The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-07-03

drew her hand from her sisters clasp |
and went to the other side of tie yard;
there was fierce dog chained; his din |
ner stood before him in a wooden basin. |
Mary put her hand into the basin and |
began to eat with the dog. Lizzie went |
nearer and saw that in the basin there |
was some liquor In which few pieces OF
bread and some boiled potatoes were
floating. She. likewise, could not resist;
she had but one feeling--that of the
most gnawing hunger. She took some
of the bread and potatoes and ate them
greedily.
The dog. not accustomed to such
guests. Iooked at the children full OF as
constituent; be drew back, then sat down
and left them his dinner, of which ne
had eaten but little. At this moment
the farmer stepped into the yard he
wished to see whether the children had
really left, and then he saw this singular
| scene. The dog was noted for his fierce
ess,and feared alike by young and old;
and was obliged to be constantly chained.
No one but his master dared to come
near him. Even the servant put his
food before him in the most cautious
manner. In the first moment the man
thought of nothing but the fearful dan
ger in which the children were, and
walking quickly toward them he ex-
claimed;
"Don't you see the dog? He viii tear
| you to pieces !"
| But suddenly he stopped as if rooted
to the ground; the dog had got up again
| and gone near the children. then he
looked at his master and wagged his tail.
| It seemed as if he wished to say:
"Don't drive my guests away |"
At that sight great charge came
oyer the man; the spectacle before him
acted like an electric shock, and feelings
such as he had never had before. seemed
to stir within him.
The children had risen, terrified at the
call of the man, fearful OF punishment
for having eaten the dogs food. A. last,
| after several minutes silence, the farmer
| asked:
Are you really so fearful hungry that
you do not even despise the dog s food !?
Come in, then, you shall have something
to sat, and as much as you like" And
thea taking them by the hand he led
them into the house. calling out to the
servant, Biddy. get some hot bread
and milk for these children, and be
quick.
| The dog had shamed his master-the
brute had shamed the man. Touched
by what he had seen, the farmer ives
anxious to make amends for what his
conscience showed him was great sin.
He seated the children at the table, sat
down by them and kindly asked their
| names
"My name is Lizzie" said the eldest,
land my sister is called Mary"
| Have your parents been dead long2"
| ''Our father has been dead two years,
but our mother only died last week.
At the thought of their recent grief
they both began to weep.
4" Don't cry children, said the farmer
kindly. God will in one way or an
other take care ofyou. But tell me now
where you came from?''
" From Longhrea replied the
child.
"From Longhrea ?" asked the man,
g from Longhrea? that is strange u
He began to suspect the truth and
asked hesltatingly.
What was your father name? ?"
Martin Sullivan" replied Lizzie.
-Martin-Martin Sullivan ?"
he exclaimed, jumping up at the same
time, and casting piercing look at the
children, thoroughly frightening them.
His face grew red-then tears came
into his eyes-at last he sotbed aloud.
He took the youngest child in his arms,
pressed her to his heart and kissed her.
The child struggled and called to her
sister for help she could not think what
the man meant. Then b. put down the
little one, and did the same to Lizzie,
who took it more quietly, as she had
seen that the man did not hurt her sis
ter. At last. becoming more composed,
he dried his tears, and said:
Do you know my name, children ?"
No." replied Lizzie.
"How happened it then, that you
have come to me ?'' he asked. " Has any
one sent you to me Pr
Nobody has sent US, replied Lizzie.
We were to go to Kilburn, where
brother of our father lives, and they said
he would gladly receive US. But do not
believe it. for mother always said that he
is hard hearted man whe does not care
for his relations.
:" Your mother was right when she
said so" said the farmer. but what
will you do if this hard hearted man does
not receive you.
'Then we shall have to starYe,'
answered Lizzie.
" No, ro!' exclaimed the man quick
ly; I" it shall never come to that-never! |
Dry your tears. The merciful God has |
had pity on your helnlessness. and has
made use of fierce brute to soften the |
heart Of your uncle. and therefore he will |
not forsake you-never!
The children looked at the man in be-
wilderment; they did not understand
what he said-his words and his behav-
Tor were alike strange to them. This he
soon perceived, for BIS added: You
are going to Kilburn to Patrick Sullivan;
you are already there | am your uncle.
and now that | know you are the chill
dren of my brother Martin, make you
welcome.
The children's tears were quickly |
into smiles, and the meal which
Biddy just then pu. ON the table for |