Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-12-10

] realized tHat since OHlcagO ndu OcsI
his home he had grown cold aud care
less of the wants of the needy, and his
conscienc smote him sorely. "WhC
is that young woman2 would really
like to know. There IS a good look in
that bright face of hers, said Brown
very thoughtfully.
The rain continued to fall the store
cat purred at his feet, and the jingle
of the horse car bells did not disturb
his reverie. He continued his soil
oqey:
What strange thirg is life We
should grow wiser as we grow older,
bat [ doubt whether the wisdom !
have been gaining has proved a good
| investment. 1t is not paying the di-
vidends | anticipated. | suppose |
ought to be happy, bur | am not half
so happy as / was while spending my
boyhood's days on farm, toiling day
after day from dawn till dark, assist
ing my widowe mother in providing
bread for my younger brothers and
sisters. | would give much to feel in
body and mind as well as in the new
er-to-be forgotten years. AS time pass
es by and age comes on apace must
admit am gradually losing my hold
on life; it does not fascinate me as it
once did. Too many hopes have been
blasted; the fuSure is not so rosy, and
| it's promises are not so plausible of
fulfillment. In this probably | am a
gamer, but feel lack Of that sym
patby for suffering humanity | once
had. Somehow the coming of that
young woman has disturbed nae. |
wonder whether she is friendless and
homeless; / wonder if she Is stainless
and pure. There it is again. Ny
mother would not have asked this
question until she had made her COM
Portable. But mothers are not now
what mothers once were. Mine has
gone across the dark river. and is
waiting for her loved ones. But this
young woman may have mother,
who not only loves her, but is praying
that no evil may come to her. Her
mission may be to render that mother
aid. She looks as if she was a strang-
er to the city's ways, and | sincerely
wish that no harm may come TO her.
Somehow the thought Of her troubles
me. But here comes customer"
and a heavily built, blear-eyed man
of sixty, slowly entered the store and
said:
bad day, Brown. l called to learn
if you had registered for the election.
You know our primaries are to be
held on Tuesday, and it is the duty of
every good Republican VINO hates
ring rule to be at the polls. We
want to down the gang'-the ma
chine men. have contributed
literally, and | hope you will do your
duty. The johnson and Thompson
fight is on again, and tie Johnson
Buys must win this lime
And thus this ward politician rat
tied on for about fifteen minutes, and
then passed on in the ram to stir up
more of the faithful, and Brown went
back to his place by the stove.
In few minutes another visitor en-
tered. He was well prepared for the
rain, and did not seem to be much the
worse for the storm. He was an of
icial of the church to which Brown
belonged, and after an ordinary greet
ing and common places about the
weather, he asked:
Did you hear our new preacher
yesterdays How did you like him2
Good sermon. He is quite an improve
ment on Smith. Don't you think so2"
Yes" answered Brown, "l was
present and heard HIM, and l must
admit candldly that his sermon pleas
ed me; and if he holds out as he has
commenced ! think we will have less
difficulty IN raising the amount of his
salary than We had in raising
Smiths"
"Oh, yes" said the steward. "he is
popular man He is Il young man
and more IN sympathy with thus pro
gresslve age. Mark my words, he
will not preach to empty pews; the
church will be full, and we shall not
hear Sunday after Sunday, such a
harping on old fashioned doctrine
that should be left to cranks. Did
you notice how interested General
Tregor was2 have not seen hin at
church for some weeks before. He
paid strict attention to every word.
and appeared to take lively interest
IN every part OF the service. H, will
contribute literally. He can afford
It, too" And with a self-satisfied
smile he bowed himself out.
The day wore on. Customers were
few, and, when evening came, Browns
cash had not accumulated to any
great extent, and the absence of the
cashier was of little consequence. In
every respect business had been dull.
As evening approached, the rain ceas-
ed somewhat, and the lighting of the
Street-lampS made outdoors appear
more cheerful. Supper over, Brown
had a number of callers and the even
lug passed more pleasantly and profit
ably than the day had done.
Shutting up time came, and as
Brown was closing the front door he
discovered a small package lying be
side be near the door. Curious 10
know what it was he removed a hand
kerchlsf used as wrapper al d found