The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-11
THE DAILY STAR
THE BRASS BUTTON.

AsVS WV
strong and Eliza Wilson, met at a road
side not far from the village of Disting-
ton, abeut four miles from the town OF
Whitehaven. They were known as good,
religious girls.
"The celebrated Mr.Wesleyis is in Whit
sen--Whitehaven-Maggie." remarked
Eliza in an off-hand sort Of way, "and is
10 speak in the market-place tomorrow
night. Will you go with me to hear
him%
Il will accompany you to Whitten,
Eliza" promptly replied Maggie. "pve
often wished to see the famed man; so,
all being we'll, FL get ready and go with
you,"
HWill you ask Richard to come Mag
gieT putsin Eliza, with characteristic
zeal, as they both lifted the pals on to
their heads.
II Judge that be will follow when he
finds that Pm gone," quietly responded
Maggie.
1t need scarcely be observed that the
young man referred to was one who had
for some time paid certain attentions to
Maggie, or that Eliza Wilson was an ard
ent Methodist.
Saturday night came, and among the
many who were gathered around the en-
thusiastic little preacher We're the two
young women brought before the reader.
They came with sentiments as divergent
as possible in respect to the preacher and
his preaching. They returned one in
mind and heart. The result Of this
change in Maggie was that she was cold
to- Richard Brunskill on the way home,
and unsympathetic; from that hour he
was no more to her than any other
youth. The first time he went to her
home after that night, he was told
his fate in mild but firm manner--a
decision which he received with any
thing but complacent feelings.
But summer had not long given place
to- winter before a change too5A place, A
Young man named Thomas Musgroye,
who had recently begun to use his gifts
as an occasional preacher among the
Wesleyans, arrested Maggie's attention.
He was builder in fair way of busi-
ness on his own account and as Miss
Armstrong had considerable personal
charms, her secret preferences for him
were drawn out by his avowed attach
meat to her; and before long it was we'll
known by all the brotherhood and Others
that these two young folks were likely
ere long to become man and wife.
Matters were in this condition when
midsummer came around. 1t was again
the "leafy month of june" when once
more the famed apostle of Methodism
paid his annual visit to Whitehaven, and
every Methodist in Distinston was over
loved at the prospect of hearing his wei
come voice on the following Saturda!
hight in the market place. Among those
who walked from Distington was Thorn
as Musgrcve and Margaret armstrong
A small dog belonging to the former ac
companied them. The service did no
last much over an hour, as Mr.. Wesle!
wished to meet the country officials tha
he might aid them by his counsels. A
Musgrove was one whose presence wa
required at this gathering, and as it wa
not certain how long he would be de
tanned thereat, he desired Maggie to g
home with the others, observing that h
would not fail to give her call on hi
return and spend an hour or so with hel
The dog Viper went with him.
When 10 o'clock arrived, Maggie bt
pan to listen for his football. But
came not. She grew anxious; and as tn
finger of the clock rose towards clever
she went to the door and looked dow
the road. Concluding that Thomas ha
been detained against his will, she WI
about to re-enter the house and 60
bed, when Viper made his appearance
whining dismally. Surprised at this, sf
spoke kindly to the poor beast, ar
asked him where his master was. FL
dog looked up in her face with a scare
uneasy expression; and in gazing into h
face she saw that he had something
his mouth. "What have you got thel
viperY' she asked, holding out her hal
for the article, which the sagacious gre
ture laid in her palm. 1t was piece
blue cloth with brass button attache
She looked at it, and wondered whe
the dog had got it and what it signifie
At glance she saw that it did not
long to any garment that her betroth
had on that night, so far she was at ca
But on watching Viper she saw that
became disturbed and anxious, for
ran about the house and to the do
looking earnestly at her the while,
though he wished her to 60 with h
somewhere.
Excited and perplexed, she awoke
father and told him the circumstanc
At daybreak Armstrong aroused neil
Dor, and telling aim what lie knew a
feared, the pair set off on the road
Wlitehay, n, preceded by Viper. tt
had not gone above mile when
dog, leaving the high road, made for
unused stone quarry little off the hi
way, and standing on an eminel
which fanked the quarry, set up Ii
dismal howl. ... '-.. .-
They now looked around and saw
nk.aot of tI,o;r 600 rch stiR cold and n