Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-11-13
r NENSTH0RPE TRAGEDY.


door and looked out upon the almost
empty Cathedral close Things were
dull Just then in Ravensthorpe, as
they always are, except for the few
months during which the bishop is regu-
LARRY resident at the abbey hall, and
the two rival local packs contribute
TO make them brisk, and Mr.. Glister
seldom had much else TO do in the
long of season but pursue such limit
cd observations OF the worlds life in
general rs the close offered material
for.
Gh-ter 4 Co., goldsmiths and jewel
rr~. had London house in Bond
street The London manager spoke
sometimes to his clients OF our RAY
cnsthorpc branch, which was inaccu-
rate The London house was only
thirty years old, and had been estab-
i-hed 10y the present proprietor GO.
had long since faded ont of reality.
bat the oil name OF the firm was re-
taincdl, who was the third OF the dy-
nasty i'm Ravensthorpe.
He had personallymanaged the Lon
don house until satisfied OF its grow
ing solidity. and then returned TO his
native town and established himself
in the venerable building OF which his
business premises occupied the lowest
story
He was one of the fine old race OF
country tradesmen now fast becoming
extiuct-proud OF his business and OF
the long and untarnished history OF
the firm Ills manner was that of a
certain >toid, genial politeness 70 all
men, untainted by any effort TO ape
the grand air OF his clients, who re
spected him as their forbears had re
spccted his.
lie passed nearly all his time in RAJ
Veusthorpe. going TO London on the
occasion OF stock-taking and to draw
the handsome profit, which went to
swell his balance at the county bank,
OF which he was a partner.
Mr.. Glister was a warm man. He
looked it, with his clear, rich. rosy
complexion, heightened by his crisp,
iron gray hair aud strips OF silvery
whisker, his portly waistcoat crossed
by tlt modestly solid watchchaln, and
the handsome diamond ring which
was his solitary vanity IN the article
OF dress.
"IHerehe is again, said Mr.. Glister.
\ portly, elderly gentleman in the
dress OF rural dean, turned the cor
ner of the close and came briskly along
the pavement From his countenance
beamed forth benevolence and good
will 20 all men, and from his cleaning
shoes and his neatly stockinged calves
10 his Jolly port-wine face and clerical
hat. his whole person seemed one solid
smile. As he passed Mr. Glister he
gave him a casual glance of such cor
diality that the ieweler telt embolden-
ed to salute him with bow a courtesy
returned by thereverend gentleman by
brisk Good morning, and a yet
broader smile as he went by.
Fate 50 ordained that Mr.. Glister,
during the next day or two, saw a
good deal OF the reverend gentleman.
The same afternoon the generally
peaceful air OF the close was rent by
The despairing walls OF "A very small
damsel over the scattered shreds ofan
earthonware lug. with which She had
been entrusted for the conveyance of
the family milk. The child stood
above the ruins in such despair as
only infants OF her tender years IN
dread of an imminent beating can
know The child was pretty, and
looked all the prettier IN her
innocent atiiiction and Mr.. Glister
was tendcr-hearted man. Al
ready lac had taken step toward
the little one. and his finger and thumb
were cropping in the pocket OF his port
" waistcoat for the .epnsolatory shil-
cling which should repair the damage
and dry the mourner's tears, when he
Saw that his charitable intention had
been iorestallcd. The self-same rural
deanwhom Mr. Glister had that morn
sne salutcd was soothing the child's
trief with words OF cheer and consolnC
pats OF the tumbled golden hair
Through which the little damsel' : tear
ful eyes. already brighter at the sight
OF the prOtfcred coin the reverend gen
tleman held out to her, looked up at
him with shy gratitude. \ pretty
picture, thought Mr.. Glstcr bowling
again TO the rural dean a. their eyes
snet whereat the old cleric nodded with
confused and somewhat shameiaced
aspect, as though embarrassed that
ms good deed should have been wit
messed.
The next morning saw Mr.. Glistel
again at his post of observation, anC
at his accustomed hour the elderly
cleric was again deserted upon the
pavement The jeweler had already be
gun TO feel a friendly, almost al
ailectionate interest in the old gentle
man, whose appearance was so invit
ing whose voice so jovial, whos'
charity so ready and unassuming. Hi
attention wass so completely absorbed
by the approach OF his new acquaint
ance that he had no ears for the quickly
approaching step OF young mar
advancing in the contrary direction
The rural dean was just opening hi
lips TO reply TO Mr.. Glister's mornin
salute. when the young man pauset
precisely opposite the jeweler, and
extending his hand, hailed the old dig
nifty as "uncle." The reverend gentle
man turned witka quick start and {
stumble which. but for they young man
restraining hand, would have brough