Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1871-11-04
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.

A dusty-looking traveller turned
in at the great gate, and passed up
the walk leading to the Hayward
farmhouse.
There was nothing prepOssessing
in his appearance. The clothes he
wore, though not of coarse material,
were vet seedy and threadbare; and
his hat, fashioned a quarter of CEN
tury before, showed long and close
acquaintance with sunshine and
storm. He was quite old, too, al
though he stepped quite nimbly
upon the gravel walk, and tired, for
he had tramped many miles under
the broiling heat of that July sun.
Withal, there was q look of shreWd-
ness and knowledge of the world
about him, that seemed to belle his
INDECENT appearance.
He glanced about him at the we'll
cultivated fields, the comfortable
dwelling, the commodious barns and
the numerous outhOuses, and NUT
tered:
every well situated, whoever they
are. l will stop and rest awhile, if
they will allow such ragshan in
the house."
And the last thought seemed to af-
| ford him immense pleasure.
He 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, I'm ashamed of
you ~ spoke harsh, metallic, female
voice. "That my son should so for
get himself as to stoop to even look
at my hired help, much more to
make love TO her, is ridiculous!
| shameful What is she Every
body knows that Harriet Sinclair is
nothing but beggar, at the best:
and how do we know that she is even
as good as that2 Yet you persist
| in seeing something attractive about
her. For my part, do not see how
YOU can even look at her, while that
| splendid Maria Dalton is here Yes,
! John, splendid is the word and she
is rich, tool You know her uncle
allows her an annuity sufficient to
keep Won both in style, and when he
dies she will have the whole. can
not see into it; and, John Hayward,
| will not have it, will send the
girl away !"
'Hal hal hap chuckled the old
man at the door. seBreezyi / do
not like this eavesdropping, but l
| declare l must hear Johns reply"
'rMother," began a voice, deep
toned and calm, yet determined, 81
will over. look your aspersions, for
you are angry; but, if you send
| Hattie away, | shall 90 tooi She
4 20, hat fl,F.nrffrI
means of ours. As to Miss Dalton, L
will only say that she ae1er can be
my 1cife."
''Hai ha! hap again chuckled the
man at the door. ''He's the right
sort for mel / will risk this Hatty
Sinclair with him. Now, I'll 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.
THLet's see what the weather is on
this side of the house." and he, stop
ping TO listen.
Harriet Sinclair, how dare you
| look mein the face and tell me that:''
came in shrill, angry tones through
the open door.
! And the little old man chuckled
again, and muttered:
"Whoever this Harriet Sinclair is,
she is getting up quite stir among
these folks. I rather like her. There
goes that other one again. sup
pose it is Maria Dalton but she's
made a slight mistake ~
"What do you suppose John Hay
ward cares for you? You have not
even a pretty face to recommend
you and, then, you are nothing but
a beggar! Bah what lhnny you
SWin YOU tell me one thing p
came in a faint, pleading voice
Are you and John going to be
married ~.
There was quito a pause, and thI
man at the door grew impatient.
Then came the answer, sharp anC
malicious: lr..-~ o. 80
"Yes, we are :" - ltt
"Ohp'
This exclamation came from Hat
Ity, and it was so full of pain and des
pair, that the old man involuntariH
stepped into the room.
"The weather seems to be unset
tied ?'' said he to himself, "and
shall not be surprised if some o
these folks get wrecked in the storm
What a hornets nest il must be
And there's the queen herself" h
added, as his gaze fell upon Mari
Dalton's dark, handsome face.
She stood in the door leading int
> the great entry, with her hand raj.
ed threatningly, and her black eye
flashed angrily, while Hatty Sinclai
stood by the window with her bac
+, turned toward her toFmentor, this
she might hide the tears which weI
streaming down her flushed cheek
Neither of them saw the old MAJ
and he spoke to make his presenC
- known.
"GoOd-day, ladies. Fvebeen tai
inc q little tramp hereabouts, and, 1
. 1 got rather tired, thought woul
! stop in and rest little"
'FYou are welcome" said HIATT
turning her fearful face toward hin
But Maria spoke tartly:
< eve do not keep a hotel. Yo
a will find one at the village"
II sEBut am not at the village," sal
Il the man, coolly taking a seat, al
As chuekling to himself as he saw Il
dark cloud gathering on Maria
face. 81 am very tired, too, al
Il quite hungry"
The cloud grew blacker; but 6
70 the storm burst, John Hayward e
ne tered the room.
;. Instantly Maria's facewas al su
shine.
! "Storm is past for the present