Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-05-20
THE BRASS BUTTON.

On fine evening III the summer OF
1766 two young women, Maggie Arm
strong and Eliza Wilson, met at road
side not far from the village of Disting
ton, about four miles from the town of
Whiteha-en. Both well known as good,
religious girls
"The celebrated Mr.. Wesley is in
Whitten-W hitehaven - Maggie" re-
marked Eliza, in an off-hand sort of way
"and is to speak in the market-plac to,
morrow night. VIII you go with me to
hear him?"
81 will accompany you to Written,
Eliza. promptly replied Maggie. "I've
often wished to see the famed man; so,
all being well, I'll get ready and go with
you
"Will you ask Richard to come, Mag
gie?" put in Eliza, with Characteristic
zeal, as they both lifted the pals on to
their heads.
81 Judge that he will follow when he
finds that I'm gone" quietly responded
Maggie.
1t need scarcely be observed that the
young man referred to was one who had
for some time past paid certain attentions
to Maggie, or that Eliza Wilson was an
ardent Methodist.
Saturday night came, and among the
many who were gathered around the en-
thusiastic little preacher We're the two
young women we have brought before
the reader. They came with sentiments
as divergent as possible III respect to the
preacher and his preaching. They re-
turned one in mind and heart. The re-
suit 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 anything
but complacent feelings.
But summer had not long given place
to winter before change took place. A
young man named Thomas Musgrove,
who had recently begun to use his gifts
rs an occasional preacher among the Wes-
Ieyans. arrested Maggie's attention. He
was builder in n fair way of business
on his own account and as Miss Arm
strong had considerable personal charms,
her secret preferences for him were soon
drawn out by his ayowed attachment to
her: and before long 1t was well 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 Distington was over
Dyed at the prospect of hearing his wei
, come voice on the following Saturday
night i'll the market place. Among those
who walked from DISTINCTION to hear him
were Thomas Musgrove and Margaret
Armstrong. A small dog belonging to
the former accompanied them. The ser
vice did not last much over an hour, ms
Mr.. Wesley wished to meet the country
officials that he might aid them by his
counsels. AS Musgrove was one whose
presence was required nj tins gathering,
and rs it was not certain how long he
would be detained thereat, he desired
Maggie to go home with the others, OBJ
serving that he would not fail to give her
a call on his return and spend an hour
or so with her The dog Viper went
with him.
When 10 o'clock arrived, Maggie be-
gan to listen for his football. But it
came not. She grew anxious; and MS the
finger of the clock rose towards IL, she
went to the door and looked down the
road. Concluding that Thomas had been
detained against his will, she was about
to re-enter the house and go to bed, when
Viper made his appearance, whining dis
mally. Surprised Mt this, she spoke
kindly to the poor beast, and asked HIM
where his master was. The dog looked
up in her face with scared, uneasy ex-
preston; and in gazing into his face she
saw that he had something III his mouth.
"What have YOU got there, Viper p she
asked, holding out her hand for the artl-
Gle, which, the sagacious creature lald IN
her palm 1t was piece of blue cloth
with brass button attached She look
ed ut it, wondering where the dog had
got it and what it signitied. At glance
She saw that it did not belong to any gar
ment that her betrothed had on that