Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-11-11
A STORY OF HUMBLE HEROISM.

her son. The old woman had, till her sight
failed her, not only earned sufficient liveli-
hood, bat had saved little money by max
ing that kind OF lace for the manufacture OF
which Honiton is so widely famed. When
from the iniirmites OF age she could
fully it happened, fortunately, that her
son by his labor as a farm-servant was
able To make up the deficiency. He was q
fine, spirited young fellow, who went through
his laborious occupations with a good will
and cheerfulness which was SO satisfactory
90 his employer that he determined to ad-
vance, whenever opportunities offered, so as
siduous a servant and good q son.
Some two years before our story opens it
happened that young woman, the daugh-
ter Of dccayed farmer in the southern part
O the county, came to superlntend the dairy
N Luke Damereps master. IT was not un-
natural that the buxom lass and the young
mau should form mutual attachment.
As they were both very well conducted per-
sons their love passages were looked upon
with favorable eye both by Dame Damerel
and by the farmers wife, Mrs. Woodbury.,
though neither openly sanctioned 1t, for
prudence sake. Luke and Lucy, however,
loved on, as they thought, in secret, de-
termining not TO reveal their mutual afrec-
ton till they should be placed in circum-
stances TO get married. Things remained
tu&S IOI more tUhu II year anu nail, Wucn
Farmer Modbury's wife died and other cir
cu,nstances occurred which induced him to
promote Luke TO more lucrative and re-
rponsible situation on the farm. Shortly
after the demise OF his wife also he found It
expedient to give Lucy, in addition to her
dairy duties, the sole charge OF the house
keeping
With the rise in his fortunes, Luke's
thoughts were directed to the accomplish
al his Aeoraat al ta i.J IA,
passion to his mother, consulting her on the
proprety OF the step he wished TO take;
which was simply to marry Lucy and bring
her to live In the cottage The old dame was
not surprised at the proposal, for she ex-
pected 1t to be made from the day Luke's
wages were increased. She had made up her
mind what to advise, and did not shrink from
advising 1t, although it would not be agreea.
BILE 10 her son.
" Luke" she said, "you must still wait.
Your earnings are not sufficient to keep Lucy
comfortably; and she, you know, would have
To give up her place, which is now good
one. So you would not only be injuring your
self, but her also"
Luke fired np At this, and unkindly limited
That his mother did not wish TO have II com.
panion TO share their home. The old dame,
though much hurt, denied that any such
feeling swaycd her, and advised him to
consalt Lucy herself, Dame Damerel had
that confidence in the girls good sense
and prudence, and she was sure even Lucy
would not consent to marry so soon as Luke
wished
In no very amiable mood the lover sought
his mistress at the farm house. He went into
the kitchen aud not finding Lucy there in.
'auired of one OF the maids where she was.
With sly, ominous expression the girl re-
piled " that MiSs Lucy was in the best parlor
making tea for master" This information
gave poor Luke panic. He trembled, turned
pale and hastily retreated from the house.
Discontinued thoughts filled his mind. " No
doubt" he said almost aloud, AS he walked
homeward--" no doubt she'll not consent
when propose to marry her, though | can
Keep her. Farmer Woodbury. will be "A better
match fer her than u hard working lad like
me, But I'll see about that lit shall be now
or never II she won't marry me In week
she never shall" In truth Luke had been
focling pang of jealousy creep over him
ever since Lucy was promoted to be Mod
leury's housckeeper and that she should be
submitted alone with him into the best parlor
~ make his tea confirmed what were prcvi-
o~Isly only suspicious, On entering the cot
tagc bis wild looks almost frightened his
mother; but he WAS silent as To the cause and
went sullenly TO bed.
Farmer Woodbury. kept up the good old
Dovonshre custom OF dining with all the PEG.
tfit III nlS htUi, anu inc uhN alNtT,
.heu Luke with the rest of his companions
sat at the table, he watched the actions and
countuBanCeS of Lucy and her master to
catch new causes for the tormenting feeling
which possessed him The meal concluded
hc followed the girl to the dairy, as was his
custom; for short and sweet interview
could always be suatched at that time. The
pCescnt one was, however the reverse. In Il
hard tone of voice. and with An abrupt man
ner, Luke inquired II she were ready to have
him. The girl frankly answered:
"Di course | am, Luke; hut what should
NAL you ask the question on such sud
icn~'
luke's jealousy was little assuaged by
Lucy's open and conhdng manner, aud be
coming more calm he told her his plans
III viii never do, Luke she replied. BE
sides, my father, whom | must send to
about II, would not consent No, no; We must
wait"
Watt for what, should like to know
To give master, | suppose, chance Of
81"
"Ot what, Luke
Why said Luke, worked up into a sort
~ frenzy blythe very thought" why, OF ask.
tng you To take poor dead and gone missus'
pisCol'
The color mounted to Lucy Fenuers face
she cast i reproaChful look on her lover and
seemed rcSdy TO cry; but woman'S pride came
20 her aid, and she left the dairy, as IL afraid
70 hear apotherof Lubes terrible words Had
she young man not gone out Immediately he
might have heard Unsurpassed soos issue
from the room into which the maiden had
shut herself.
She Is afraid % face me-" said Luke TO
himself As he crossed the courtyard NO,
no, che can't deceive me, though she is try.
iag"
The directions pamerel gave 70 The work
men that afternoon were SO injudicious that
his master happening 10 oyerhear him tel a
ditcher TO MI up drain which ought to have
been opened gave him severe rvprimaud.
Luke received what WAS said with the worst
feelings, continually repeating to himself
All, he has a spite against me now. He
aid not make the girl his housekeeper for
nothing. I'm not wanted here, | can see"