The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-04-29
CHAPTER XXXIV.
In WHICH DIR. DREAMING AND MAR.
GARET COME TO AN UNDER
STANDING

IN WHICH DIR. DREAMING AND MAR
GARET COME TO AN UNDER
STANDING.
The fourth evening came in which
Margaret was to meet the committee.
Judge Kendon brought the welcome
news that Miss Ironton had left The
Home. The managers had borrowed
money and paid her two hundred and
fifty dollars, claimed as due her for ser
vices she retained all the c,ntribu-
tions sent from the East, and had Civ
en- notice of her Intention to take away
the school furniture. Margaret raised
her hands with a tcrveot "Thank
Goa," and the Judge responded that
it was cause for thankfulness, but add
ed:
II do not look upon her as finally
disposed Of. Reformers as class, are
obstinate people, and We American
Abolitionists are about as obstinate as
any the world has yet produced. Get
one Of us wrong and We aro dreadfully
wrong; aud experience proves that it
is impossible to combine Us in one
course Of action. We have been train
ed in a school Of opposition. This en-
tire party from a to 2 are Abolition
lists more or less. DR.. Dreaming has
fought good fight on that question.
He as 6:mly believes that Miss 1ronton
is prosecuted for righteousness sake as
you believe the opposite. He has an
almost unlimited power of explaining
away troublesome facts, which lie in the
way of preconceived opinion and he,
with Miss 1ronten and her party, will
mover rest until she is reiastated."
~"1 WONDER" said Margaret musing-
ly, chow it would do for me to make
affidavit of her treatment of Peter, and
have her arrested on charge cf man
slaughter or murder ?"
Mrs. Kendon sprang up, and coming
behind her threw her arms around her,
and stooping kissed her forehead, say
ing:
~ declare, Maggie, you are the right
bower, but you do not know what that
is. You know the. Sunday Herald
says you're strong. minded sister, but
you are not much more than about half
large enough. You ought to have
great fierce black eyes aud broad shoul-
de:s. What determined little thing
you are, and if ever my children are or
phans 1 hope you will take charge Of
them. Don't you ever let any STEP
mother have them. You remember
Mathew, if I die Maggie is to have my
children" 49,:
"Have you any premcni,ions! :" he
inquired, smiling.
*"Oh, you big wig" she rejolncd,
pouching her lips At him; aud taking
Margaret by the hand, said, "come and
play polka for US, I am going to make
him dance, then TIL 60 to that horrid
meeting with you and make him 20
along. 1t is regular shame that We
have left you to fight this dreadful Lu.
crccia Borgia, while have been drag
gins him off to the opera"
The dancing vas rather a one-sided
affair, as carrying Freddy in bis arms
he walked back and forth, while she
danced the polka around them holding
the hand Of little May. 1t was beau
tifal family group, and scene that
Margaret long remembered after dark
ness had settled on the devoted house.
That evening MISS Ironton came to
the investigation, attended alone by her
attorney, Who still maintained general
silence, leaving his work to DR.. Dream
ing.
Mrs. Bateman was called, and testi-
fed that when she went to The Home,
she found the distress of thirst so great
amongst the children that a drink Of
water was the highest reward they
could be offered.
She described the condition of the
children - heartrending, suffering as
they we're from hunger, thirst and ver-
min, %'-' .
The lady managers had first waver-
ed ia their support Of Mrs Batcmsn,
about tskihg5 tks children into tho
drawing -roomo on II Sabbath evenings,
aud the house diuing-room Ere on chill
mornings: They also disapproved Of her
permitting them to 90 On the grass, At
the front d sides st the house, or to
come upIon'ths front porch but. still
argued with. ber about giving them
mo . aud better food and sufficient
| drink, until Miss 1ronton had pe4ssuusId3.