Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-07-25
Lovers Mistake.

ZOE n1uSel1 Wnen MT. OtTaIllCy came 10
Ford to look after the mill, which had
lately fallen into the hands OF Strathley
l. Stone. lumber merchants of the me.
tropolis, a hundred miles away. Why
had Mr.. Strathley chosen to immune him.
self in that little country village whose
society was naturally uncongenial to a
man of the world2 Why, ii it were moi
because he had seen Margaret on his first
visit to look after the purchase of the
mill, and had dined at her grandfather's
as if he were an old fricnd2 John rea~
scned. Were not as fair in his
own world whom he could love and win,
that he need go out of his way to rob an.
other man? Could he not have sent an
agent to reside at Ford, and attend to
the firms business, in that old fashioned
corner of the earth, if money-making
were the only attractions What ma
ilgn fate had caused him to gravitate to
Ford, where no stranger was ever known
to stay a IN oment longer than circum-
stances Obliged him? With his fine man.
ners and fine clothes, with his palaver
about all things in heaven and earth; his
handsome face and figure, was it not hid
ing his light under a bushel2 What
could he find in Ford to interest him If
it were not Margaret? p"
It wa a bitter season for Lorrimer, who
having been sweet upon Margaret ever
since be was a boy in jackets, felt a if
- Id ooknIl:,Hol n1,:~> ,~O> Ao-
affections, and was aggrieved to find her
amused by Strathley-walking with him
in season and out of season; sitting in the
farm house porch in confidential converse
or singing from the same old psalter on
Sunday evening. 1t was surely enough
to enrage any lover, and especially one
who felt so certain of his case that he
had DELAYED about riveting the chains,
and had taken everything tor granted be-
fore putting the question.
Lorrimer began to study his mirror
for the 6rst time in his life; to become
enamored Of fine clothes; to suspect HIM
self Of awkardness and ignorance. It
suddenly occurred to him that he must
have been blind ever to have believed
that Margaret would care for him, though
he had thought that actions spoke louder
than words; though he had taken her
part at school, when the others twitted
her about her shabby gowns and her
Wild brother Ben, who had brought his
grandfather's nose to the grindstune-
the country people said and obliged him
to mortgage the farm and this same mill,
which had been his now years ago, IN Or
der to pay gambling debts.
And served him right" they grum-
bled, not satisfied with the r%etribution
Providence had seen fit to administer
"se-ved him right for educating Ben be-
yond his betters, till he was that proud
be looked down on his own kith and kin
and ran away to sea, where all the scamps
90, when there amt no more money to
make way with. And it VAN: no great
loss, neither" they declared, "when he
went down with all hands on board. off
the coast somewhere, and nobody lett to
give the particklers; though he's gone to
his account, and we don't hev no wish to
disparage the dead"
All at once Lorrimer began to look at
himself as if he were somebody else, and
the view failed to satisfy his: soul. Cross
ing the brook that flowed through the
meadow, n evening, he met Margaret
alone. -!
swell m1et,n said she, gaily, showing
him a handful of water-liiies. :See; l
fshed these out of the bottomless pond,
in an Old 'leaky whcrry that was rotting
on the shore. viii you have some?" -
"Why didn't you ask me to get them
for you, Margaret You might have
been a. the bottom Of the pond by this
time"
"Iti is bottomless, you know
"Why didn't you ask Mr.. Strathley
to get them for you?,' he added, as an
after Thought" .....- !
The sudden color Redeemed upon Mar
garet's cheek.
"Mr. Strathley has something else to
do" =
But have nothing else to do that I
should like half as well, Margaret-we
usedlto be such friends--1 used to- think
but no matter ,what-you find Strath.
ley more to your mind no doubt. Idon't
blame you, only we were such old
trieads!"
There. was a look of trouble growing
in Margaret's eyes. I'VE are friends still,
I hope" she said. ~ .',s
"Are we4 That fellow with his fine
airs and bold eyes has bewithcd you; we
were happy enough before he came. Do
you know what they say in the village?'
II do not know what they say" she re-
piled, with a growing color and a tear in
her. yes that belied her words. "What
right nave they to speak OF me2 Why do
you listen, you who pretend to be ~
fIiend2": 1872; =. -: go
'tPretend.. That's an honest word be-
tween you and mel If Strathley had
> your good at heart" ....G,:
"Take care, John; don't say anything
against Mr.. Strathlcy., You might be
sorry for it some day. He ig+ --hess5sknew
my poor. brother Ben-atH school, or
somewhere. It does us good to hear him
talk of Benl"li5It was hard for Margatet
to dissembIe, and she did it with q poor
grace.
'a' BLESSINGS brighten as they taks their
fight, . 2 thought Lorrimer;. "knesw your
brother. Ben, did. he2 and your grand
father istensW The time had been
when Ben's,name had been forbidden,
and the old farmer had sworn that nBen's
shadow should nevsr. darken his door.
20 2 carelut ShOwEtnev
speak of their own flesh and blood
erroaNnie:d the imttiigbbors, when the Arctu-
rus was cast avs and the last chance !of
foreivinR Ben with it, But though
grandfather. Beyns, HAD aged since, y then,
had begunito have q t.bault in, his step
! and Z stoop in his shoulders. and to grow
q fresh crop o swrinkles, ,yetaeven grim,
: deathabaa failed toohl teratek tBen's mis-
deedasa---tfei impoverished condition was
4 constant reminder, Nj. Beviss saw his
more fortuna. {, 5neiigghbors enjoying the
fruits Of lands he had cleared With the
horny hand of.f0il,s sitting down to- boun:
seously-supplied .ables, with atgood bal
anceain the bank for rainy :weather,swhile
he and his Jared scantily, andshardiyy dar-
ed.1ott look tie future. ia t...e face. Ben
lad been the apple Of his EYES and to
have suferedsfrom his selfshness added
- - 3.,,Ax. .s-ssF4t 81, -