Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-08-23

TWO OF the biggest men III cIsatlOhf
That's Nathan and Thomas. About
score Of years ago they got to feelln'o
above work and took to playin' the
big bug entierly. They let out the
mills. and went to livin' on the in
terest o. their money and it's my opin-
ion at they've come to dippin pretty
deep into their principal. Howsum
ever they'er proud enough.
And Peter Speed-what has be-
come of himP
"Oh, he is here, the same poor
hard workin', unfort'nit man he al
ways was He did, one spell, drink
leetle too much, but he fanally mar
ried woman that made saved man
of him"
But didn't his father leave him
anything"
mot outright. The old man, some
how, got set against the boy-thought
he was wild and frolicsome, and I'M
safe to be trusted with money; so he
left it in the care of his two elder broth
ers.
"Well, pursued Robert, 'and what
have they done for hlm.'
Really, stranger, | don't like to
say anything against them two men,
but if the truth was told l think it
would come out at they meant, from
the first, TO have the whole property
in their own hands For a time they
refused to let the poor fellow have
money, on the plea that he would drink
it all up, and then, when he fell in
love with Kitty Moore, they told him
if he married her that they would
cast him off forever Yoy see, Kitty,
bless her sweet face aye, and bless
her noble heart, too! Kitty was a
poor girl--an orphan orkin' in one
of the mills, and the bigfeelin men
thought it would be a stain upon mem
if their brother should marry her
Howsumever, Peter took his own way
He married the dear girl, and he's the
father of five as pretty children as
you ever set eyes on and as happy as
can be, notwithstanding he has to dig
pretty hard to keep the wolf from the
door.
1t was Just in the edge of the even
ing-a chill autumnal evening THAT
the door-bell was rung at the aristo-
cratic residence of the Hon Nathan
speed and shortly afterwards
servant announced that "A man
wished to SPEAK to the master.
Nathan Speed had grown to be a
man of four-ard fifty, red-faced and
obese. dressed in satin houserobe,
pride stamped IN every feature. His
wife, sitting near by, was the same.
Her face betrayed the use of the wine
cup, while the sparkle of many dia-
monds told where much of her hus
bands money had gone.
What a sight for the proud man to
meet in his own front hall A stout,
broad shouldered man, brown-visaged
and full bearded, habited in a power
ty-stricken garb, and evidently very
poor
Nathan don't you know me2-
your cousin, Robert All, I've had
hard luck on the road. Beyond Chey-
enne | was robbed of every dollar /
had with me, and
Hold on The proud man raised
his hand lie wanted to hear no
more. He knew of no claims which
his cousin could have on him And
further: you promised your uncle
you would never again apply for
help
Have | asked for help"
''No; but it was coming
mo, Nathan, you mistake. | only
ask friend.
Then you'd better go and huut up
your cousin Peter. He would make
boon companion for you, | doubt
not.
Robert got away as quick as possible
resolved next to call upon his cousin
/ Thomas.
lie found Thomas at home, and
clearly under the influence of wine
intoxicated, but his blood unduly
heated thereby.
And Thomas was even more un-
kind than Nathan had been; and he,
too, tauntingly advised the poor wan
dercr to 90 and seek his cousin Peter
as one who would be a fitting compan-
ion for him
And to Peter Speeds poor cottage
Robert made his way Not even a
poor roof to cover his head had the
wealthy brothers given to their half
brother The cottage, really belong
ing 10 Nathan, was hired OF an agent,
and more than once the poor man
had come very near being turned out
for non-payment of rent.
What cried Peter. when the
wayfarer had made himself known.
rs it Bobby? Don't deceive me.
Come in where it is light And he
led the newcomer INTO the little
kitchen, where the supper table stood,
With the remains of the evening meal
upon it. BY the lamp-hght Robert
saw a woman-the sweetest faced wo-
man he thought, he had ever seen
standing near the table; and near by
two of them ut the table, two sit
ting by the stove, while one chung to
its mothers drcss-w five children
the oldest not more than -
All, know you Yes, can see
the dear old face, notwithstanding the
,pqrS oi,l tho bro,,., tom a,1 tbp