Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-09-25
THE WRONG PILLAR-BOX.

Mrs. Twillet was originally Miss Eleanor
Russell, with whom it was the destiny OF
Nh. Bygrave to fall in love. Though he was
far from handsome, Eleanor Russell grad
ually felt a tender regard for him; and
being aware that he had, as has been said
competency, she allowed that tender re-
l,gard to wax stronger, until she many a
time caught herself signing and thinking
l"Oh, wish he would PROPOSED"
Well he did propose; and yet she became
Mrs. Twillet.
Now, it CHANGED upon a. day, OF rather
night, that Nh. and Mrs. Fussel fell a-talk-
ing, as anxious parents will do, about theil
children, and, espec tally, the lovely Elean-
or.
''Nelly's rather hard to please, [ fear, ,;
said Mr.. Russell, with the sigh OF pro
fessional man having limited means and a
large family, but with the chuckle also OF
an indulgent father proud of his daughter IS
personal attractions.
"Not SO hard as you think, perhaps re-
joined Mrs. Russell, significantly.
''What dye mean ~ asked Nh. Russell,
petulantly.
''Nelly's a dear, good girl, without any
nonsense, said the mother, sententlously
"What's that to do with it ?'' observed
the father, angrily.
CA great deal, my dear" responded the
mother patronizmgly. NELLY has admitted
to me that she very much prefers Bygrave
And I 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 MI.
Russell, with determination. II shall have
to go to town in a few days, and shall
call upon him ut his chambers. | Shall give
him every opportunity Of speaking out like
! a man, and if he fights shy I'll speak tc
him. can t have my Nelly trihed with. >
'Take care you don't spoil Matters - OBJ
served Mrs. Russell, warningly. ''Y oume
are SO clumsy; my opinion is that Mr.. By
grave is very timid and dif1ident about his
personal appearance, although [ did tel
him, so far as pretty plain hints can be
called telling, that he had nothing to feal
on that score. Depend upon it, he viii
propose in due time, if you keep your awll
ward fingers out Of the pie.''
eff he doesn't, II know the reason
Why" observed Mr.. Russell. in conclusion
And he did propose. In fact, he had al
ready proposed at the very time when he
formed the topic of conversation between
the father and mother of his beloved an(
l, IS.
Nevertheless, within twelve months oil
that proposal, though there was no quarre
and no change in Bygrave's circumstances
Eleanor Russell became the wife of James
Twillett, handsome man enough, but, il
other respects, no more to be compared
with John Bygrave than a Satyr with Hy
perion. Above all, Twillett hadn't com
potency; he Was a young professional
man, with fair prospects, certainly will
but little OF 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 Oh any Other
living soul.
MI. Russell was as good as his word
When he paid his due visit to town, hi
called at Bygraves chambers. The back
door was inhospitably shut, and Oh it wa
pasted a piece of paper, bearing upon il
some written characters. Mr.. Russell, Wh'
was near-sighted, adjusted his glass, wen
close up to the door, read the handwriting
upon the wall, was for the moment strucl
dumb, and so soon as he recovered the us
of his tongue, made use of severe expires
sions. What he read was "Gone to Jel
icho; return in about eighteen months.
That was all, except the chronic notice il
white letters upon the black door, to TIL
effect that messages and parcels" wer
ssto be left at the head porter's LODGE
To that lodge Mr.. Russell at once rt
paired.
''Mr. Bygrave appears to have gon
abroad ?" said he, interrogatively, to til
porter.
sGone to Jericho, sir" answered tn
porter, pleasantly "for little outing, Sill
COMM home by way OF AfriKy i'll abou
eighteen months. Letters not to be TO
warded. Any message, sir -
"Dear me p replied Mr. Russell, but nc
to the question cit must have been ver
sudden p
ssMr. Bygrave's rather suddenish gel
tleman, SIR assented the porter with
smile. 'sI've known him to come hon
late from the Derby on a Wednesday nigh
and be off early next morniD', just leavn
note for his laundress o say, that, II an
sIbody calls, he's gone to Beth'lem fol-
J, week OF two"
ssBeth lem, - muttered Mr.. Russell IAN
very proper place for him. But, " he col
tinued, in a louder tone, II suppose yo
don't know why he should have gone
Jericho just now ?''
s'No, sir, don't know exactly" replle
: the good-humored porter. "But I can g"e