Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-01-08
AFTER THE VICTORY.
BY A. NJ, MITCHELL.

~ s6U su6 Wv uVUbs
BY A. NJ. MITCHELL.
The day has been dreary and
gloomy. The rain, increasing since
morning, has poured steadily all
day land not more than half q dozen
persons have passed along the road
and in font of the gate. Left to
myself, during the long hours, and
the light work upon which l have
been engaged not serving fully to
occupy my mind have been think
ing over the last five years of my
life, and the struggle and victory
which 30 changed the whole course
of my existence.
Very humbly, very sorrowfully, /
have been musing, yet still with a
consciousness of a duty performed,
which brings with it q devout sense
of gratitude to that Being who
prompts to duty. Feeling thus, l
have thought, since the night fell,
that perchance if l should tell the
story of my struggle, some one
might, through my poor example, be
led to make the same effort THAI /
was helped to make, and give up
their own comfort, at the call of du.
ty, and for the sake OF others.
Accordingly, | have drawn my
desk near me, and lighted my lamp,
and while the rain falls without
pause outside, and the fire blazes
and crackles in the CRATE, | look
back upon my time of sorroW
1t began on one of the fairest OF
autumn evenings just after sun.
down. l was standing by the gate,
looking up and down the road, ad.
miring the autumnal tints on the
maple tree opposite, and listening
to wren who was chirping a good
night 30 me from o neighboring
tree. | was waiting for Harry, wi no
came up the road by our house at
this very time every nigh, and
who always stopped to chat with
me few moments at the gate. He
came later 10 the evening again, for
Harry and | were shortly to be
married, but never would miss the
few moments at the gate.
The wren had not finished her
song, when l saw the figure | knew
80 we'll, in the distance, and the re
mainder of the birds MARBLE was
lost upon me as ! contemplated HE
advancing form.
How is Millie, this EVENING" he
asked, in his own pleasant way, as
he came up.
WELL said, with smile, reach
ing him my hand.
Can she bear to hear some news2'
he asked again, with little smile
which promised something worth
while.
Yes | returned, Il would like
some news very much, indeed. Is it
pleasant 2
you may judge of that yourself
he said lightly, and handed ne az
open letter.
read it,and then handed it back
without word 10 offer in comment,
and with trembling hands and
cheeks afiame, for 1T was a long-ex.
pected letter from California, bid.
ding him come out there immediate.
ly; and it had been long ago decid~
ed that when he went bis wife
should accompany him.
How frightened she is he raid,
laughing, and still holding the hand
that returned the letter-then bend
ing down, be said-'Are you ready
to 60, my dear Mile p
Ny head was bent for minute,
and then lifted it to his face, oh |
80 full Of love and care for me, and
replied without faltering-fYes, 1
am readyr
He thanked me gravely and gent
ly,and then promising to come again
in the evening, went away up the
street. Ny eyes followed him un-
til bis figure was lost 10 the dis.
tauce,a and then plucking a rose from
bash near me, and playing With
it ss | walked. passed up and into
the house, so happy so gladi Obi
how it all comes back to me after
these years.
| set the table for supper in the
same happy mood, talking gayly
and brightly to my mother, who sat
knitting by the window. My moth
err was an invalid, but always cheer
full and accomplishing; she was
very good company. When I had
finished, and the table was in spot.
less order, | sat down to await my
brothers return from the mill. He
was very late tonight, and / held
my watch in my hand for fifteen
minutes, wondering what kept him;
but at length | put it away, and
took up book to while. away the
moments, saving my new joy until
Harry should come, and We could
talk it over together. At length /
heard farmer Arnold's wagon COM
ing up thu road. concluded I
would go out to meet him, for be
came from the mill of which my
brother was the owner, and might
be able to give some account ofhim
walked slowly down the path,
and had just reached the gate as he
drove up, and, much to my amaze.
ment, he checked his horses and
sprang out.
Miss Mile, I'm very sorry for
you. I'm sure he began, awkardIy
but | interrupted him.
What's the matter p | asked