River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-01-09
" MADEZ."

/ steps we nau Just descended. She was
very pale little woman, neat enough
to be sure, but certainly not an attract
i've woman. My friend raised his hat
as she passed, remarking to me
That was heroine who passed. /
suppose, however, you did not notice
any of the elements of such a being
about her, did you 2"
No, said / smiling, 81 thought
her a very ordinary, starved looking
little student but if she has the merit,
as you say, OF being heroine, let us
hear how 1T is. / have rather
penchant for ugly heroines, as it is the
fashion to have them all pretty. You
know one tires of monotony. Change,
even for the worse, is a relief on coca
sion"
q know continued Carl. as we
seated ourselves il quiet corner of
the University garden. (These Ger
man people make gardens about every
building where they can spare a bit of
room for one.)
know yeu would hardly think it,
but she IS one truly. She came here a
long time ago--three or four years ago.
She began to study. She was very poor,
and had hard time to get bread enough
to eat, let alone anything else. But
somehow she managed it, and studied
with a mans energy.
Sometimes she was very cold in her
miserable garnet, and used to go down
to the station and get warm. Think of
it, poor little thing But she never so
much as let anybody guess that she was
not at least comfortable, she was so
proud and brave.
Well, one day as she came out TO 10
to her lecture, she met young student
walking drearily down the street. He
was townsman of hers. They discov-
cred each other at the same moment,
and hurried to give each other the
hand-how glad they were to meet. -"
g How long have you been mere :"
inquired she.
Six months, he replied.
And are you q student she
asked.
Yes, he was a student and then they
chatted about their studies, and won
dered that they had never met before.
Then she asked
" And how do you get along, Ivan?"
+" Oh, very well, " answered he cheer
fully, land you >
Oh, " said she as bravely, every
well, and where do you hve?"
He started, hesitated, then answer.
ed
" ! am just moving and have found
no place yet"
And the little woman, looking ut him
very closely, saw what she thought was
tear trying to get out from under his
eyehd she felt as if there were two
trying to creep out from under her
own, and she cried out
Come, Ivan, there is something the
matter IT IS not very we'll with YOU.
Tell me, l am as your sister, tell me
what Is wrong
Then this great fellow was baby
enough to break down and begin to
sob--Seatlng himself on the roadside
bank. The great tears trickled down
and fell upon the silent earth.
The little woman waited until tue
sobs were done only smoothed the
dropping head - waited for him to
speak.
Oh, Madez," said he at last, Z" |
ought not to be so childish, but Made2,
Ill tell you at once, and then you will
not wonder. have no money! have
eaten nothing these two days, and
know not what l shall do or where |
shall lind bread.
% Ie that all, Ivan, my boy }" said
he.
IAN - he cried els il not
enough4"
Ii might he worse, she answered,
smiling, and babe him come home with
her, aud she would give him a plan she
had. 1t was soon told The had
enough so they could manage it, if he
would help he could teach 10 make
mp what was wanted He should have
half her bread, land, she cried,
cheerlully " we shall come out all
right after ALL
AZ FIRST he hesitated, il was SO much
for her 10 do. She would not hear 90
him and SO n WAS decided. An old
shawl soon divided the room in two
parts, half the bedding was transferred
to one corner on the floor for him.
They were delighted with their arrange.
ments. In the course of week some
pupils were found for him, aud the
two sat. cay as kings, over their crust
and studies. He an gratitude, she IA.
dinnt in doing good. How hard they
studied. How much they did. They
really laughed over their depnyations.
She was growing proud OF this new
brother of hers. aud he felt that this
poor. plain, little older sister must
have something in common with the
best angels up there.
Some months passed, when one morn.
lug the landlady, with a very solemn
face, stopped Madez as she was goiug
out 70 classes. and desired 10 speak
with her. With wriuously severe
face che asked Madez ii she wits mar.
ried
"Oh. dear. no replied Mades limo
Gently.
No b" cried the old woman. mo
Then who is the man you live with up
stairs
Poor, startled Mndez explained (;
told their simple story from beginning
to end. Was II any harm OH
how seandali5od that ancient lady
was