New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-10-14
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 bishop is cegu-
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 off-season but pursue such limit
ed observations Of the worlds life in
general as the close offered material
for.
Glister & Co., goldsmiths and jewel
ers, had a London house in Bond
street. The London manager spoke
sometimes to his clients of our Ray
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 old name Of the firm was re-
tanned !, who was the third Of the dy-
nasty in Ravensthorpe.
He had personally managed the Lon
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 untarnished 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.. Glister was a warm man. He
looked it, with his clear, rich, rosy
complexion, heightened by his crisp,
aron 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.
4sHerehe 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 briskly along
the pavement. From his countenance
beamed forth benevolence and good
will to all men, and from his cleaning
shoes and his neatly stockinged calves
to 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
duality that the jeweler felt embolden-
ed to salute him with a bow, a courtesy
returned by thereverend gentleman by
g. brisk "Good morning" and yet
broader smile as he went by.
Fate so 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 very small
damsel over the scattered shreds of an
earthenware 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 years in
dread OF an imminent beating can
know. The child was pretty, and
looked all the prettier in he1
innocent affection and Mr.. Gliste1
was a tender-hearted man. Al
ready he had taken a step toward
the little one, and his finger and thumb
were cropping in the pocket Of his port
1y Waistcoat for 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
sdean whom Mr.. Glister had that morn
ling saluted was soothing the child's
grief with words Of cheer and consoline
pats Of the tumbled golden hail
through which the little dansePstear
full eyes. already brighter at the sight
aof the proffered coin the reverend gen
:tleman held out to her, looked up al
him with shy gratitude. A pretty
picture, thought Mr.. Glister, boWins
again to therural dean as. their eyes
met, whereat the old cleric nodded with
"a confused and somewhat shamefacec
aspect, as though embarrassed that
his. good deed should have been wit
messed. tss|
Tile next morning saw Mr.. Glistel
again at his post Of observations an6
lat his iace.ist onaed hour the elderly
cleric was again deserted upon thu
pavement ! The jeweler had already be
.gun to feel a friendly, almost. al
affectionate interest in the old gentle
man, whose appearance was so il1vit
.fisg,, w!iese Voice, 50 iovial, who's,