Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-12-24

our Unsuitable human nature A frosty night
| skinned the ponds with ice, suggested
skates, and these soon came to fill the whole
| horizon. And now Santa Claus had the
panic.
The next day Little Ben sat discousoately by
the doctor, who had an important case on
hand and therefore was too much preoceu-
MED to notice the downcast face of the boy.
! But the latter had come TO look upon the doc
| tor as his only hope, and at last he yentured-
"Dr, Bovine, can't you cure most kinds of
! sich1ness"
We'll" said the doctor good naturally,
with the help of a nice old lady named Ma
| ture can cure II good many kinds
"Do YOU think YOU could cure the pnnic?'
| faltered Little Ben.
The doctor laughed and said: "Tm afraid
the panic is too many for us both,
With the giving way of his last hope Little
| Ben gave way too and sobbed: Oh, oh, oh
Pm so sorry. You were my only hope"
! "Why. child what is the mattertn asked
| the doctor. in surprise.
FEATHER saws santa Claus has got the panic
| Just like MIR Shutdown, and he can't bring
| me any skates. as mother said he would, and
| Bpn's little face was the picture OF childish
! despair.
The doctor drew out the whole story of Mr..
Jamisous trouble and then said, with grave
face that inspired the utmost confidence; 81
must look into Santa Claus case. Now
] think OF ii, there have been times when the
| panic, if not too severe, was cured. | think
there's hope, Little Ben. III look into his
! case and tell YOU tomorrow
The child took heart and waited for the
| doctors opinion with as deep anxiety rs any
| loving watcher over sick friend.
The doctor told his wife about Little Ben's
trouble and she told some other ladies' and
though none of them were rich and had little
| folk Of their own ii was agreed among them
| ~, F,,, IN, In al
| ccrned Santa Claus should be tully recovered
| by Christmas.
The doctor told Little Ben next day that
| he was satisfied that he could cure Santa
Claus so that he would bring the skates, and
great was the consequent JOY.
| " DO YOU think he viii be well enough to
bring my little sisters anythingE' asked the
| boy.
Eyes" said the doctor; ave are going to
! cure him up strong. But you must not say
ANYTHING about it at home lie wants to sur
prise Your little sisters and all the rest"
How Little Ben swellcd and eXulted over
his secret, and the narrow escapes lie had from
letting it all out would require pages to re-
count Our Hon. Secretary of State, with
| all the secrets of the Cuban question in his
| possession, was not so conscious OF impor-
lance. one day he said paronizugly TO his
father, who, in CALLING idleness, brooded de
spondcntly in the dusky corner behind the
I
do, You wouldn't feel SO bad,' and then, fear
ing he might be questioned, ran away,
! As was inevitable, the family speedily
felt the presence Of poverty. Credit was diff
cult to obtain, and the little money on hand
soon melted away, Mr.. Jamison made many
inquiries and wrote many letters, but there
was no prospect of employment in his line.
He must soon either sell his place or put oil
the evil day by disposing OF household arti-
cles On inquiry he found that the prices OBJ
tanned would be so small, in view OF the gen
eral depression that it would be almost the
same as giving them away.
He was nearly desperate one evening, when
little Ben burst into the sitting ROOM eXclaim-
inc, in great excitement: Pats been getting
drunk again and made at awful row up NJ the
doctor enlightened them all out of their
wits; SO the doctors just sent him kiting,"
Mr.. Jamison seized his hat and was gone in
a moment.
"Oh, mother, what does papa want to catch
Pat for?n asked Little Ben, with increasing
excitement
"Wait and see" and the good woman was
puzzled herself.
Half an hour later Mr. Jamson came in
with more of his old CHEEKY manner than he
had shown since til min stopped; and instead
of going into the dusky corner sat down
where the light fell on his swarthy face
Z" Did you find Pat ?" asked Little Ben,
breathessly.
.'Paty no what should want Of him?
found what Pat lost-Work.'
Do you mean to say that You arc going
to work for the doctor" asked Mrs, Jamison,
in dismay.
Indeed | do. | am going to tend his
horse, mind the fires, black his boots and
make myself generally useful for twelve dol
lars a month, and Glad and grateful am | for
the chance
This brought Alic out Coming to her
father she put her hand on his shoulder and
said:
cts time gave up being fine lady, MS
you call me. I've tried to eat as littlc as pos.
sble to save, and have thought and thought