The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-19
THE WRONG PILLAR BOX.

THE WkONG PlLLAH BOAs
Mrs.. Twillett was originally Miss Ell
eanor Fussell, with whom it was the des
tiny of Mr.. Bygraye to fall in love
Though he was far from handsome, Ell
eanor Fussell gradually felt tender re
gard 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 think
ing: ooh, wish he would propose
Well, he did propose; and yet she be.
came Mrs, Twillett.
Now it chanccd upon day, or rather
night, that Mr.. and Mrs. Fussell fell a
talking, 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.. Fussell, with the sigh of pro-
fcssional man having limited means and
a large family, but with the chuckle also
of an indulgcnt father proud of his
daughters personal attractions.
"Not so hard as you think, perhaps"
rejoined Mrs. Fussell, significantly.
"What dye mean?" asked Mr..
Fussell, petulantly.
"Nclly's dear, good girl, without
any nonsense" said the mother, senten-
tiously.
whats that to do with it%' observed
the father, angrily.
"a great deal, my DEAR" responded
the mother, patronizingly. "Nelly has
admitted to me that she very much pre-
fen Bygrave. And l 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.
"He must be brought to book" said
Mr.. Fussell, with determination. 81
shall have to go to town in few days,
and / shall call upon him at his cham
bers. i shall give him every opportunity
of speaking cut like man, and if he
fights shy I'll speak to him. l can't
have my Nelly trified with"
"Take care you don't spoil matters"
observed Mrs. Fussell, warningly. " You
men are so clumsy; my opinion is that
Mr. Bygrave is very timid and difiident
about his personal appearance, although
/ did tell him, so far as pretty plain
hints can be called telling, that he had
nothing to fear on that score. Depend
upon it, he will propose in due time, il
you keep your awkward fingers out OF
the pie"
"If he dosen't I'll know the reason
why" observed Mr.. Fussell 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 the mother of his
beloved and loving Eleanor. And the
time was April 1st, 1S-
Nevertheless, within twelve months
of that proposal, though there was no
quarrel and no change in Mr.. Bygrave's
circumstances, Eleanor Fussell became
the wife of James Twillett. A
handsome man enough, but, in other re-
spects, no more to be compared with
John Bygrave than Satyr with Hyper
ion. Above all, Twillett hadn't COM
potency; he was a young professional
man, with fair prospects, certainly with
but little or nothing beyond the pro-
ceeds of his profession.
And why was it that Nelly never
told even her mother of the proposal
made to her by Mr.. Bygrave? Until
she became Mrs. Twillett, she never men,
toned that proposal either to her mother
orany other living soul.
Mr.. Fussell 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
up0n it some written characters. Mr..
Fussell was near-sighted, adjusted his
glasses, went up close to the door, read
the handwriting upon the wall, was for
the moment struck dumb, and, 10 soon
ashe recovered the use of his tongue,
made use of severe expressions. What
he read was: "Gone to Jericho: re-
turn 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.. Fussell at once re-
paired
"Mr. Bygrave appears to have gone
abroad g' said he, interrogatively, to the
porter.
"Gone TO Jericho, sir" answered the
porter, pleasantly, " for little outing
sir; comm home by way of Afriky in
about eighteen months. Letters not to
be forwarded. Any message, sir %
"Dcar mep replied Mr.. Fussell, but
not to the question ait must have
been very sudden p
"Mr. Bygrave's is rather suddenish
gentleman, sir" asscnted 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 leavin' note for his
laundress, to say, that if anybody calls
he's gone TO BcthPem for a week OF
two"
BethHem," muttercd Mr.. RUSSELL
"and a very proper place for him." But
he continued, in louder tone. sup
pose you don't know why he should have
gone to Jericho just nowr'
"No, sir, / don't know exactly" re.
piled the good humored porter. hBut
can guess why he's gone to Jericho"
Mr.. Fusscll said nothing, but looked
expectant
more confidentially, "Mr. Bygrave's most
intimate friend is painter, a gentleman
that paints Scripture subjects, and that's
engaged at present, as / have heard, on
a picture Of the man that fell among
thieves; and Mr.. Bygrave, take il, has
gone TO pay his friend visit"
Mr.. Fussell thanked the communicat.
i've porter, and departed without leav.
ing any me,sage For the only message
he could think Of was, Tell him he was
a william" and the porter was hardly
the proper person TO deliver IL.