Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-02-29
toric interest, for the mental rest which

Atlantic coast, Mr.. Durant accepted the
invitation to accompany them to Sara
toga and Niagara, then to New York
where leaving the ladies', Mr.. Wads
worth and Mr. Durant wandered from
town to town along the coast, enjoying
the beauty of the scenery and the quiet
hospitality that greeted them more
than the crowded hotels and the fash
ionable style of the popular watering
places. Fancy and the kind hand 0.
Providence at length led them to the
little town of B, and the second
evening after their arrival they visited
the Masonic Lodge. A warm welcome
was extended to these Brethren from
such distant homes. and both were in
vlted to address the Lodge. Mr.. Dur
ant said.
Brethren, have travelled much and
long. | have found Masonic sympathy
i'll every part of the globe, and every
where is Masonry, substantially the
same. | can hardly tell where | reside.
The world seems to be my homie, as |
remain but a short time IN any town or
country, but my name is recorded IN an
L
brethren, for they first brought me from
darkness to light, and / love English
soil, for with it sleeps the life OF my
youth. But / love American soil, also
for here | have found the warmest of
welcomes, the kindest of brethren. And
here, too, my own child is sleeping in
American waters, even beneath the very
waves that wash the shores of your
beautiful village.
g Six years have passed since this
dear friend and brother robbed himself
of his life preserver, that my little Eva
might perhaps escape, and we hoped
that the elements might be kind, and
that heaven would send her relief, but
she was never heard of more, y
The voice of Mr. Durant was quiver-
ing with emotion, and unable to speak
further, he seated himself and covered
his face with his hands
Chances of surprise and pleasure
were cast from one to another among
the brethren Of Hiram Lodge. No one
spoke, however, but all eyes turned
upon the Master Mr.. Turner For a
moment he seemed rejecting, then
taking a slip ofpaper from the Secre-
tary, he wrote;
Mrs. Tuner-Do not allow Eva to
retire until | return home; tell her [
am going to bring strange gentleman
who wishes 10 see her, And calling
the Junior Deacon, Mr.. Turner gave
him the note, saying III a low voice,
- Take thls note TO Mrs. Turner imme-
diately.n
Why, Eva" said Mrs, Turner,
when she had read the message, "you
are going to have company. A strange
gentleman is nj the lodge who wishes
to see you.
"Who can it be ~
Eva looked perplexed and thought
ful, suddenly her cheek flushed. her
eyes lighted, and clapping her little
hands, she sprang to her feet aud ex-
claimed, oh, IL must be papa no
one else would wish to see me, no one
in the world and before Mrs. Turner
the CHI lids interpretat-
ion, she had passed the threshold and
was fitting through the moonlight to-
ward the lodge room. The Tier looked
amazed when Eva burst into the ante
room, her cheeks burning and her eyes
flashing with Joy and excitement.
800 not stop me; | am going in -
she exclaimed. But the inner door was
fastened, and the impatient Eva nearly
cIed with veXatlon.
wait Moment said the Tiler,
who having heard nothing of what had
within, was at loss to ac-
count for the strange conduct OF child;
wait moment, and | will send your
request to Mr. Turner, He will come
out and see you.
u shall not wait | DO not want to
see Mr.. Turner, | want to see my pa.
pa.
THE child Is crazy, that is evident, :
sand the perplexed Tier to himself but
calling out the deacon, he babe hlm
say that Eva was there and had deter
mined to get into the lodge room.
The deacon went to the East, and de.
lvered his message in low tone, and
moment afterward moved THAT the
craft be called from labor to refresh
meut.
And Eva did come, or rather bounded
into the hall, more beautiful in her ex-
element than ever before. She adj
vanced to the centre of the room and
stood beside the altar; half poised
upon the tiny root she scanned rapidly
the faces of all. Her eager eyes soon
detecte the strangers, who were seated
behind the rest, and for a moment
seemed irresolute, then darting forward
with a glad cry, she threw her arms
about the neck Of Mr.. Durant, crying,
'Oh, papa, my dear papa, you have
come home at last. You were not
burned in the ship
we will not attempt topaintthe scene
further, but will leave our readers te
imagine the Joy OF the fond father, and
LDl IN, - Anniln mhethnr tha