Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23

and fewer people to obey the laws The
great empty Enclosure looked more cheer
ful when there was no market held and
when the boys of the town played in the
deserted place. In the last warehouse left
in a state of repair the crane was gener-
ally idle. the windows were mostly shut
up and solitary man represented lam
gushing trade, idling at a h3if-opened
door. Tine muddy river rose and fell with
the distant tide. At rare intervals col
Iler discharged its cargo on the moulder-
ing quay, Or an empty barge took in a load
of hay. One bold house advertised in a
dirty window, apartments to let There
was lawyer in the town, who mad no oc-
casion to keep clerk; and there was a
doctor who hoped to sell his practice for
anything it would fetch. The directors of
the new railway, af er stormy meeting,
decided on offering (by means of a station)
last chance OF revival of the dying town.
The town had not vitality enough left to
be grateful: the railway stimulant pro-
duced no effect. Of all his colleagues in
Great Britain and Ireland, the station
master at HoneybuzZard was the idlest
man-and this. as he said to the unem-
ployed porter, through no want of energy
on his own part.
Late on rainy autumn afternoon, the
slow train left one traveller at the station
He got out of a first-class carriage: he car
ried an umbrella and a travelling bag: and
he asked his way to the best inn. The
station-master and the porter compared
notes. One of them said: Evidently a
gentleman" The other added: 'sW hat
can he possibly want here?'
The stranger twice lost his way in the
tortuOuS old streets of the town before he
reached the inn. On giving his orders, it
appeared that he wanted three things: a
private room, something to eat, and, while
the dinner was being cooked materials for
writing letter.
Answering her daughters questions
downstairs, the landlady described her
guest as a nice-looking man dressed in
deep mourning. Young. my dear, with
beautiful dark brown hair, and a grand
beard, and a sweet sorrowful look. All.
his eyes would tell anybody that his black
clothes are not mere sham. Whether
married or single. of course I can't say
But / noticed the name on his travelling
bag. A distinguished name, in nv opin-
ion-Hugh Mountjoy. | wonder what
he'll order to drink when he has his din
ner? What mercy it will be if we can
get rid of another bottle of the sour French
winep'
The bell in the private room rang at that
moment, and the landlady's daughter it
is needless to say, took the opportunity of
forming her own opinion of Mr.. Hugh
Mountjoy.
She returned with letter in her hand,
consumed by vain longing for the adj
vantages of gentle birth "Ah, mother,
if / was a young lady of the higher classes.
| know whose wife | should like to be. -
Not particularly interested in sentimental
aspirations, the landlady asked to see Mr.
Mountjoy's letter. The messenger who
delivered it was to wait for an answer. 1t
was addressed to: miss Henley. care of
Clarence Vimpanv, Esquire, Honeybuz-
gard" Urged by an excited Imagination,
the daughter longed to see Miss Henley.
The mother was at a loss to understand
why Mr.. MountjOy should have troubled
| himself to write the letter at ALL eff he
knows the young lady who is staying at
the doctors house." she said, ''why doesn't
he call on Miss Henley?' She handed
the letter back to her daughter. "Therel
let the ostler take it; he's got nothing to
do"
mo- mother. The ostler's dirty hands
mustn't touch it-I'll take the letter my
self. Perhaps | may see Miss Henley"
| Such was the impression which MI. Hugh
Mountjoy had innocently produced on a
sensitive young person, condemned by
destiny to the barren sphere of action af-
| forded by country inni
The landlady herself took the dinner up
| stairs-a first course of mutton chops and
potatoes: cooked to degree of imperfec-
| ton only attained in an English kitchen
| The sour French wine was still on the
good woman's mind. what would you
choose to drink. sir?' she asked. Mr..
Mountjoy seemed to feel no interest in
what he might have to drink 1--WE have
some French wine, SIR Thank you,
ma'am: that will do"