Connecticut western news., 1874-10-09
THE WRONG PILLAR.BOX.

THE WRONG PILLAR BOX.
 Mrs Twillet was originally Miss Eleanor Russell, with whom it was the destiny of MT. Bygrave 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,a competency, she allowed that tender regard to wax stronger and stronger, until she many time caught herself signing and thinking "Oh, wish he would pro- pose P -.s ...'
 Well, he did propose; aud yet she became Mrs. Twillett.
 Now it chanced upon day, or rather night, that MT. and Mrs. Fussel fell 8 talking, as anxious parents will do, about the prospects of their children, and, especially, the lovely Eleanor. ; "Nelly's rather hard to please, I fear," said MT. Russell, with the sigh of professional man, having limited means End large family, but with the ehuck11e of an indulgent father, proud of his d.aughter's personal attractions.
 Not so hard as you think, per- haps," rejoined Mrs. Russell, signifi- | cantly.
 What dye mean ?" asked Mir. Fus- sell, petulently.
 "Nelly's dear, good girl, without any nonsense" said the mother, senten- tiouslY.
 "What's that to do with it ?" ob- served the father, angrily.
 "A great deal my dear," responded the mother, patronizingly. "Nelly has admitted to me that she very much pre-. fers Bygrave. And I must tell you, when he was down here he was hang ing about Nelly in the most absurd manner, and making her all sorts of presents"
 "He must be brought to book" said MT. Russell, with determination. "I shall have to go to town in few days, and shall call upon him at his cham bers. shall give him every oppor- tunity of speaking out like man, and if he fights shy I'll speak to him. I can't have my Nelly trifed with. |" 'Take care you don't spoil matters" :" observed Mrs. Russell, warningly. You men are so clumsy ; my opinion is that MT. Bygrave is very timid and difident about his personal appearance, although I 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, if you keep your awkward fingers out of the pie"
 eff he doesn't, I'll know the req son why," observed Mir. Russell, in con- clusion. -31 r~
 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 Eleaner. And the time was April 1, 18-.
 | Nevertheless, within twelve months of that proposal, though there was no quarrel and no change in Bygrave's cir cumstances, Eleanor Russell became the wife of James Twillett, 8 handsome man enough, but, in other respects, no more to be compared with John By grave than Satyr with Hyperion. Above,all, Twillett hadn't competen- Joy he was young professional man, with fair prospects, 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 Byqrave? Until she became Mrs. Twillett, she never mentioned that proposal either to her mother or any other living soul.
 MT. 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, bear. ing upon it some written characters. MT. Russell, who was near r-sighted, ad. justed his glasses, 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 oi his tongue, made use of severe expres sions. 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 messa ges and parcels" were ''to be left at tho head porter's lodge." To that lodge MT. Russell at once repaired. | "Mr. Bygrave appears to have gont 1 abroad ?" said he, interrogatively, te the porter:
 "Gone to Jericho, sir," answered tn. porter, pleasantly, '' for little outing sir i; comin' home by way of Afriky 1T about eighteen months. Letters not tt be forwarded. Any message, sir ?"
 "Dear me !" replied MT. Russell, bu not to the question "it must hav' been very sudden p
 "Mr. Bygrave's rather 8 suddenisl gentleman, sir," assented the porter with 8 smile. fI've known him t, come home late from the Derby on Wednesday night, and be off early mex mornin', just leavin' note for hi laundress to say, that if anybody calls he's gone to BethPem for week o two."
 Bethrem," muttered MT. Russell and g very proper place for him But" he continued, in 8 louder tone "I suppose you don't know why b should have gone to Jericho jus now ?"
 "No, sir, I don't know exactly" re . piled the good humered porter. "Bu I can guess why he's gone to Jericho.
 MT. Russell said nothing, but locke expectant.
 "You see, sir," continued the porter more confdentially, "Mr. Bygrave'
 most intimate friend is painter, 8 ger tleman that paints Scripture subjects and that's engaged at present, as hay < heard, on @ picture of the man that fe amougs thieves and MT. Bygrave,
 take it. has gone to pay his friend
 visit"