The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-10-26
SHE N|5'RtBuNE.
Official City and County Paper
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.

appearance The clothes he wore, though
not Of coarse material, were yet seedy and
threadbare: and his hat, fashioned a
quarter of a century before, showed long
and close acquaintance with sunshine and
storm. He was quite old, too, although
he stepped quite nimbly upon the gravel
walk and tired, for he had tramped many
miles under the broiling heat OF that
July un-Withal. there was look OF
shrewdness and Knowledge Of the world
about him, that seemed to belle his In
digent appearance.
He glanced about him at the well cult
waited fields, the comfortable dwelling the
commodious barns and the numerous out
houseses, and muttered:
''Very well situated, whoever they are
[ will stop and rest awhile, if they will
allow such ragshank in the house.
And the last thought seemed to afford
him immense pleasure.
walked up to the front door, which
was open; but the sound of voices within
drew his attention, and he stopped, with
his hands yet raised to rap.
John Hayward | L, ashamed of you'll
spoke "a harsh, metallic, female Voices
''That my son should so forget himself,
as to stoop to even look at my hired help
much more to make love to her, is ride
ulous shameful What is she? Every
body knows that Harriet Sinclair is moth
ing but beggar, at the best: and how
do we know that she is as good as that
Yet you persist In seeing something at
tractiye about her. For my part, | do
not see how you can even look at her,
while that splendid Maria Dalton is herel
Yes, John, splendid is the word and she
is rich, too You know her uncle allows
in style. and when he dies she will have
the whole. | cannot see into it; and, j ohm
HAYWARD, I viii not have it | will send
the girl away !"
''Hal ha ha ohuckled the old man
at the door. Breezy do not like this
eavesdropping, but 1 declare l must hear
Johns reply
Mother" began voice deep-toned
ana calm, yet determined, 81 will over
look your aspersions. for you are angry !;
but, if you send Hattie away, shall go
too She shall not come to harm by any
means of ours. As to Miss Dalton,
will only say that she nerer can be nay
arye.
s'Ha! ha hal" again chuckled the
man at the door, Hes the right sort
for me | will risk this Eatty Sinclair
with him. Now, IN step around to the
other door, and see what there is there.
He cautiously made his way around to
the rear door, which he found open like
the front, and he also heard voices.
Lets see what the weather in on this
side of the house," and he stopped to
listen.
"Harriet Sinclair, how dare you look
me in the face and tell me that? ?" came
in shrill, angry tones through the open
DOOR
And the little man chuckled again, and
muttered:
sWhoever this Harriet Sinclair is, she
is getting up quite a stir among these
folks. | rather like her. There goes
that other one again. | suppose it is
Maria Dalton but she's made a slight
mistake!
what do you suppose John Hayward
cares for you? You have not even a
pretty face to recommend you; and then
you are nothing but a beggar! Bah
what ninny you are!'
'Will you tell me one thing?' came in
faint, pleading voice. ''Are you and
John going to be married?"
There was quite pause, and the man
at the door grew impatient.
Then came the answer, sharp and ma
licious:
Yes we are -
"Oh ~
This exclamation came from Hatty,
and it was so full of pain and. despair,
that the old man involuntarily stepped
into the room.
The weather seems to be unsettled?''
said ne to himself, ''and l shall not be
surprised if some CT these folks get wreck
cd in the storm. What a hornets nest
it must be And there's the queen her.
self, he added, as his gaze fell upon
Maria Dalton's dark, handsome face.
She stood in the door leading into the
great entry, with her hand raised threat
enlngly,a and her black eyes flashed angrily,
while Hatty Sinclair stood by the win
dow with her back turned toward her
tormenter, that she might hide the tears
which were streaming down her flushed
cheeks.
Neither of them saw the old man, and
he spoke to make his presence known.
'Good-day, ladies. I've been taking
a little tramp hereabouts, and, as L cot
rather tired, thought | would stop in
and rest little
GU are welcome" said Hatty. turn
ing her fearful face toward him.
But Maria spoke tartly:
I'VE do not keep hotel. You will find
one at the village
But | am not at the village" said the
man. coolIy taking seat, and chuckling
to himfelf as he saw the dark cloud gath
eiing on Maria face. Il am very tired
too, and quite hungry"
- The cloud grew darker; but ere the
storm burst, John Hayward entered the