Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-12-06

came from foreign parts, ana inc paper
was not only stained. but had curious
fragrance.
broke the seal and tore open the COW
ering of the letter. Within was another
packet Oh. heayensl It was addressed
to "Drusilla Hetherington. care of the
fugleman. to be forwarded without delay.
Haste-post hastel"
And then ! knew without waiting to
open the letter that 1t would be from none
other than Ralph 1t must be from Ralph.
After all these years. we were to hear once
more from Ralph. stood pale and tremb-
ling. nor could for some moments even
speak At last said.
"Fugleman-Na Nan - this letter Is adj
dressed to me. 1t is, verify believe, from
read it.
Read tread It'll" cried the old man.
Could I-ahl merciful heayen-could
ever forget the rapture. the satisfied
yearning. the blssf.d content. the graft
tude, with which | read that sweet and
precious letter. They waited patiently;
even the rude and coarse old woman re-
Trained from speech while | read page
after page They said nothing though
they saw the tears falling down my face.
because they knew that they were tears
OF happiness,
After seven long years my Ralph was
talking to me as he used to talk. knew
his voice, recognized his old imperious
way. saw that he had not changed As
If he would ever chanqel
When | had finished and dried my tears
they begged me to read his letter to them.
my DEAR. DEAR GIRL"-I told them
that could not, indeed. read all. but that
would read them what could; and this
was the beautiful beginning. In order that
should know at the outset. so thought
full he was. and for fear of my being anx-
ious on the point. that he loved me still,
and had never forgotten me- my dear,
dear girl-lt is now six years since babe
you farewell at your garden gate and
started upon my journey to London.
Your father has doubtless told you how
presented myself and with what kindness
he received me | am very sure that you
have not forgotten me. and hope that
you will rejoice to hear of my good for
tune" Hope. indeed Could he not be
sure? 81 have no doubt. also. that he
hath informed you of the strange good
fortune which befell me after he left me
at the East India company's house. of
which | told him by letter and special
messenger. to whom | gave. to insure
speedy and safe delivery. one shilling"
(But it would appear that this messenger
broke his word and took the shilling. but
did nothing for TIA common thief. who
deserved to be hanged like many an
other no more wicked than himself Obi
what punishment too great for this breach
of trust. small as 1t seemed See. now
what world of trouble was caused by
that little theft.) at was truly by special
providence that. while Mr. Silvertop
talked with me. the great captain who
won the Battle of Plassy should have
been standing near and should have over
heard what passed When | was hidden
go my ways for foolish boy because
did not wish to be a writer and waste his
time no longer. ! was much cast down. for
now began TO fear that must. like the
most Of mankind. take what was assigned
to me by providence rather than what |
should like. And | could plainly see that
there remained only one choice for me;
namely. | must return to the hated rule
of my cousin who wonld keep me AS a
plowboy as long as he could. or ! mus. be-
take me to the task of sweeping out and
serving shop. And yet, what shop2 But
who would employ me? Therefore hung
my head and stood irresolute without the
company's house. Now presently the
gentleman whom had seen within came
forth with another officer. brave in scar
let He saw me standing sadly beside the
posts. and inspired by that noble gener-
osity which has always distinguished this
great man. he clapped his hand upon my
shoulder.
80. he said, you are the lad who
loves a sword better than pen2
If 1t please your honor. | replied.
"A sword means peril to life and limb
he said sternly, he who goes a-fghting in
India must expect hard fate. rough Sleep
ing. rude knocks. He must be ever on
the watch against treachery He must
meet duplicity with equal cunning He
hluS1 OpSy OililOig' no huSt uoNSE dSh
why: If he is sent to die like rat in q
hole, he must go without murmur or
question. Whatl you think-do your
that to carry sword Is to flaunt scarlet
coat before the ladies' of st. James9'
Nay. sir. with respect. have read
the lives of soldiers | would willingly
take the danger for the sake of the honor,
But alasl | must stay at home and sweep
shop
What is thy birth. boyY
81 told him that. and satisfied him on
other points. including the reason Of my
flight, in which trust that was no more
than truthful Then he said:
i am Lord Give. and paused as If to
know whether had heard of him
You may be sure Twas astonished. but
Tquickly dotted my hat and made him my
best country bred bow.
My lord said. we have heard,
even in Northumberland. of Plassy.'
'Goodl went to India as a writer
miserable quill driving writer Think
of that What one man has done another
may do. Now, boy, | sail this day for
India. There will be more fighting.
great deal more fighting If you please
you shall go as a cadet with me. But
there is no time to hesitate; I sail this
day. Choose between the shop sweeping
and the musket. You will fight in the
ranks at first. but If you behave well the
sword win come after Choose-peace
and money scraping at homo like these
SNUG faced fat citizens, he swept his
hand with lordly contempt. or fighting
and poverty. and perhaps death abroad.
Choose
al humbly thank your lordship.' l
said. / viii follow you if you win conde-
scend to take me-
'"Then he bade me go straight to Lime
house Pool. where should find the ship
at anchor. was to take note to the
purser. who would give me an outfit.
THUS. my dear Drusilla. did find my
fortune and sail to foreign parts under as
brave and great captain as this country
viii ever see.
''Our voyage lasted eleven months.
There were 300 raw recruits on board,
mostly kidnapped or inveigled under false
pretenses by crimps and the scoundrels Of
Mapping. When they were first paraded
they were as beggarly looking lot as you
would wish to see-ragged. dirty. mutt
nous and foul mouthed Yet in a couple