
tanned only g single line, written in pencil,
in woman's hand
"Be at the corral, with the buggy, at
three"
The sleeper moved uneasily, and then
awoke.
care you there, Jackf"
eyes"
Don't 90 yet I dreamed, just now,
Jack -Creamed of old times. | thought
that Sue and me was being married agin,
and that the parson, Jack, was-who do
YOU think ?--you!"
The gambler laughed, and seated him
self on the bed-the paper still in his
hand.
"Its good sign, amt it2" queried
Brown.
81 reckon. Say, old man, hadn't you
better get up?'
The ''old man." thus affectionately ap-
pealed to, arose, with the assistance OF
IIamlins outstretched hand.
"SmokeY
Brown mechanically took the proffered
cigar
Light
Jack had twisted the letter into spiral,
lit it, and held it for his companion. He
continued to hold it until it WAR consumed,
and dropped the fragment q fiery star
from the open window. He watched it as
it fell, and then returned to his friend.
cod man." he said, placing his hands
upon Browns shoulders, sin ten minutes
| III be on the road, and gone like that
spark. We won't see sach other agin; bat
before 90, take FOOLS advice: sell out all
you've got, take your wife with you, and
quit the country. 1t ant no place for you
nor her. Tell her she must go; make her
90, if she won't. Don whine because you
can't be saint, and she amt an angel. BE
a mainland treat her like woman. Don't
be fool. Good-by,"
He tore himself from Browns grasp, and
leaped down the stairs like deer. At the
stable-door he collared the housekeeping
hostler. and backed him against the wall
Saddle my horse in two minutes, or I'll
- The ellipsis was trightfully sug
gestive.
"The missis said you was to have the
buggy" stammered the man.
I'D - the buggy +
The horse was saddled as fast as the ner-
vous hands of the astounded hostler could
manipulate buckle and strap.
'Is anything up, Mr.. Hamlin ?" said the
man, who like all his class, admired the
elan of his fiery patron, and was really con-
cerned in his welfare.
STAND aside y
The man fell back. With an oath, a
bound and clatter, Jack was into the road
In another movement, to the mans halt
awakened eyes, he was but moving cloud
of dust in the distance, toward which a star
lust .oosed from its brethren was trailing a
stream of fire.
Bat early that morning the jewellers by
the Wingdam turnpike, miles away, heard
voice, pure as a SKY ,larks. singing afield.
They who were asleep turned over on their
rude couches to dream eff youth and love,
and olden days. Hard. faced men and
anxious gold-seekers, already at work,
ceased their labors and leaned upon THEN
picks to listen to romantic vagahond
ambling away against the rosy sunrise. -
Overland Monthly tor Marcb.