Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-11-24


down by the river; away from the street o.
stiff white cottages, where the mill opera
tors lived; away from the commonplace,
two story dwellings, clustering around the
church, the store, the blacksmith shop,
and the post office; to a Bit of level slight
ly removed from sIhe Hollow" by a siop-
ing HILL Here we're scattered a group OF
houses where the doctor, the mill owner,
tine minister, and two or three prosperous
farmers lived. Lived, so the Hollow peo-
pie said, stuck up" and apart from their
neighbors.
But this aristocratic isolation was all the
work Of the Hollow, for, as Mrs. Wood
cock often said:
Folks can choose their own place in the
world II they have mind TO hold up
their heads and be something and some
body they can be, or they can be nobody
and nothing. Either one"
Accordingly she held up her head and
made herself somebody, equally in the
kitchen of Mary DunE the Irish laund
ress, in Speck Lane at the lowest dip OF
the Hollow, and in the parior Of the spa
cious mansion that crowned the brow Of
equality Hill"
So now she went up the wide, flower
bordered walk lsa6ing to DR.. Seacfests
stately doorway, with the assurance OF q
welcome guest; and tapping confidently
on the open door, stepped IN with little
nod and a courtesy, es much of respect 20
herselta "a of Difference 10 Mrs. Sescrestand
her daughter Miriam, sitting sewing and
looking tranquil as though 10 storm had
ever passed over either vineyard or spirit.
Dear me Is it you, Mrs. Woodcock2
How Won startled me Come In. We
were speaking of you not hall an hour
ago" cried Mrs Seacrest, who was live
III, cordial woman, as round and flushed as
a poppy; and always sitting in the sun
shine, no matter what clouds there might
be in the SKY.
Mrs. Woodcock came in. 'Quite q
shower we have had, said she, dropping
upon velvet sofa with an air OF being very
much at home on velvet. 81 noticed, as
came along, Mr.. Hulbert's oats are beaten
fat, and shouldn't wonder if good deal
of injury was done by the hail"
Very likely" replied Mrs. Seacrest,
serenely THE hailstones were very
large. But it has come off beautifully
now, and the air seems so much purer for
the storm.
Some people might have felt put aside
at this, but not Mrs. Woodcock. She per-
ceived that something lay under this
placid surface, and, never being troubled
by excess of delicacy, proceeded at once
to send ont her blood-hounds.
How was it here 2 said she, boldly
Anything damaged about your grounds"
1.-THE dahlias; some OF them were bro
ken off didn't father say responded
Mrs. Seacrest, appealing to her daughter.
/. A,,.l s,nlF q lao
the hot-house. The doctor has just or
dered different style of sash, so these
are out of the way just in time
Everything was always fish that came to
Mrs. Seacrest's net.
"Tisn't that" said Mrs. Woodcock to
herself Something heavier than hall
stone is on her mind"
SO she started another trail.
Heard from Ernest lately?' she asked
Not very long since" replied Mrs.
Seacrest. carele, sly, but with the faintest
shadow of shade slipping across her
sunny face for an instant
That is it. said the visitor, inwardly,
nodoEng approvingly to herself. For it is
not everybody who would have had the
skill to touch upon the sore spot so soon.
But before she had decided on her next
question, Mrs. Seacrest spoke again.
''We are expecting him home soon, Mrs.
Woodcock, with his wife"
"His wife cried Mrs. Woodcock.
Even with her discerning forethought,
she was not prepared for this announce
ment. Ernest Seacrest being yet a junior
III the State University,
Miriam looked steadily upon her work,
flushing with look OF painful annoy
auce. but her mothers tone WAS as b.ithe
as ever
Yes, said she. Ernest is young, isn't
ho? But, after all. he is as old as | WAS
when | married. Our children take us by
surprise, coming TO be men and women 50
much sooner than we expect.
when do you look for him them
laltered Mrs. Woodcock, too much bewil-
dered tor her usual aptness OF question
ing.
almost any time; shall not be sur
prised if they come to-day" answered Mrs.
Seacrest, not able to conceal some nervous
dread.
Not a dread that the married pair might
arrive before Mrs Woodcock should 60
away, with her long eyes, deep ears, and
broad tongue Ga, mol Mrs. Woodcoek
would have scorned herself With contempt
uous scoruing il such unworthy jealousy
had crossed her self-assured mind.
so she sat, and sat, and sat, and sat,
while Mrs. Seaerest sewed, and sewed, and
sewed, ana sewed.
Miriam, evidently unable to bear the
slow torture, soon found an errand TO her
chamber, and found no reason for return
ing.
Wasn't your sons marriage little sud
dan IN vop . asked Mrs WoodcGrk rs
soon as she had collected her ideas
Somewhat. BAT it is so much better
I for young man TO settle upon some one
| lady rather than fall into habit OF tlrt-
ing. replied Mrs. Seacrest with a cheer
/ ful satisfaction "And have always been
/ in favor O, early marriages. Where peo-
/ pie wal, TIL their habits sTe orystalized, II
/ "a much harder adapting themselves 49,"
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