Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1865-08-02
Ny Marriage, or tic Dreadful
Widow.

IN bY-strcct1 WHICH, suppose, had col
lected for the contemplation and anioy-
ment of some triling and coDtemptibl,
disturbance, but into which at the time
was not in the mood to inquire, when my
course was arrested by pair cf beautifu
large black eyer, under lady S veil, which
met mine with Il mute appeal that could
not, for moment resist.
"What is the matter? p / demanded o.
the possessor of the bright black eyes.
4 remarkable sweet voice replied, "l
have venturcd to interfere in behalf of q
child | saw the people abusing, but am
afraid that, without some assistance, my
efforts will be unavailing"
Wasn't abusing it," cried several
rough voices together She was only
fighting with little Mike, and she'd got
the best OF him, too if yo'd let her alone. .
{" 1t is quito enough" said the lady, with
spirit her splendid eyes flashing as she
| spoke, " that your sex should disgrace it
self in this way. i shall not allow mine,
especially such little creature as this, to
make savage bruto Of itself, if [ can
help it"
You are right madam" / said. 'Thc
man who would sec your sex dragged into
! the prize-ring must have little respect for
/ h:s own mother. You are Quixotic, how,
/ ever, to assume tho duties of this child s
natural protector. Where are its par
| cnts ?"
"Dead," cried three other little children,
in chorus.
Whcrc-how does this little girl live,
then p
She lives with Miss Fanny Fink, and
does errands for her
What sort of person is this?' in
| quircd the dark-cyed lady.
She dresses finer than you do, ma am, y
replied one of the female bystandcrs
but she is not exactly the one to bring
up child in the way it should 80, as she
has strayed long way out herself
| The pointed truthrulncss of this remark
raised laugh among the acquaintancos 5
Of Miss Fanny Fink.
| The lady in the meantime, had not let
1 70 her hold on a halCclad sturdy little
/ girl, whose face was flushed with passion,
| and discolored with blood, dirt and tears.
/ She stopped down to her, raising her veil,
and said, Little one if you will so with
me, | will find you u good home You
shall have nice clothes, enough to cat, and
| be taught to read and write. What do
you soy?''
The sweetness and beauty of the lady s
face surprised me; the child seemed quite
ovcrpuwered by her gentle influence, and
replied: "Yes mnam, | will 90 with you
anywhere"
! At this iuncturc policeman arrived on
/ the spot, and the lady at once addressed
herself to him, explaining the case, and
shortly afterward she walked away, lead
ing her little charge, escorted by the
guardian of the peace. Although much
pressed for time, | fingered to look after
/ her till she turned the corner; for never
had | seen face which seemed to me
half so lovely US hers, and it haunted me
ever after.
/ had, however, at that time too many
troubles of my own to afford time to look
after those OF others. A very long and
expensive lawsuit had exhausted the once
handsome fortune that had long kept my
family in so cnyiable position, and lef
nc nothing but fallacious hopes and IL
lusiyc expectations My father died dur.
ing tho slow progress of the litigation
the lawyer who had commenced and Sc
long conducted it also died before its con
clusion; and it appeared too probable tha
my mother, too, would pass away without
the satisfaction of knowing that so mucl
money, thought, anxiety and suspense had
not been entirely thrown away. She was
very i'll and | foresaw with certainty tina
the slender thread which held her to this
life would snap, if the final decision IL
our cause, which it was believed woult
soon TIC rendered, should be against us
fer It would ncccssitate the sale of all tina
remained to us, and leave us little bette
than bcrcars 1t was our last stake, upol
which all our hopes AMI confidence hat
gradually concentrated; and If that wer,
lost We had nothing more to losH-nothin:
but blank dispair to encounter, which w
burst not anticipate.
The lawyer, who at the time, conducte'
our suit was an old faiend of my father
successful, rich, independent, and surly
and, as he had undertaken the ease NOR
from friendly thsn pecuniary motives, di,
not attempt to disguise the truth and pro
liabilities from nc. But | could not
would not look forward to anything bu
triumph and chose rather to regard hi
discouragin- ton- a. one of the means h
cmployed 70 embrace the value Of his ser
vices in achieving success, lie was
good man mt heart, that old lawyer, an
his penetration was wonderful; but h
was not apt to spoil the medicine by over
sweeteuins it, and my pampcred palate r,
bclled not little against Its Gisgustin
hut wholesome bitterness.