Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-05-23

a. " past
May / not be in the immediate vi
entity when that news is shouted 2
says the lady, with an involuntary
movement of her pretty white hands
toward her pretty rose-tipped ears,
for | should expect to be deaf for
evermore.'
Never fear, my dear--I mean Miss
Beardslev. Such a misfortune as
that shall never occur, even though
you should chance to be at the very
side of the shouter. Ellison is at this
moment perfecting an instrument that
begins to deliver its messages in a
moderately loud voice, which in-
creases in volume as il is carried for
ward, until it reaches the most dis
tant point 1t is intended to reach, thus
maintaining an even tone all along
the route. How glorious all these
Edisonian inventions arep he contin
ues, with glow of enthusiasm. sand
what humdrum times our ancestors
must have had without them! Why,
they are the very life of the age.
There's the photograph, for instance
but beg pardon: you are looking
bored. l cannot expect you to take
as much interest in these scientific
subjects as l do. Is not Reginald
coming this way?'
He is not answers Miss Laura,
demnrely; 'he is still holding Bella's
hand, and totally ignoring all the
other welcoming hands extended to
him.
''Ah the old, old story that is ever
new p quotes Mr.. Fishback, as he
peeps over the shoulder of his fair
guest at the new arrival; and then,
suddenly rising and confronting
her, he exclaims f: You must have
heard that story very, very often,
Laura-forgive my calling you so,
but you used to permit it in the days
we went blackberrying together some
ten years ago; and forgive me again,
but, upon my word, can not help
asking you, impelled as I am by some
mysterious power, Why have you
never married p
A blush rises to her cheek, but she
looks up in his face calmly, aud re-
plies: Il don't remember the black
berry episodes, and l have renamed
unmarried because / vowed when
young girl never to marry unless con-
WINGED that ! was the first and onfy
love of the man whose wife became
Laura, have never loved another
mir. Fishback, you forget my old
friend Teresa, the sister of the girl to
whom your brother Reginald is now
making love on the lawn
Good heavens Laura, how mis-.
taken you are! 7
Twas with her you looked for
blackberries. | never knew you to
find any-not with me, Sir
Laura, how blind you were! l
sought her society only to be near
you. declare, upon my word and
honor, | fingered by her side for
hours and hours in the hope that you
would join US for moment Or two
during the time, and when you did,
in that moment or two was concen-
trated the joy of the whole day You
were SO proud, SO cold, so reserved, /
did not dare to approach you save
through your friend; and
sAnd you did not bury yourself in
seclusion tor two years after she Tilted
you and married Frank Huntington p
she asks as he pauses.
Great heavens how preposterous
Laura, s,0ear-'
But, as he is about to swear, enter
a procession of small nephews and
nieces and attendant friends, the
leader of which carries an odd look.
ing box.
See, uncle!' the bright eyed little
fellow calls out as he approaches. Il
found this old phonograph on the top
shelf of your closet, where l was look
ing for your fish line to play horse
with, and 1t talks like every thing
With this he bigins to turn the
metal crank, and a voice-a some
what shrill young voice, the voice of
Teresa, sister of Bella whlom friend
of Laura Beardsley--begins TO speak:
yes Leon, my own, ! will grant
your imprisoned prayer, and breathe
the words you long to hear into this
magical casket, and then, when you
are lonely or inclined to doubt me,
jealous one, you can call them forth
to bring back the smiles to your dear
face, and JOY to your dear heart.
do return the love You SO ardentiy
avow. and aoM marry you when
mamma gives her consent. Until then
no lips shall touch the lips made sa.
cred by your kiss, no hand shall clasp
the hand that wears your lovely dia.
mond ring. But,ob Leon dear, try to
like Laura little for my sake. L
know she is all that you say she is
affected, cold-hearted, naughty, and
disagreeable Il am just naughty
enough to be pleased when you tell
me her beauty, SO much admired by
others, particularly Frank Hunting
ton, fades into utter insignifcance be-
side that of your own little Teresa)-
but, my Leon, try, oh try, to tolerate
her, for, strange as il may appear to
you, disliking her as you do, I am quite
fond of her Goodnight, beloved.
Dream of your Tessa.'
'That'-something or other-.phon-
ograph 7 said Mr.. Fishback; [ tho't
| destroyed it long ago. as he angrily
snatched it from the hands of the
small discoverer.
what did our humdrum ancestors
do without these glorious inventions p
murmured Miss Laura, as she quietly
tainted away for the first and only
time in her life.
IF ever you go prowling around
my room again. continued Mr.. Fish
back - addressing his unfortunate
nephew, and supporting Miss Boards
ley with one hand, while he flung the
tell-tale out of the window, where it
broke into dozen pieces as it touched
the ground with shril ear splitting
shriek-'Ill apply the double back
action self-acting spanking machine
until you roar for mercy
Ihe process sion, considerably de