Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-11-22


seemed to refer to the part he was about
to play His own voice would, immedi-
ately, be ascending high. but all by itself.
lie saw the face Of bis cousin. Mathew
Humble. fixed upon him with i'll concealed
and malignant joy Why did Mathew
hate him with such a bitter hatred9 Also
he saw the face Of the girl who had been
his partner; her eyes were full of tears;
and at sight of her grief his own eyes be-
came humid
He did not take any part at all in the
hymn
When 1t was finished the vicar stood
in his pulpit waiting; his worship stood
up in his pew. his face turned toward the
culprit; in his hand his great gold headed
cane. All the people stared at the culprit
with curious eyes. as boys stare at one of
their companions when he is about to be
logged. Just then the girl left her seat
and stepped deliberately up the aisle and
stood beside the boy in the sheet. And
the congregation murmured wonder.
The fugleman touched the boys shoul.
der and brought his pike to tention
Say after me. he said aloud Then to
the congregation he added; "And all the
people standing
Il confess my fault" he began.
Il confess my fault" repeated boy and
girl together
And am heartily sorry. and do beg for
giveness
And then the Lords Prayer
The boy spoke out the words clearly and
boldly. and with his was heard the girls
voice as well, but both were nearly
drowned by the loud voice of the fugIe-
man
1t was over then All sat down; the
girl beside Ralph on the stool Of repent
ance, and the sermon began
When the vicar had drubbed the pulpit
to the very end of his manuscript. and the
service was over, the three stood up again
and remained standing till the people were
all gone
Come. lass" said the fugleman when
the church was empty. I'VE can all 20
now. OFF with that rag. Master Ralph. 1"
He unbent; his face assumed human
expression; he laid down the pike
"What odds. say. Is q white Sheet
Why, think, twas O show for the lads
which they haven't had for many year
And May nigh gone already. and never a
man in the stocks yet. and the pillory rot
ting for want of custom. and never thief
logged. nor bear batting If it twasn't
for the cocks of Sunday afternoon and
the wrestling. there would have been
nothing for the poor fellows but your
ghosts to keep EN- out of mischief And,
lad, he pointed in the direction Of the
mill, your cousin means more mischief
1t was him that laid information before
his worship"
"ohl" said Ralph clutching his fists.
"Ay him it was, and his worship
thought it mean. but he was bound to
take notice, for why. says his worship,
he can't let this boy brighten all the
maids out of their silly senses. Yet. for
his own cousin and his guardian - that s
what his worship said
"0hl" Again Ralph clinched his fists.
"Should |, an old soldier. preach mutiny2
Never But seeing that your cousin is no
rightful officer of yourn. nor yet comma
stoned to carry pike in your company.
why. |, for one
What. fugleman?"
II. for one, if was a well grown boy,
nigh upon II. the next time he gave
orders for another six dozen. or even three
Dozen | would ask him If he YVES strong
enough to tie up a mutineer."
The boy nodded his head.
Cousin thof he be, continued the
fugleman. captain or lieutenant is he
not.
The boy had by this time Invested him
self Of his sheet, and stood dressed in q
long brown coat and plainly cut waistcoat;
he. too, wore silver buckles to his shoes,
like his cousin, but not silver buttons;
his hair was tied with black ribbon. and
his hat was plain. without lace or orna.
ment
When his adviser had finished, he
walked slowly down the empty church,
hand in hand with the girl.
In the porch he stopped, threw his arm
round her neck and kissed her twice.
mo one but you. Drusy." he said,
would have done it. I'll never forget
it. never as long as | live Go home to
granny, my dear. and have your dinner"
And you will go home. too. Ralph2"
Yes. / am going home. I've got to
have talk with Mathew Humble"
Left alone in the church, the fugleman
sat down irreverently on the steps of the
pulpit. and laughed aloud
Mathew Humble. he said. sis going
to be astonished."