Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-31

over the whole, shouting as he did So;
who's there?n
We received NO answer, but thought
we saw the figure move nearer to the
cabin.
answer" continued Tom. waving
the old fur hat. answer, or I'll fire."
But Tom had no time To do anything
of the kind, for the rascal fred directly,
and |, looking through chink III the
rough and divided flooring, saw and
recognized the thief as one to whom
Tom and | had been the best of friends.
1t was Simon Bail, man whose repu,
tation had been Of late far from salts
factory.
Tom and l were unhurt. and ere we
could get down, for we had noticed the
william had removed the ladder, Simon
Rail had escaped to cover.
All the settlement was alarmed, and
search made, but he was not found UNI
til afterward.
"Well, three years more ofhard work
found me rich man and Tom and |
reached Melbourne. and sailed with
hope, love, and joy for Ersland's happy
shores.
When | reached home no one would
have known me with my beard and pc
cuhar attire half settler, half nautical.
| need not tell YOU how eagerly sought
out No. - Northampton square. 1t
all seemed the same. Seven years and
a half had very little altered London.
as far as could see. Yes, it all seemed
the same until reached her house.
How dirty and neglected." thought
l, as gazcd up at the dingy yet familiar
old place. 81 am certain Lilly cannot
be here, or everything would look
brighter and cleaner. Perhaps they
have moved; I'll knock and see.
So | gave the door a series Of loud
raps, just to enhance its wakefulness.
"Well, sir, what is it?'
1t was an old, dirty-looking woman
that spoke as she opened the door.
Do the Grahams live here still?'
I" Live here! bless yer, no! They are
rich folks now"
"Rich?" said l and believe l look
ed dreadfully angry, AS though l
thought they had no right TO be rich.
Yes, rich!" replied the dirty old Cos
sip, drawing nearer, and opening the
door wider when she found my BUSH
ness was so simple. Yes, rich, and
all through some gentleman*Sho start
ed old Graham i'll business some
months ago The old 'onse as bin to
let ever since they left item months
ago. Live-why, let me see-some.
where near Reading, | think, u little
village called D.. But that's not the
shop. The shops in town somewhere.
A stationer's I've heard say, and -"
Thank you, thank you, that will do!
Here is trlfle to drink success TO my
search"
| managed to get away at last, and
was SOON being conveyed over the
lines of the Southern railway TO Read
ing.
1t was lovely afternoon when l en-
tered the little village of D. soon
espied the little cottage to which had
been directed, half hidden from the
road by row of poplar trees, and it
was with very little hesitation i was
soon walking up the little garden path
and ringing the bell.
The Grahams were out, but | ex.
planned that | was friend OF the fam
lily, and had come very long way ex-
pressly to see them.
This gained me the desired "open
sesame" and | was soon ushered into
the little parlor. Yes, this was Lillv's
home. gazed around me as though
was in the sacred precinct Of some holy
spot. As my eyes wandered around the
sweetly.scented little parlor they rested
at last upon some milliner's boxes that
lay upon the table. / had seen such
boxes in my youth, and knew them to
contain the appurtenances of marriage
garments.
Yes, read her, my Lilly's, name on
them. | lifted the lids slightly, and,
alas my fears were too true; they were
the bridal decorations Of Lillian Ora
ham.
could only just manange to recover
myself as an open carriage drove up to
the garden-gate. could not see them
alight, but | soon saw an old lady and
gentleman, whom | recognized as Mr..
and Mrs. Graham, and then saw the
dear face OF Lllly-saw it to notice it
was pale, thin and sad-saw it to quick
ly tell that even prosperity, and per-
haps the prospect of an advantageous
marriage, had not made her look better
than the merry, laughing. eyed, little
maiden of swee. IL.
And then, saw gentleman, tall and
well dressed, with his back toward me,
giving some directions to the coach
man. More than this i could not see,
for the old couple had entered the par
lor.
"oh, Mr.. and Mrs. Graham, said,
eagerly, do you not know me?'
|" / really haven't the honor" some
what stifily replied the old gentleman.
"What not know Bob Phillips. that
went to Australia eight years sgo2"
" Bob Phillips good God p
This last was uttered by the tall gen
tleman, in tone Of undisguised sur
prise.
Ny name had seemed to create va
ried impression upon them all. The
little old gentleman. looked petrified,
while Mrs Graham appeared fright
ened, and presently broke out quite