The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-02-05

was young fellow named Ferguson,
who at first invariably came with his
particular friend, George Mitchell, Mrs.
Mitchell's son. After while, however,
he took to visiting more frequently, and
for some months every other Saturday
saw Ferguson at the Thorpe farm, where
he staid until Monday.
Will Ferguson was confidential clerk
at an extensive engineering establish
ment at Milton, some fifteen miles, over
the wolds, from Beacondale. His posi-
ton was a good one, and, although
barely %, and scarce two years con-
nected with the firm, his employers i'm
plicitly trusted MIN with their financial
affairs and the management Of their
business. There was nothing particu-
larry attractive about Ferguson. Tall
and plain featured rather ugly than
handsome-a pleasant companion, gen
orally kind and thoughtful to all whom
be knev, attentive to business, he was
perhaps as well liked as any other young
| fellow in Milton.
Will Ferguson had often visited
Thorpe farm, because his chosen friends
were relatives of old John Fielding, and
he, therefore, accompanied them FREE
! quently; besides, he liked the drive
and was fond Of the Thorpe folk, and
he also liked on Sundays to attend
service at Beacondale church.
One bright Sunday morning in Octo-
Der, Ferguson and George Mitchell
drove over to Thorpe for the sake of
the ride over the wolds and quiet day
at the old farmhouse.
Evening came and, as usual, they
walked down the lovely lane which led
to the village and church. This was
not their first visit to Beacondale church
by any means, so that they walked in
and took an accustomed seat The SER
vice had commenced, and the young
men we're hastily finding the place in
the prayer book, when they became
aware of strangers occupying the seat
Immediately in front of them. They
were bonnie strangers, too-three pref
ty girls, and evidently not natives of
Beacondale. One of them, the pretti
est, handed a prayer-book to the late
arrivals, and from that moment Will
Ferguson was gone man. His heart
was no longer his own. He felt that he
had met his fate, and all through that
service he was trying to devise some
plan whereby hecould become acquaint-
ed with this girl who had so completely
captivated him at one glance, and little
attention did he pay to what the clergy
man said that evening. After service
he returned the book, which gave him
an opportunity Of saying one word, and
hearing that same word Thank you
- from those pretty lips.
That evening, on their way home, the
two friends called on an acquaintance,
and, while seated there: putting cigars,
they heard soon the sound Of merry,
girlish voices, and into the room walked
the three fair strangers of the village
church. They appeared perfectly at
home here, and the mistress of the
house introduced them as Miss Hand
ford, Miss Annie landlord and Miss
Maggie landlord. Miss landlord and
Miss Maggie might just as we'll have
been still at church for all Will Felgu-
son saw of them. He was too much
occupied in gazing on Annie-the one
who had lent him the book at church
the one with whom he fell over head
and ears in love at first sight.
| am not going to describe Annie
landlord; [ might differ in my opinion
from Willis and hurt his feelings, and 1
could never get him to say what she was
like, as he used to declare that ne
couldn't do her justice. I will say that
she was not one of your awfully-pretty
girls; she was pretty, but I think it was
her general behavior and movements
and er conversation which were more
calculated to win mans love.
Many Sundays passed on, but each
one found Ferguson over at the Thorpe
farm and always to church, the even
ing. Sunday was the bright star which
he kept his eye upon all the week be-
fore, and he generally contrived to see
Annie for few moments at their mu-
tual friends on their way home
1t appeared that, these young ladies
and their mother were spending few
months at this charming village, in q
house rented for the purpose by their
father, a man of business in the West
Riding; and, as the winter drew on,
they began to think of returning to
their home in the busy town. Will, to
all appearance, was no nearer gaming
the affections of Annie than before he
saw her, and yet he felt it was step,
and, indeed, a stride, in the right direc-
ton to have her acquaintance. Tt so
happened that on the day the Hand
fords went home Ferguson started on a
business journey, and contrived to
travel by the same train as his lady
friends. He met their train (of course
by accidenD at ST. Olaves Junction,
and there enjoyed the Unreasonable
delight of a Jwo-hours' ride in rail
road car along with the girl he was
anxious to win. What matter if her
father and mother were in the same
compartment? 1t was enough to sit
beside her and talk idle nothings and
commonplace bits of stale news, and
Il