Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-27
THE WRONG PILLAR-BOX.

nor RUSSELL with whom it was the
destiny Of Mr. Bygraye to fall in love.
Though he was far from handsome,
Eleanor Russell gradually felt tender
regard for him and being aware that he
had as has been said, competency, she
allowed that tender regard to wax
stronger and stronger, until she many
time caught herself signing and thinking:
"Oh, | wish he would PROPOSE"
Well, Tie did propose; and yet She be
came Mrs Twillett.
Now it CHANGED upon a day, or rather
night that Mr. and Mrs Russell fell
attacking, AS anxious parents will do,
about the prospects of their children,
and especially the lovely Eleanor
"Nelly's rather hard to please, l
fear said Mr. Russell, with the sigh of
4 professional man having limited means
and i large family, but with the chuckle
also OF an indulgent father, proud OF his
daughters personal attractions.
Not SO hard as you think, perhaps"
rcjoined Mrs RUSSELL Significantly.
What 70 mcan?" asked Mr. Fusscl,
petulantly.
Nelly's a dear, good girl, without any
nonsense" said the mother, scnten-
tiously
WHATS that to do with it," observed
the father, ngrily.
:" A great deal, my DEAR" responded
the mother, patronizingly. Nelly has
admitted to me that she very much pre-
fcrs Eygrave. And | must tell you,
when he was down here he was hanging
about Nelly in the most absurd manner,
and making her all sorts of presents"
lie must be brought to book" said
Mr. Russell, with determination.
shall have to go to town III Il few days,
and | shall call upon him at his cham
bers. | shall give him every opportunity
Of speaking out like a man, and if he
fights shy III speak to him. | can't have
my Nelly tritled with"
Take care you don't spoil matters"
observed Mrs Russell, warningly "You
men are 80 clumsy; my opinion IS that
Mr. Bygravc is very timid and dittident
about his personal appearance, although
/ did tell him, SO far as pretty plain hints
can be called telling, that he had moth
inc to fear on that score. Depend upon
ii, lie will propose in due time if you
keep yoNr awkward fingers out of the
pie
If he doesn't, I'll know the reason
why" observed Mr. Russell, in conclu-
sion
And he did propose. In fact, he had
already proposed at the very time when
he formed the topic of conversation be
tween the father and mother of his be
loved and loving Eleanor. And the time
was April /, 1S-.
Nevertheless, within twelve months of
that proposal, though there was no quar-
rel and no change in Bygrave's Circum-
stances Eleanor Russell became the wife
of James Twillett, a handsome man
enough, but, in other respects, no more
to be compared with John Bygrave than
a Satyr with Hyperion Above ALL
Twillctt hadn't competency; he was a
young professional man with fair pros
poets, certainly with but little or nothing
beyond the proceeds of his profession.
And why was it that Nelly never told
even her mother of the proposal made to
her by Bygrave? Until she became Mrs.
Twillett She never mentioned that pro
posal either to her mother or to any 9th
eli living soul
Mr. RUSSELL was as good as his word
When he paid his due visit to town he
called at Bygrave's chambers. The black
door was inhospitably shut, and on it
was pasted piece of paper bearing upon
ii some written characters. Mr.. Russell,
who was near-sighted, adjusted his glass
handwriting upon the VII, was for the
moment struck dumb, and, so soon as he
recovered the use of his tongue, made
use Of severe expressions. What he had
read was: leone to Jericho; return in
about eighteen months" That was all,
except the chronic notice in white letters
upon the black door to the effect that
messages and parcels" were 4" to be left
at the head porters lodge" To that lodge
Mr. Russell at once repaired
" Mr.. Bygrave appears to have gone
abroad?" said he, interrogatively, to the
porter
''Gone to Jericho, sir" answered the
porter pleasantly; for a little outing,
sir; comm home by way of Afriky in
about eighteen months. Letters not to
DC forwarded. Any message, sir?"
Dear mer replied Mr.. Russell, but
not to the question; it must have been
very suddenp'
Mr.. Bygrave's rather suddenish
gentleman, SIR asSented the porter with
a smile I've known him to come home
late from the Derby on a Wednesday
night and be off early next mornin', Just
leayin' note for his laundress to say,
that if anybody calls, he's gone to Beth
Fem for week or two"
Bethl'em" muttered Mr. Russell
land a very proper place for him. But,
he continued in a louder tone, 4 sup
pose YOU don't know why he should have
gone to Jericho just now?"
No, sir, | don't know exactly" re-
piled the good-humored porter. = But
can guess why he's gone to Jericho"
Mr.. Russell said nothing, but looked
eNpectant.
more contfdentially, Mr.. Bygrave':
most intimate friend is painter, gen
tleman that paints Scripture subjects
and that's engaged at present, as | have
heard, on a picture of the man that fel
among thieves; and Mr.. Bygrave, taxi
it, has gone to pay his friend visit
Mr.. Russell thanked the communica
tive porter and departed without leavin!
any message. For the only message h
could think of was: Tell hin. he was
villains" and the porter was hardly th
proper person to deliver it.
When Mr.. Russell reached his home Il
the country town where he practlced III
profession he sought the earliest oppol
tun!ty OF being closeted with his wife
In the conference that ensued both wer
utterly puzzled. How Bygrave shoul