The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-11-20
RAVENSTH0RPE TRAGEDY.

Mr.. Glister stood at his own shop
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 bishopisrcgu-
larly 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 tie
long %otf-season but pursue such limit
ed observations OF the worlds life in
general as the close offered material
for.
Glister & Co., goldsmiths and jewel
ecs, had q London house in Bond
street. The London manager spoke
sometimes to his clients OF our Raw
ensthorpe branch" which was inaccu-
rate. The London house was only
thirty years old, and had been estab-
lished by the present proprietor (Co.
had long since faded out OF reality,
but the oil name of the firm was re-
tained), who was the third OF the dy-
nasty in Ravensthorpe.
He had personally managed theLon-
don house until satisfied OF it's 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
extinct-proud OF his business and OF
the long and u~ntarnished history OF
the firm. His manner was that of a
certain stolid. genial politeness to all
men, untainted by any effort to ape
the grand air of his clients, who re-
spected him as their forbears had re-
spected his.
He passed nearly all his time in Ra-
vensthorpe, 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.. Gllster was q warm man. He
looked it, with his clear, rich, rosy
complexion, heightened by his crisp,
iron gray hair and strips OF silvery
whisker, his portly waistcoat crossed
by the modestly solid watchchain, and
the handsome diamond ring, which
was his solitary vanity in the article
of dress.
"Hereh he is again" said Mr.. Glister.
A portly, elderly gentleman in the
dress OF a rural dean. turned the cor.
ner of the close and came brisklv along
the pavement. From his countenance
beamed forth bencvolence and good
will to all. men, and from his cleaning
shoes and his neatly stockinsed calves
to his Jolly port-wine lace and clerical
hat, his whole person seemed one solid
smile. AS he passed Mr.. Glister he
gave him a casual glance of such Or
diality that the iewcler ielt embolden.
ed to salutehim with a bow, a courtesy
returned by the reverend sentlemanb y
q brisk Good morning" and q vet
broader smile ashe went bv.
Fate 80 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 despairinGg walls Of a very small
damsel over the scattered shreds ofan
e%arthenware Jug, 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 wears in
dread of an imminent beating can
know. The child was pretty, and
looked all the prettier in her
innocent affection and Mr.. Glister
was hearted man.. AL
ready he had taken a step toward
the little one, andhis finger andthumb
were cropping in the pocket of his port
ly waistcoat Tor the consolatory shil-
ling which should repair the damage
and dry the mourner's tears, when he
saw that his charitable intention had
been forestalled. The self-same rural
dean whom Mr.. Glister had that morn
ing saluted was soothing the child's
grief with words of cheer and consoling
pats of the tumbled golden hair
through, which the little damsel's tear
full eyes, already brighter at the sight
of the proffered coin the reverend gen
tleman held out to her, looked up at
him with shy gratitude. A pretty
picture, thought Mr.. Glister, bowling
again to the rural dean as their eyes
met, whereat the old clericnodded with
o1 y ~ Scop,ovb b,nf,, o1