The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-05-27

te VI ltS Occupant, VINO was lar bet
Ger read man than his parishioners had
any idea OF. His household was small,
consisting simply of his sister Ruth and
granddaughter Grace - the former q
lady of uncertain years and temper,
whose periodical fitsof irritability were
compensated for by splendid qualifica-
tions as housekeeper and a strong af-
fection for her brother, whom the neigh
bors said she ruled with a rod Of
iron - the latter a sweet girl Of
eighteen, whose radiant smile and
winning ways made sunshine In
the old mans house. She was the ac-
knowledged village beauty-a triAe
short in stature, perhaps, but with
form exquisitely nodded, expressive
eyes, which spoke with every glance,
q healthy complexion that let the
blush quickly suffuse the cheek, vet
which had nothing Of the pink-and-
white hectic loveliness 80 dear 10 lady
novelists, small, soft hand, low,
musical voice and an utter unconscious
ness OF her own undeniable prettiness--
In fact, q sweet, strong, pure-minded
girl, Just blossoming into a promising
womanhood. Grace was the old mans
grandchild, the orphan daughter Of his
only son, who had died with his young
wife ten years ago.
The Sabbath-day's work was over, and
the minister was on the point of retiring
TO his well-earned rest, when sharp
ring at the front-door bell announced
Lite visitor.
"Bless my life, said the old parson,
'Stho can be coming here at this time
OF night2 Shouldn't wonder II Dea-
con Spencer's taken worse, and I'll
have to drive out to his place, and the
mares cast q shoe, and"
But by this time Grace had opened
the door and admitted lady.
Goodness gracious, Mary Besant"
Miss Ruth ejaculated, holding up her
mittened hands in an ecstacy Of sur
prise. "What In the name Of wonder
has brought you out of doors In tho
dead Of nightP'
It was barely ten o'clock by the Con-
necticut time-piece which ticked over
the mantel-piece, but II was ''the dead
Of night" to the village Of Meltonburg,
whose silent streets at this hour showed
never light, save when in some cot
tage window, where sickness was, q
lone lamp CLEANED like solitary star.
The visitor was handsome woman Of
forty years, who carried her age so well
TINT she might have passed for decade
younger, Notwithstanding her tear
stained cheeks.
She ignored Grace's caressing greet
ing and Miss Ruths inquiry, and turned
the battery Of remonstrant eyes on the
minister, who stood uncomfortably ex-
pectant.
Then, with world Of reproach in her
accents, she said:
"You have done your work well, sir
my Frank, my boy, is going TO enlist.
He has told me the bitter truth tonight.
have gone down on my knees before
him and prayed him not TO leave me;
but he is obdurate."
The minister was speechless. Even
the consciousness OF having simply
done his duty was unbalanced by the
infinite pity he felt for the unhappy
mother; but Ruth was actuated by no
such delicate sentiments, and, with a
sniff Of defiance, boldly advanced TO her
brothers rescue.
"Hoity-toityI" she said. "Here's a
pretty to-do about nothing, Mary
Besant. I'd be ashamed Of myself, II
were you, making such fuss over the
lad. Is he made Of different clay from
other young men, that he should be
tied TO his mothers apron-string, when
his country needs his services? Do you
think that Stephen Williams and
Johnnie Black, and q score Of others in
the place who have gone TO the front,
hudn't mothers TO weep for them-just
as fond Of them as you are Of your
Frank-aye, and proud TO think they
have strong sons willing TO defend
them. Not 60 TO the front, indeedl
Pshaw, II II wasn't for the absurd pre-
judice OF the age, I'd shoulder
musket myself You have done your
living best to spoil that boy of yours,
and l tell you TO your face that / am
glad you've failed. II Frank Is going
a-soldiering he is doing Just what he
ought TO do, and you should go down
ON your bended knees-not TO him, but
TO God, TO thank Him for having given
you son with such spirit Tears, In
deedl II he was my lad, this would be
the proudest moment Of my life."
This was q day Of surprises TO the
minister's friends. In the morning he
had astonshed those who had known
him for years by his display OF oratory;
tonight he literally paralyzed Miss
Ruth, whose tongue heretofore had
been accustomed TO wag in perfect un-
restraint, by sudden assumption Of
authority.
"Silence, Ruth" he commanded.
"Mrs. Besant came here-where she had
q right TO come-for consolation In the
hour Of need, and will not have her
annoyed by your senseless gabble."
Senseless gabblel For thirty years
Ruth Brentwood had ruled her brother
with uncontrolled austerity, and now
he had turned upon her with a rude
ness and vulgarity which so over
powered her that she sank upon sofa
In speechless Indignation.
"And now, Mrs. Bcsant," the pastor
began, soothingly, turning to the
widow, "let me ask you"
"Ask me nothing, sir" was the pas