Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-03-15
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SILVER
SPOONS.

There are bur four of them lief, now in
this particular branch of the family, but
battered thin and worn as they are, they
suggest what was the beauty of the orig
inai set, with their slender curving stems,
shallow bowls, and the quaint marking of
the letters II. NJ" tied together with
true lovers knot and surrounded by
faint traccry OF papeleaves and tendrls.
II is 100 years since pretty great grand
mother, with her blue eyes, blonde. brown
hair, and delicate straight nose, wrapped
them in soft pare and laid them away in
her chest touching the m with tremulous
fingers, hiuslIing family rs she looked
with her lover at this par, Of what the
neighbors called her setting out"
g IL is little use in tea-drinking they
will he 70 Us, | think, sweetheart, at least
until these present times are overcome.
But tl,at does not make You To fear too
mcager happiness with me, does it, Pris-
.cillaY" asked stalwart young William
Deone, tcnderly clasping the shy, small
hand.
els it then your way to measure happi-
ness by the size and fullness of a tea
caddyT" queried Priscilla, archly Il
thought that did belong mainly to women
like my Aunt Deborah. For me, | care
not il never taste tea until the British
drink up that now stepping in Boston har-
Dor. Yet think it very amiable in my
Uncle Nathaniel 10 give me these pretty
spoons; do not your
81 think lac could not be less than
amable to thee, il he carries mans
heart in his breast" answered William;
aud II is 10 be presumed he emphasized
his gallan, speech in the fashion of lovers
nowadays,
For there are some customs century
cannot alter.
Then they fell to talking more soberly
of the hopes and plans now held in sus-
peuse by reason Of the unsettled times,
and William, after the manner of men,
urged an immediate marriage; for what
could anything signify when he once held
Priscilla quite his own to shield against
all the world?
. cannot leave my mother; she is all
ing sorely while my father stays away,
and there is none but me to have rule
over the boys and keep her heart from too
great heayincSs," said Priscilla gravcly.
Then let me come and help you,
sweetheart" urged her lover. There is
need for q mans hand in the household
until your fathers ship comes back, and
cannot rest To see YOU lifting burdens
greater than your strength. And then ii
We must have war to insure our liberties,
| shall leave my wife 10 pray for my safe
~, OF weep over my death"
AT which dire suggestion pretty great
grandmother snuddercd aud wept, after
the manner of women none the less held
fast TO her FIRST decision.
You may not leave your own duties,
II. To-, ..
them lightened in that way. And rs for
war God forbid il come; but | think
Priscilla More's love and prayers would
be no weaker than Priscilla Deane's"
Ii could not be gainsaid that William
Dcsnc's widowed mother had need of him
There were two other broad shouldered
sons, but they had households OF their
own. he was the youngest, on whom fell
the lot Ia abide by the stud, and carry on
the farm for his mother and sisters
That had not seemed an unpleasant future
when Priscilla More had promised 10
share Il aud bring her sunny presence in
Ia the home. But now the young man s
heart was gloomy as he strobe away from
the little wooden house in tharlestown,
muSing ON the signs OF the troublouS times,
unconscious tina, Priscilla's bright parting
smile had been quenched in the few de
spending tears she Was too brave 10 she'd
before him.
However, IN those days people could
spend little time in weeping or medita-
tion, and the lovers had enough healthy
work To keep thom from morbid mourn.
ing while The cold months ot winter
dragged on towards spring and Cap
tain Morc's return. He came one week
and the next the guns of Lexington and
Concord echoed through the colonies
and the struggle Tor liberty was begun
in earnest In tAe gathering of militia
and new recruits that answered this call
the returned sailor was not found want
ing: with his Oldest son, lad of sixteen,
he Joined the ranks, and Priscilla babe
him gooi-speed with words of daughte"ly
cheer
= would | were your son, too She
said smritedlN Then ! would 20, too.
at your side. and show the British What
stun they have despised
William Deany likes YOU better as,
you asr. and father ana | will 90 your
Fighting for you, said young Thomas,
bestawlnC a boy $ hearty embrace un hi,
pretty sister What shall tell William
ii see him among the JroopSY"
He will boAeIc whether YOU discover