Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-11-11
Gent to procure her lo 70 discharge from

Gent to procure her lo( = discharge from
the army.
Poor Lucy could han believe her eve.
when the manufacturer "a down the bank.
notes before her. She p he'd them carefully
into the bosom OF her fix and hastened to
tell Dame Damerel thEf all their troubles
were over. The old wo,sn's eyes glistened
as Lucy unpiRned her taosure and laid it on
the table. 1t was cOutod, recounted and
wondered over. What g to be done with II
till the rest was procurtgt Who would take
care Of it?
This delight was, abweyer. someuba,
damped when they c1ue to consider that
putting aside all uncerSinty about his fate,
it would be at least six 1onths before Luke's
discharge could reach him; then an addi-
tional half year would lapse ere he could
get back. 1t was 4ng time to wait
l" Never mind. dear motier," said Lucy, "the
time that has passed once he left seems
scarcely year, altheue1 it is three. II ia
only because the twclySmonth is to come
that it appears to be 81 long. Still" she
said, considering and eaving deep sigh
we have not got his discharge yet, and
great as this sum is sora must be earned to
make up the rest"
"Leave that to me-" Hturned Mrs Dame.
rel.
Next day when Lucy returned from the
Postoffice where she adltaken letter for
Luke she found another tying on the table,
in Larkin's handwriting. On reading the
superscription she found It was addressed to
the war-otfice "Yes," aid Mrs. Damerel,
in answer TO her inquirinf glances, it is all
done now, Lucy; and thij letter is to be sent
OF to tell the great peopl, that We have the
money ready to buy our dear Luke OFT
again"
I.arkin had, in truth, gladly supplied the
small sum which was deficient The letter was
sent, and in less than q week an immense
dispatch found its way to the village, which
excited universal wonderment. 1t was a
great, oblong missive with the words "On
His Hajesty's service" printed on the top 1t
had an enormous seal and was directed 10
Mr.. Thomas Larkfh." crowd OF idlers
followed the postman with this epistolary
phenomenon, in the hope Of getting some
knowledge Of it's contents. Tom, however,
when he read it, coolly put it into his pocket
and walked to the cottage without saying a
word TO anybody.
This letter seemed like climax to Lucy's
good fortune, and begged to inform Mr..
Larkin that Corporal Farrier Damerel was
on his way to England to superintend the
selection of troop horses, and that his dis
charge would be made out when he had ar.
rived and performed that duty"
Scarcely month after the arrival of the
official dispatch Corporal OF dragons was
by crossing them in great haste without any
regard to the footpaths. An old plowman
roughly warned him OF, threatening personal
election.
"What, Roger Dart!" exclaimed the sol.
der, lis this the way you welcome man
home after long absence"
The plowman stared and said he did not
know him.
"Do you know" rejoined the Corporal,
with trembling voice and anxious counte-
nance" do you know Lucy Fennely'
"Of course do" returned Roger, "every-
body knows her. and, If may make 80 bold,
loves her too? Why, sure enough, there she
is sitting-don't you see? there, sitting at
Dame Damerels door making lace for the life
of her"
The stranger flew across the field, and the
plowman saw him bound over the hedge, take
Lucy into his arms, and drag her, bewildered
and enraptured, into the cottage.
why, dang me if it bean't Luke Damerel!"
exclaimed the rustic, slapping the thighs of
his leather breeches; show main glad the
folks will be to see uni know what III do"
Whereupon Roger trudged across the fields
| toward the church. He happened to be one
OF the parish ringers, and calling his mates
from the fields they all trudged off to the
beethoven and rang out as merry peal as
ever was heard. The whole country was in
commotion; the news ran like wild-tirc from
lip 10 III ana ear TO ear, till the cottage was
| beset with visitors within and without But
Luke heard no welcome, felt no grasp, but
that of Lucy and his mother. As to Lucy, an
| intense happiness thrilled through her. which
| absorbed all her faculties, except that Of feel
ing the full extent of her bliss.
This story Of patience, endurance, and faith
| in humble life is almost ended. Lukes fur
| Tough only extended to week, which he
spent az an inmate Of the farm, at Modburys
| earnest entreaty; for he now gave up all hope
| OF Lucy, and determined to help IN reward
ing her patience by promoting the match
with his rival. At the end Of that time Luke
was obliged TO depart for Yorkshire, to meet
the veterinary surgeon and purchase horses,
| in which he was found of the utmost use; but
this, together with his excellent character,
operated most unfavorably for his discharge.
The authorities were unwilling to lose so good
q soldier. The interest of the esquire, how.
ever, whose son was a cornet in Luke's troop,
was set to work, the hard-earned money
paid, and the discharge obtained. Damerel
got a farm let to him on advantageous terms,
close TO his native village, and was married
amidst most noisy demonstrations by Roger
and his company Of ringers. Woodbury. had
taken TO wife Lucy's friend, Susan Larkn.
The last time ! was in Devonshire called
GU Mr.. and Mrs. Damerel. They are an in
teresting old couple, who have brought up
large family in comfort and respectability.