Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-06-26
THE JOURNAL.
BESSIE BENTON.
By JOSEPHINE

had few friends, but many enemies, her
husband had long since died drunkards
death, and Mag had to beg or starve, for
work she would not. she had been out
begging one day and had very poor sue
cess, and on returning to her hut IN tie
woods, at night bad been attracted by
the sound of n child's voice rs ifin dis
tress; she ran to the spot and there lay
an innc cent babe of not more than one
year of age--the darling of fond
mothers heart, which had been entrus.
ted to the care Of q nurse all too young
to accept the charge, and this accounts
for its being found, deserted. Now
thought Old Mag I'll take care of this
young 'un and bring it up, and then she
shall leg for us both. With this she car
ried the little one home, nursed it and
kept it alive, until it was four years OLD.
She then sent il out on its first duty to
beg. Every one gave her something
and at night the child came 10 Old Mag
with its little basket full and so heavy
she bad to ask little boy to help her.
lie too was begger and very bad boy
for he used such pEofane language, if the
little one would not keep up with him,
that the poor child was glad to see even
Cd Mag standing in the door to meet
them. The boy being several years Of
der than the child at once attracted the
attention of Mag who asked him who he
was. She received that ZANE old answer
Nobodys child" She tho't to adopt
this boy too, would be an act of charity,
and as he at once asseDtel 10 it, she took
him in. The following morning the
two were sent on the sauna Grant To-
gether, Bill rs he was called, 10 help the
little one carry the basket, while she dill
the begging, for she ha! such pretty
curls aud deep blue eyes, every one liked
her aud she was never refused. Things
went on with Old Mag who soon hal
the future all planned to suit herself. Bill
must marry Bessie, when they were old
enough, and she had often talked to them
young as hey were. and Oh ono occa-
sion she bad given Bessie = terrible beat
ing because she said she would not be
bis wife. One day tho children hal s'aF
tod begging as usual. Il happened t.
be Christmas morning an; Bsss had
gone far in advance, for she was cf.a; of
Bill. While playing with some other
beggar girls Ike herself a well dressed
man stopped to speak to them.
We'll little ones W rat are you doingT
They all stopped ani looked ut him in
wonder, ard little Bees was the first one
TO speak. 1--WE have stsrte ont bcg
ging, but We dnn't ike to beg; IL Tcur
little girls bcgi' Dr.. B'n'on could hear
no moro. Takin2 the Lutte 9 RI By the
hand he led hcr = sHoit way from the
rest Of The girls and she toll him she
hl boon sent TO Lrg, hu, wou.! sav 10
more fer Mag's threats were before her,
and she would ID anything sooner than
make her angry.
hes, she would = with The man and
be such good girl, if he would only let
her. 30. please 10 let me % md he
your iiiile girl.' she pleaIe.l.
Dr.. BIS heart was moved wh3n she
tanned upos him those blue eyes filed
with tears; Ia leading her to dress IA
ker's establishment be gave her into the
hands Of n very kind lady who brought
DR.. B. beautiful neatly clad girl in
stead Of the title bundle of rags he had
brought there; her pretty curls had been
arranged AMI be would not
have Known her bat for those deep blue
eyes. lie then took hi, CHRISTMAS pres
eat home to Nellie, aud as little Bess is
in good hands we will leave her and
return TO Mag.
Bll had hunte in every street, all over
the city but no Bess could he find. and
sour and cross he returned TO Mag with
m empty basket. We'll Bill, where's
Bess:' said she ?. he slammed he door
behind him and threw his basket 10 the
fartherest corner If lIsc room
Don't know AMI don't care, she's run
of and got stole | guess, | can't iad
her"
Meg spra.g to her Zee, in astonisl'
ment.
W hHt tiI'sl ou sly You iaeCdl - Iuu
off-what's that and she caught her
big stick which had been a terror to both
Bess and Bill.
20 Mag, don't lick me; never stole
her, and It's just as bad for me as you,
for don't you see I've lost wife, He.
he!
''You scamp. put on your hat, and we'll
start for the young 'un, and if | find her
she'll be sorry she ever saw Mag Mar
tin y and Mag threw the stick into the
corner and tying on her bonnet started
in search of Bessie. Up and down the
street they wandered, calling Bess--but
tue poor child had found friends and was
no where to be seen, and Mag, after
watching her opportunity, stole loaf of
bread and turned homeward, mutter
ing to herself. Bill shall have her yet"
Ten years mad passed, and Bill and Mag
bad wandered from town TO town with
only two objects. First getting enough
to eat to sustain life and secondly 10 find
Bess. AT last they came to Bentonville,
and as Mag was one day wandering