The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-10-14
THE LOST RING.

Next to our own homes tead Law Kes-
trel House. No farmland was attach
ed to it 1t was simply park and gar
dens, built for a rich mans pleasure;
and in its midst stood fountain, bend
ing over which a stone mermaid comb
ed her carven hair with caryen comb,
using the basin for a mirror
There had been a time when the
water arose and played in showers all
over the mermaid's head and shoulders,
ran down her tresses and dripped over
her hands Those who had seen it said
1t was a pretty sight; but the machinery
was out OF order, or, perhaps, had
been turned off, and it played no
more.
The house, handsome and pictures
que as it was. was all shut up; the win
dows barred and the doors fast; moss
covered its stone steps and balustrades.
and the flowers were all gone, save such
hardy bushes as took to a wild life
kindly, and bloomed a little every
year
Il wonder they don't live here, the
people who own this place" my Young
Uncle Morris used to say when he spent
his vacation with us. 'It's Jolly old
place; it's shame it should stand like
that"
And then my mother would say:
Something very dreadful happened
there years ago"
had heard that before 1t was
story | was not to hear, and | wondered
why.
All my uncle's vacation / trotted
about with him, and as he was fond of
fishing | took to fishing too. He gave
me rod and line, and taught me how
to put on bait and we used to 90 to
fine stream long distance off and fish
together.
never caught anything. but he as
sured me that | would some day, and
| felt very manly as | trotted away
beside him with my rod over my shoul-
der
The not always welcome care of my
mother and aunts relaxed, and | heard
it said that Ned was sure to follow
Morris everywhere, and to come home
quite safe.
My uncle vacation was very happy
time to me. When it was over a change
came. Feminine rule began once more.
4
lest | should be drowned; and my
rambles were limited to our own prop
erty and the deserted park of Kestrel
House.
After his return to college my uncle
often wrote to me, and | was careful to
reply, hunting up the big words in my
little dictionary, but it was humiliat-
ing to confess that l was considered too
small to 90 a-tishing in the river.
However, one day an idea came into
my head which enabled me to obey my
relatives, and yet indulge in the sport
| knew my uncle thought so much of.
resolved to fish in the basin of Mer-
maid Fountain in Kestrel Park, and ac-
cordingly | carried my rod and line
there. The first day | had better luck
than usual, Ior L caught Il small green
frog.
| looked at him moment, reflected
that his frog mother might be anxious
about him, and put him back in the
water; and mentioned this in my let
ter to Uncle Morris. who replied that
there was no knowing what | might
catch next; but | caught nothing more.
But one autumn morning, when all
the red leaves were falling and floating
over the basin like little fairy boats, |
realized the fact that it was growing
too chilly to sit with pleasure beside the
fountain waiting for bite
"Ohr' / thought If | could catch
something now, this last time! Some
thing TO write to uncle about"
And just then the little float bobbed
up. l had, perhaps, at last hooked a
fish.
Delighted, l carefully drew up the
line. Something glimmered upon the
hook. 1t was not a fish. However, 1
hastened to detach it, and found it to
be very handsome cluster diamond
ring
Ignorant of its value as l was at that
time, | could not but admire it. it spark
led SO brilliantly. There was no mud
at the bottom of the spring, only shining
white pebbles. 1t was perfectly clean,
therefore, after its bath, whether that
had been long or short
"Ill give this TO mamma / said,
speaking aloud in my astonishmene,
and ashamed of having done so when
| heard the sound of my own words,
because it was like the baby" But
the next moment someone answered
me.
You have found my ring" voice
said in my ear; you have found my
ring. AT last, at last, thank Heayen!'