Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-05-04


| ments, looking around as she saw the chill
dren had both put on their bonnets, and wer,
tying their warm capes close about their neck
She understood very well the meaning of this
and therefore did not ask question, although
the tears came to her eyes, and her voice
/ trembied as she-said.--
| ut IS very cold out tonight, children"
| "But we won't feel il mother, !" replied ADV,
We'll run along very quick"
/ And the two little ones went out before
| their mother, whose feelings were choking
her, could say word more As they closed
the door after them, and left her alone, she
raised her eyes upwards, and murmured
"GOd bless and reward the dear children. -
1t was bleak winter night; and, as the
little adventures stepped into the street, the
wind swept fiercely along, and almost drove
them back against the door. But they caught
each other tightly by the hands, and bending
their little forms to meet the pressure of the
cold, rushing air, hurried on the way they
were going as fast as they could move The
streets were dark and deserted; but the chill
dren were not afraid. Love filled their
hearts, and left no room for fear.
They did not speak word to each other
as they fastened along. After going for dis
lance of several blocks they stopped before
house, over the door of which was a hand
some, ornamented gas lamp, bearing the words
Oysters and Refreshments It was strange
place for two little girls like them TO enter.
and ct such an hour; but after standing for a
moment, they pushed againgt the green door,
which turned lightly on its hinges, and stepped
INTO large and brilliantly lighted bar-rooin.
BLESS US !" exclaimed man who sat read
ing ut table. Here are those babes again ~
Ady and Jane stood still, near the door. and
looked all around the room. But not seeing
the object Of their search, they went up to the
bar, and said tinidy, to u man who stood be-
hind It, pouring liquor into glasses,
Has papa been here to night %
The man leaned over the bar, until his face
was close to the children, when he said in an
angry way.
II dOn't know anything about your father
And see here Don'E come here any more
If you do, will call my big dog out OF the
yard and make him bite you.''
Ady felt frightened, as well by the harsh
manner, as the angry words Of the man, and
they started back from him, and were turn
ing towards the door with sad faces, when
the person who had first remarked their en-
trance, called out loud enough for them to
hear him.
Come here, my little girls
The children stepped and looked at him, !
when he beckoned for them to approach, and |
they did so.
Are you looking for your father?" he asked |
Eyes, sir" replied Ady.
''What did that man at the bar say to you 2" |
''He said that papa was not here and that |
if we came any more, lie would set his dog on |
u.s."
s'He did /"
The man knit his brows, for an instaut.-
Then said,
"Who sent you here ?"
Nobody" answered Ady.
Don't your mother know you have comet"
''Yes, sir. She told rs to go to bed, but we |
couldn't go until papa was home. And so we |
came for him, first"
He is here !"
''Is he - And the children's faces bright |
ened.
Yes. He's at the other end of the room
asleep. I'll wake him for you"
Half Intoxicated and sound asleep it was
with some difficulty that Mr.. Freeman could /
be aroused.
AS soon however as his eyes were fairly |
opened, and he found that Ady and Jane had |
each grasped tightly one Of his hands, he a.
rose up, and yielding passvely 10 their drec- /
ton, suffered them to lead him away.
''Oh dear exclaimed Il man who had looked /
on with wonder and deep interest.
anI hat fs9 te9mPeTance lecture that can
with emotion, land give them a sober father
II guess you never saw them before ?" said |
one of the bar-keepers lightly.
mo, and | never wish to again, at least in
this place. Who is their father =
"Freeman, the lawyer
"Not tie one, who, few years ago con-
Quoted, with so much ability, the case against |
the Marine and Insurance Company.
The same.''
ais II possible -
A little group now formed around the man,
and good deal was said about Freeman /
and his fall from sobriety. One who had sew
eral times seen Ady and Jane come in and |
lead him home as they had just done, spoke |
Of them with much feeling, and ali agreed |
that it was a most touching case.
ITO see said one, chow passively be yields
himself to the little things when they come |
after him. feel, sometimes when ! see them, /
weak enough to shed tears
"They are his good angels remarked an /
other. 'EBUt | am afraid they are not strong
enough to lead him back to the path he has
forsaken."
'sYou can think what you please gentle
mea,'' spoke up the landlord, ''but | can tell
you my opinion on the subject. L wouldn't
give much for the mother who would let two
little things like them so wandering about the
streets alone at this time OF night"
One of those who had expressed interest
in the children, felt angry at this remark, and
he retorted with some bitterness.
And | would give less for the man who
would make their father drunk ~
Ditto to that responded one Of the CON-
pany.
The landlord, finding that majority of his
company were likely 10 be against him, smoth-
cred his angrey feelings and kept silence. A
few minutes afterwards two or three of the
inmates of the bar room went away.
About ten O'Clock on the next morning
,,,Iila NTr Erannnan ,rho Was reneraIh 60