Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-09-01

Blake, whoes higher birth was consid-
! cred by the seniors to balance the ac-
cumlated fortunes Of three generations
Of mill owners.
/ While Grace and Laurence were lott
ering in the garden, Gerald was pom
| dering over the only portion of the
foregoing conversation ineligible to
himseli-Grace's testing wish for the
four-leaved shamrock. Poor Gerald
was but half-witted his brain had been
injured by a fall in babyhood, and had
neve- properly developed. He was
| still child in mind, with all child's
belief in the marvellous belief which
Grace was chary of discouraging, from
an instructive feeling that his magma
tons were his highest gift, which, once
weakened or destroyed, would never be
replaced by reasoning powers. She
was very fond of him, and devoted
much time and trouble to the work of
training him, and drawing out what
little intellect ne possessed; while he,
on his part, repaid her care with a
passionate devotion, obeying her slight
est wish, and following her about like
her shadow He was also fond Of Lau-
renee, a ride on whose horse consti-
tuted his greatest pleasure; and, though
quite unconscious of the reason, he
understood, in his own dim way, that
Laurence's uncle was angry, and that
Grace was grieved. Anger was a very
terrible thing to poor Gerald, who
dreaded stern looks and harsh words as
other lads dread blows.
Why, he wondered, did Grace want
the four-leaved shamrock. An I'M
wonted fit of shy reserve prevented his
asking for an explanation when Grace
returned, but he puzzled over the ques-
ton at intervals during the night, and
the wish for the wandering steps the
next morning to his old nurses cabin,
which stood on a green hillside, some
three miles flom his home.
The old woman was sitting on her
door step knitting, and basking in the
sunshine She looked up joyfully as
Gerald approached.
master Gerald, alanna, | thought /
was never going to set eyes on you
again. What became of you all this
long while, honey?"
81 don't know, nurse answered Ger
aid; 81 must have been busy, / think"
Busy" said old Joan, "poor lamb,
sure it's you that'll never know what
being busy means; all the better for
you, maybe. Sit down there, alanna,
an I'll get you drink of milk"
Gerald stretched himself at full length
upon the grass, and began to drink the
milk, which Joan brought him in lit
tie china mug sacred to his own use.
"How is Miss Grace?" asked Joan.
81 don't know answered Gerald;
''she is unhappy, | think. Her eyes
from the garden last night. She
thought did not see them, but | did.
Nurse, what is a four-leaved sham
rock7"
"a four-leaved shamrock, alanna?
Why, shamrock that has four little
leaves instead of three"
81 know that, mean, what is the
use of it?'
"Well, people say that It's a fairy
charm that brings luck to them that
owns it. | never saw one myself. but
my mother knew woman that found
one when she was milking her COW in
Gus from that day out Who was
talking to you about it, Master Ger
ald?"
"Grace was singing about it last night,
and she said she wished she could find
one. 1t had something to do with Lau-
rence's uncle, think"
"Ah, yes, said Joan. II suppose
Miss Grace thinks that if she had one,
she could make things up between Mas
ter Laurence and his uncle"
"And could she?"
"Who knows but she might? By all
accounts there's wonderful power in q
four eaved shamrock"
Il wonder if could find one" said
Gerald.
perhaps you might. Sure it's to
the likes of you that the good people
often send their gifts. Look for it any
way, alanna. It's a pity to have Miss
Grace fretting."
Henceforth poor Gerald's one dream
was to find the four-leaved shamrock,
which was to avert the anger of Lau-
rence's terrible uncle and make Grace
happy. He was accustomed to rove
hither and thither pretty much rs he
listed, for no one in all the country
round, would harm the innocent, while
his own Typographical instincts were
unerring. Accordingly he wandered
about, day after day, telling no one OF
his purpose, haunting every meadow
and every copse where shamrocks
grew, seeking the magic quarterfoil
destined to work such spells. Such
freaks of nature, however, though they
do occur, are very rare, and Gerald's
quest was long fruitless one. He had
at first avoided the neighborhood OF
Glenallan Mills from an unconquerable
| brand Of meeting the terrihle Mr. q.