The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-05-27
HOW 1T WAS FOUND OUT.

flayfOrd was an isolated little village
almost destitute of the intellectual ac-
tlvities that characterize most inland
villages Of its size. 1t had its little old
school-house, where shockingly bad
pedagogues held sway; its blacksmith's
shop; a store which served the triple
purpose of supplying the farmers few
needs, postoffice and rendezvous of
nights for all the loafers in the country,
and a church. These last two buildings
were centers of attraction and pretty
equally divided the honors. The church
society was almost in chronic state of
eruption, but the deacons and ancient
pillars of the gospel held steadfastly to
their course, and droned their simple
interpretations of the Scripture into the
sleepy minds of the young, who when
they had passed beyond leading strings,
invariably went over to the merry crowd
in the store
Despite this mental and spiritual
dearth it was fact that Clayford was
the home of some very pretty and at
tractive young ladies, whatever else
might be said of'the young men. Per-
hapS the difference was traceable to
their being no alternative for the girls
from the harmless teachings of the
church; and If their minds held little
that little was not the rude immortality
OF the store curriculum. Be that as it
may, certainly dainty Matte CrondIt,
queenly Helen Murrey and her bonnie
sister Kate were maidens upon whom a
connoisseur of female charms. might
have deigned to bestow more than a
passing glance.
1t was, therefore, the most natural
thing in the world that they should re-
ceive a great deal of admiration, from
the rudest, most rollicking boor in the
lot to the few, very few, upright young
men that Clayford possessed. These
latter, notable exceptions TO the rule,
however, were in such imminent danger
of being spoiled by the homage lavished
upon them by mammas with marriage
able daughters, that at length it was dis
mally whispered about that they had
become so conceited that no girl in
Clayford was considered good enough
for any one of them.
Now, if there was anything Clayford
as community eXcelled in, it was gos-
sip. Its proficiency in this was not to
be wondered at, perhaps, considering
the fact that every family worth con-
sidering at all was related by natural
ties or by marriage to every other fami-
ly; and it was perfectly natural that
anything affecting one individual was
matter of interest to all the others; and
so when Charley Brouse-one of the
notable three or tour-entered the
church on probation, it was subject
for widely-dit1erent comment from every
member of this heterogeneous family.
The fraternity at the store loudly de-
clared that Charley Brouse never had
known how to be civil, and now he
never would know; while, on the other
hand, the church members set their seal
upon it that Charley Brouse was des-
tined for great and shining career;
and in this circle of popular opinion he
became the bright particular star"
Long before his SIX months probation
was at an end. he was by acclamation
elected Superintendent of the Sabbath
school; and it was touching to witness
his sense of unworthiness, that would
not permit him to offer up prayer in the
service while he was only a probation
ary dweller in the sanctuary. More
than ever, if possible, mammas dotted
upon him, and stern fathers held him
up to lucklesS sons as a pattern OF excel
lence.
Just previous to this event the shrewd-
est of Clayford's female gossips had
promulgated her firm belief that Char
ley Brouse had kind of hankering no.
ton after Kate Murrey; and, as for
Kate-la! she'd snap at the chance, any
mint" But her story had not gained
much credence, for Kate had numerous
beauN, such as they were, and no one
else had observed that he paid more at
tention to her than 10 any of the other
pretty girls. To be sure, Mrs Wyndam
thought she had noticed some signs of
preference for Kate on Charley's part;
but Mrs. Wyndam was always imagin-
ing something that wasn't true, as her
neighbors said. and what she thought
did not usually add much weight TO any
current report.
However, as time wore on, these
signs became more apparent. and
the anxiety 10 learn Just how matters
stood between the two became almost
an epidemic. Every inhabitant of ma
twe years had his OF her private reason
for wishing to know. Parents with
eligible children considered possible
future alliances with the Brouse or Muir
rev family; young ladies alternately
hoped and sighed. and their brothers
mentally vowed to make things warm
II