Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1872-09-13
Miscellany.
THE MYSTERIOUS GIFT.

AT last the matchmaker paused from
his task and called us to look at it, It was
some kind of registering instrument for
the coast 'sdTvey--a patent on which he
greatly prided himself. Seven or eight
pendulums were arranged in such man
ner that their number corrected the sin
gle error of each escapement. Further I
do not remember, but only recalled how
we marveled at the beautiful steadiness
of the movement, and how my wife clap
ped her hands joyously at the happy end
of so much toll and thought
''It is done," said the Matchmaker ris-
ing "Let us look how the night goes
for it was a constant custom with him al
ways before going to bed to stand at the
door for little while and look up at the
heavens. He said it was to see what the
weather would De, matter in which he
greatly concerned himself, keeping pet
thermometer in the garden, and noting,
every day, its eccentricities with an inter
est which no one but my wife ever made
believe to share. followed him to the
open door, where he stood leaning against
the side-pOst, looking steadily up at the
sky. The air was crisp and COOL and over
head, thick as snow flakes, the stars twin
kled as if they were keeping time to the
ticking clocks Presently my wife comes
out, and laying a.hand on his arm, stood
beside us and drank in the delicious calm
of the autumn night, while the lad fidget-
ed under his elbow between them, and
got his share of the starlight and the
quiet.
cit seems hard to think they are all
moving forever and ever" said the boy.
'I wonder if they are wound up as often
as yourlclocks, father?"
l. al onII nff oil Il
Willow, land must stop some of these
days, / suppose. Did you ever think of
that, little Summer?"
"Will last our time" said my wife.
''Your timer returned the clockmaker;
"your time is forever little woman; you
may live in the days not of this world, to
see the old wonder of it all fade out and
perish"
Just then q man stopped in front of us
and said, 'does Mr.. Willow live here?"
eyes" said 1; and as he came toward
us we naturally gave way, thinking him
some belated customer, and he entered
the lighted shop, ~
Then Willow turned again, and the two
men came face to face The stranger
was man of great height, but spare and
delicate. He leaned on a gold-headed
cane somewhat feebly, and semed to me a
person of great age. What struck me
most, however, was the ease and grace of
of his bearing, and q certain elegance of
dress and manner. The moment Willow
set eyes on him he staggered back, reeled
a moment, and, catching at chair, fell
against thet tail clock over which he had
set the figure of Time. What has
brought you here?" he cried hoarsely'
MY son, my boy" said the elder man,
hxyi itc cir n
ness, "can you never, never forgetp
ssForget!''a the other. 81 had al
most come to that, but, remembering
anew, how can l ever forgive? Co." he
cried fercely, darting forward on sud-
den and opening the door. "Go before
the madness comes upon me. Go, before
| curse you.p Then he reeled again, and,
growing white, fell into chair, aud, as il
choked with emotion, stayed, rigidly
pointing to the door.
Then nv wife ran forward. leave
us" she said, ''whoever you are. You
see how i'll he is. You can do no good
here. Come again if you will, but go
away now"
The stranger hesitated and looked in
beWilderment from one to another, while
the lad, till then silent, opened the door
wider and said gently, 'Will tplease you
to go, grand d-papa?"
"NIy boy-his boy !" exclaimed the
newcomer, patting his curly head. Nov
am indeed punished" he added, for the
lad shrunk back with look of horror
quite strange on face so young; and
suddenly covering his face with both
hands, the elder man went by him and
passed out into the street without 8
word. Then the boy hastily shut the
door. and we turned to Willow, who had
fallen in something like swoon from his
chair. Silently or with whispers we
gathered about him, while my wife
broughta pillow and some water ano
cave him a drink. At last we got him ut
Stairs to our own room, where for sons
time he lay ID a state Of feebleness, which II; 4
seemed to me very strange in one SO Vig R
orous but a little while before; On tn5
next morning after his attack ne shoWee
some uneasiness, and at length was una
bic to bid us-take down the painted arms
over tile fireplace and hide them away
but beyond this he gave 4no sign OF VIVA
he had passed through, and BY, SLOW oe
grees got back again very nearly MS WohC
ed habits and mode of life.
asAS