Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-04-05
MIR. BEAMAN'S MISTAKE,

1t was the close of the afternoon service
in the village church of Byticlo. The
last notes Of the doxology were still echo
ing from the singing gallery; and the con
grega,on, with a rustic and stir, turned
their faces toward the minister for the
bcnedictlon. in the brief pause before it
was spoken old Mr.. Beaman the town
clerk of Byheld, stepped in front of the
pulpit, and raising his hand, said, in
loud, clear voice: know all whom it
may concern, that Mark Boynton of this
town and Elizabeth Heath OF the same in.
tend marriage.
There was a movement through the
whole congregation rs If it were per
yaued by IN electric shock, and looks
OF surprise passed from eye 10 eye
But there were three persons present
ON whom the clerks announcement fell
like thundcrbolt. One of these was a
young girl with pale face and a subdued
and downcast eye. When Mr. Beaman
began To speak she listened with a kind
OF patient composure but ms the names
were announced wild, startled look
came into her eyes, she sank back upon
her seat and buried her now burning face
in her hands.
No, many slips removed stood a man of
perhaps iorty--a grave and sober person,
with hair slightly turning to gray. His
face, habitually "A somewhat sad one, had
worn throughout the service that dav n
look OF cheerful content; but as Mr.. Bea-
man made his announcement ii took on
the paleness of death. Ills head dropped
upon his breast, and he stood like one par
aly2ed, clasping the railing OF the pew for
support.
Very different was the effect pro.
duced upon young man, the solitary
occupant OF pew not far away He
had been standing with dropping
head and downeast, heavy look but as he
heard the words OF the old clerk he started
yisibly, The blood mounted In u crimson
lush to his forehead while his eve
flashed with II look blended of triumph
and defiance, and his lips closed with an
expression OF stern resolve.
There was painful hush over all the
house, as II every one present We're strange.
~ moved To sympathy wi;h one or another
of those SO deeply and variously affected
10y what had been said Ii was broken 10y
the voice OF the minister saying solemnly:
And now may grace, mercy and peace,
the love of God, and the communion of
His Holy Spirit, be and abide with you all
for ever. Amen" And the people mov.
cd silently out of the church
The pale ahd stricken man on whom,
the old clerks most unexpected words had
fallen SO like the stroke of doom, was
Robert locelyn. lie had listened that
day 70 hear his own name coupled with
that of the lovely girl who had promised
60 be his wife, and the voice of The clerk
had joined with hers that OF another and
a younger mani To understand the fun
torcc ol the blow which had fallen upon
thin, II Is necessary 20 20 back 10 time,
nearly twenty years before, when, rs n
youth, he had won the love of his pretty
and gentle cousin, Phoebe .loCclyn.
Phoebe Was the lnyeliest girl IN al! that
country round, and had admirers hy the
score, bat Robert was the choice of her
heart, and % him She was ten
des,y attached. But though capable OF
loving with devotion, poor Phuhc WAS
Ntak-Wilied aud timid. and quite pow.
cr,tSS - resist a reSoiutc and dom
inecriAs mother, who had chosen a very
ditUr'n, person TO ho her daughters
husband. William Heath had more mon
cN than Robert. and was a SNOWY
plausible fellow in whom the ambitious
mother iancied she SAW more brilliant
match Tor her daughter She piled the
yielding girl with arguments. rEpruacheS
AMI appeals 70 tilial duty, till She was
quite bcwldcred aud almost before She
was aware OF II She had given UP heg
cousin, and Was plighted Ca William
Heath Her married Lille was fortunately
brief, tor she knew no happiness IN the
three weary wears she lived with her hu<
band. Al the end Of that time he leit AJr