The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1870-10-14

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her. For the first time in his life he
recognized link between himself and
fellow-crcaturc. She was also cold,
poor, and lonely. They were equally
miserable. Seized by a sudden i'm
pulse, he lifted her in his arms and
carried her through the streets to his
wretched garrett. Then taking off
his coat, he wrapped her in it and
comm enced rubbing the icy hands
and feet. After some time the child
opened her eyes, ard from that mo-
mcnt the bond between them was
sealed forever.
She never left him. He soon Law
iShed upon her all the devotion of an
undying nature. In return the poor
little heathen who had never entered
u church in her life, thought nothing
Oh earth 50 worshipful as Tom, and
adored no other deity. A new life
had dawed upon them both, a great
mine Of wealth had been opened.
Thcy were no longer poor, lonely,
dcsolatc. Gall It infatuation, or
what you will, it was wonderful
power which could thus transform
want into plenty, cold into warmth,
and comfortlessness into luxury
one Of those few inexplicable powers
which combat and conquer death.
1t can now be understood what was
the old mans despair when tho post
mistress sent for him and proposed
to adopt the child. She had taken
fancy to the little thing, and, having
learned the destitute condition. in
which the two lived, never doubted
her charitable offer would be thank
fully accepted The old man could
not rejoice. He could only realize
the one misera bic fact-she must 90.
lie FASTENED home very detected, and
when in sight Of the house thought
it had never before looked so poor.
the roof was broken in several places,
and states wanting. The window, in
which faint light gllmmered, was
patched with paper, the walls were
discolored with damp, and the door
was low. AS he CROPPED his way up
the rickcty stairs, he sighed involun-
tarily
ooh, Det, Dot, I'd like to take
all the warmth and shine out of that
house before l ever tell you Of it.
On entering, he pcared through
the darkness for the one object which
made the room light to him. The
child knclt close to the fire, sewing
some coarse garment. Her cyos
sparkled with pleasure on seeing the
old man, but she greeted him with
a cemio prctcnse Of anger.
" was hoping,' she SAID with dig
nifty, "it wasn't you. I thought
you'd have stayed out all night rath,
er than come in and look me in the
face Perhaps you've forgotten what
| told you yesterday
Tom hung his head with happy
CONSCIOUSNESS of guilt, and. could not
restrain a chuck!c of enjoyment
"No,' he said mcekly, Il re-
member it. 1t was not to be late
again.
THE very words" replied, Dot,
.erhly, land yet here you are -
What did You think I'd do? Wern't
ycu frightened Of me?'
"No," said the other submissive
ly.
" Well, I wonder you wern't," she
continued with cruel determination;
live been thinking, and have set.
tied what to do. First, | hit upon
no FIRE, but that's too common to be
any punishment at all. And then |
said no supper; but that wasn't hard
enough. SO now l have it-dry
bread and nothing to eat with it.
I've put the beer, bacon, and butter
iuto the press.
At this, unable to keep up her part
any longer, sho looked at him and
they both laughed gaily. The fact
was, the three last mentioned arti.
eles were dainties never seen in poor
Toms cupboard from years end to
years end. Enough was truly a
feast to them, and one of very rare
occurrence. This grand stretch of
imagination fully supplied the ab-
sence of these luxurics. Tom was
enchanted.
II don't WONDER" continued she
graycly, ''you think the supper bare.
But my minds made up, and, how
ever much you beg, I'm not going to
give in"
There was no doubt the table was
bare. The assortment of glass and
china was anything but ma agrifcent.
1t consisted Of one cracked jug, one
tum bier, two saucers, and clumsy
pocket knife, rather the verse for
wear. Nor was the palate tempted
by much variety. In solids they had
the choice between two things-bread
or nothing-and in liquids, water or
nothing.
The old mans face cloudcd. All
his formery misery returned, and his
mirth was gone. Dot observed the
change.
II soe," she said quietly, "you're
discontinued, and I'm glad. 1t is
we'll you should feel uncomfortable
for little-just what want
They seated themselves, but he
could not take mouthful. His ewes
were fixed on the child with q
long deyouring gaze. She, indeed,
was his sustenancc and refreshment