Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-08-27
THE WRONG PILLAR.BOX.

THE WRONG PILLAR.BOX.
Mrs Twillett was originally Miss Flea
nor Russell, with whom 1t was the
destiny of Mr.. Bygrave to fall in love.
Though he was far from handsome,
Eleanor Russell gradually felt a 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 a
time caught herself signing and thinking
"Oh, wish he would propose"
Well, he did propose; and yet she be-
came Mrs. Twillett..
Now it CHANGED upon 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,
fear" said Mr.. Russell, with the sigh of
a professional man having limited means
and large family, but with the chuckle
also of an indulgent father, proud OF his
daughters personal attractions.
Mot so hard as you think perhaps"
reioined Mrs Russell, Significantly.
"What dive meang" asked Mr.. Russell,
petulantly.
"Nelly's dear, good girl, without any
nonsense" said the mother, senten-
tiousy.
whats that to do with it," observed
the father angrly.
"a great deal, my dear" responded
the mother, patronizingly- Nelly has
admitted to me that she very much pre-
fers Bygravc 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"
Gle must be brought to book" said
Mr.. RUSSELL with determination 81
shall have to 90 to town in 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. l can't have
my Nelly trihed with"
take care you don't spoil matters !"
observed Mrs Russell, warningly. you
men are so clumsy my opinion is that
Mr. Bygrave is very timid and ditfident
about his personal appearance, although
did tell him, so far as pretty plain hints
can be called telling, that he had moth
ing to fear on that score. Depend upon
it, he will propose in due time if you
keep your awkward fingers out of the
pie"
Z" 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 1, 49,.
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, handsome man
enough, but, in other respects, no more
to be compared with John Bygrave than
Satyr with Hyperion. Above all,
Twillett hadn't a 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.
Iwillett she never mentioned that pro-
posal either 10 her mother or to any 9TH
er 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 inEospitably shut, and on it
was pasted piece of paper bearing upon
1t some written characters. Mr.. Russell
who was sighted, adjusted his glass
.es, went close up to the door, read the
handwriting upon the wall, 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: Gone 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 to be left
at the head porter's lodge To that lodge
Mr. Russell at once repaired.
Mr.. Bygrave appears to have gone
aoroad?" said he, interrogatively, to the
porter.
"Gone to Jericho, sir" answered the
porter pleasantly; for little outing
sir; comm home by way of Afriky il
about eighteen months Letters not tC
oe forwarded. Any message, sir?"
Dear me-" replied Mr.. Russell, but
not to the question; =" it must have beer
very student"
Mr.. Bygrave's a rather suddenisl
gentleman, sir" assented the porter will
a smile. I've known him to come home
late from the Derby on a Wednesday