Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-02-23

arising trOm large inheritance Wen III
vested But Mr.. Gordon was bust
ness man, merchant III high standing,
and he did not relish the idea of giving
his only daughter TO an idler-one who,
confessedly, was engaged in no pursuit
whatsoever, other than the lavish ex-
penditure OF his large income. Mrs.
Gordon was nonentity, except i'll the
fashionable world and after dropping
a few tears over her daughters willing
ness to leave the family roof, she sub
sided into a gentle commiseratlon of
herself as much aggrieved parsonage,
and relieved her mind by loudly boast
ing the many virtues of appearance and
purse of her daughters choice.
John Rutledge occupied the rather
disgraceful position of a lover who had
never dared to acknowledge himself yet
could not tear himself away from the
object of his regards, though he was
forced to consider her as the property
of another. As he had never spoken,
Lille tolerated him-especially as the
rising young artist, whose name was on
every body's tongue in society, was not
by any means disagreeable compan-
ion at art-receptions and in the studios.
The engagement was, after all, mat
ter of very late date and as MIR. Hart
ley was obliged to be away from town
a portion of every week on important
business connected with his investments
in New England, and as Johp Rutledge
was an old acquaintance, and "every
body's friend, there had been as yet
none of the scandal customary in such
cases on account of his frequent visits
to the house, or his appearance with
Miss Lille in public.
At precisely three o'clock in the after
noon of the day whose events we are
chronicling the Boston express train
left the depot and proceeded duly on
its Journey; but if any friend of Mr..
George Hartly had been seeking him
among It's passengers, he would have
sought in vain, for we have it on the
best of evidence that he failed to put
in an appearance at that time and place.
At the same hour the bright and
dashing little yacht Fairy set sail from
one of the up town piers on the North
River, and, with fair wind, glided
beautifully out toward the bay.
On the quarter deck of the yacht
were grouped III picturesque and mu-
tuallv agreeable attitude about twenty
young ladies and gentlemen, while IN
the bows charming band made the air
melodious; and amidships heteroge-
neous gathering of baskets of wine,
hampers of provisions, and boxes OF
cigars promised even more than ga feast
of reason and flow of soul" and seat
ed on an afghan, and leaning over the
side of the yacht in friendliest com
munion, were Mr. John Rutledge and
that wickedest of young coquettes--
Miss Lille Gordon.
It is not the designsdethe present
writer to condemn Miss killie's fault in
thus comforting HERSELF Ruring the alb
sence of her lover from her side; but
we may privately state that that young
lady had been seriously displeased at
the GOODNESS of Mr.. Hartley's manner in
the matter of breaking engagements on
several occasions, and had chosen this
method designedly with the hope Of
bringing him to book, and indicating to
him a path for his future pursuit more
congenial to her own feelings. Add to
this the fact, known to this writer, that
Mr.. John Rutledge had, by his good
conduct, taken position in Miss Lii
lies esteem OF no trihing Importance,
although she herself was hardly aware
of it, and there are but few of our
young lady readers who will not be able
to find excuse for her-particularly
when they have read the remainder Of
this story.
The day was full of the beauty Of
early autumn The clear blue sky
framed in the heecy cloud pictures; the
soft and tender sunlight cleaned sill.
very and bright upon the pure white
sails the great city, with its hundred
steeples, faded away in the distance !;
Staten Island and its pleasant home
steads delighted the eye; and so down
through the "Kills " the Fairy foated
swiftly and gracefully toward the spot
which was to be the scene of their after
noon merry making.
a couple of hours sail brought the
yacht in front of a dense growth Of
old oak trees; and there, hauling it to
the bank, the anchor was thrown over,
the sails came Gathering down on the
deck, and the party disembarked, full
of glee, and making the ancient grove
resound with laughter and with song,
Seated under the brave trees, while the
fresh western winds trembled unsteady
among the branches, and the many
hued leaves came huttering down into
their laps, they discussed wine and
viands, drank toasts and sang songs,
and were as merry and happy as could
be reasonably expected. John Rntledge
gave himself up with dear delight to
the generous pleasures of the passing
moments; and if at times the black