Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-07-27

be quick, or you'll lose them; and The
woman stepped briskly away to her place
The farmer looked at the child intently.
and by his kind words and seeming inter
est, soon drew from her the simple history
of her sorrows related with all a child's
frankness. The shaggy sleeve was drawn
across his eyes more than once as he listen
ed. and he had too honest a heart to be
ashamed Of it.
When she had finished, he said, .'Then
you have not any relations in the CITY, Al
ice? Nobody to look for you home to-
night ?"
80, sir,' she answered, 81 have no
home now. None but the station-house. -
and she shuddered at the thought Of sleep
ing there associated as it is in the mind
of every poor child in the city, with tbe
idea Of drunken braBls, theft and crime.
VIII you so home with ma, Alice? Nv
Hannah will be a mother to you, and YOU
shall not want for anything It would
seem most like having our little Emily
back again," he said to himself She had
great brown eyes just like yours. You
make me think of her every minute and
a big tear was brushed aside. s.She had
laid IN her grave three months come Sun
day, and the baby, our little Benny, has
forgotten all about her as was so fond of
him, He would leave his mothers arms
any time to go to her. VIII you 60 home
with me, Alice, and be a sister to little
Benny?''
"Oh, sir, will you take me?" said the
child, her face glowing with eager hope,
while her frame trembled with excitement,
Be sure | willard now we had better
jog on, so as to be home in time for sup
per. I have sold out all my Christmas
turkeys, and the big wagon is just round
the corner. But you can't ride in the
cold with them clothes on, he continued,
looking at her thin garments. Taking her
by the hand, he sought a store, near by,
where he bought warm wooden shawl, a
knitted hood, and heecy lined gloves, which
he bade her put on, "There, those will
stand you till we get home and then the
mother will rig you out more comfortable"
The child's eyes danced with pleasure as
she viewed the treasures but she could
only say, with glad tears, 80, sir, you are
too good" I"
Not a bit, - laughed the good natured
farmer. " You are my little girl now, and
I must provide for you
They soon reached the covered jersey
wagon, and lifting the little girl in, he seat
ed himself beside her, drawing the buffalo
robe well around her feet And SO they
rode on; farmer Belts chatting all the
time with his happy companion, who could
hardly realize her identity
Then you like apples, Alice, do you !?
You shall have bushel of them this winter,
if you want. Do you like to feed chickens
and turkeys?"
tt think I should, dearly; but I never
saw any live ones except those in the mar
ket."
"Well, I never! I guess you don't eat
them very often either, do you now ?"
"We have had no meat of any kind for
long time
"No meat? Why, what did you have
for breakfast?''
"Only the apples you gave me, SIR
|
What did you have yesterday?''
"Only some potatoe and turnip parings
| found in the street." said the child mod
estly.
The astonished farmer gazed at her for
the first time doubtingly, but there was no
untruthfulness in those full, candid eyes,
'' Is it possible there are any people so
poor? I never'll waste a piece of bread
again, if that's so, I am sorry I did not
know you were so hungry when we were in
the market; but here is piece of bread
and butter and cold meat I had left from
my dinner"
The child's hunger was keen, and the
present relief of mind made the want doub-
ly felt She devoured it hastily, despite
her effort to control herself, for, hunger
knows no law"
Hannah will have good, warm supper
when we get home all ready, I know. She
never fails of that when 60 down to York
I guess Davy can jog on little faster,
such good roads, " and he gave the lines a
shake, which Davy seemed to understand
as an intimation that he might hurry on tc
his warm stable rather faster An hou
more and they reached the pleasant farm
house, The good wife, Hannah, come out
to meet her husband, and inquired with
some surprise,
Why, who have thee there, William? 2
for being quaker born, she occasionally
I used their forms of address Alice shranl
back little, fearful that there would be NJ
welcome for her here.
A few words told the simple story, as hs
lifted the child from the wagon and placed
her inside the gate. 1t was enough, anC
the good mothers arms and heart opened
wide to receive her.
/" Thee is welcome, little one. Thee
shalt never want for home again." ant
she brought her into the cheerful family
room," and placed Emily's low rocking
chair beside the bright fire for her. Witt
gentle hands she removed her shawl ant
hood, and, when she had grown warm ant
comfortable, it took but a minute to ex
change her thin, but neat old garments, fo
a warm dark worsted suit which had be
longed to the loved and lost one.
Just about her size, said the goot
woman thoughtfuily, g only thinner. Sh'
would rather thee had them than that the.
should lie idle. She would give away al
she possed to make any one else happier
Emily would,
The transformed child looked rathe
beautiful, after having carefully brushed he