Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-03-18

1t was one rainy afternoon that the
! first misfortune befell US. After that
every misery imaginable trod on our
heels. a
My poor sister and / cared not a peg
for the rain, for we had not the remotest
idea OF walking out in it, and we came
gayly down the long flight of stairs,
Jumping from one step to another in our
happy, careless fashion
We ran into the library, where we be-
gan game with favorite companion
of ours in our sports. Rubber Ball was
his name-a lively fellow, with varie-
gated complexion and buoyant air and
manner. His elastic temperament en-
abled him to recover from the dreadful
disaster that, alas! so completely ruined
my sister and l.
1t happened in this way: Rubber Ball
suddenly bounced up, in his light, funny
way, my sister and | ran after him, and
Elsie caught him in her hands. Then he
would spring away again; sometimes to
be caught again, but sometimes he would
get away, and roguishly hide under a
sofa or chair.
What possessed him to commit the act
that caused all our sad trouble | cannot
tell; for, though he was apt to bound
about in the widest way, he was soft
hearted fellow, and had never been
known to injure anyone.
But in the excitement of the game, per
haps, Rubber Ball went farther than he
really meant to. At any rate, he bound
ed through an open window, straight
across the verandah, right into the wet
grass.
ooh, my poor ball! It's gettin' all
wettedr' sobbed Elsie, and my sister and
were compelled to go with her, as she,
too, went through the open window,
down the wet steps, into the grass,
where we were completely soaked
through and through in an instant.
Elsie was espied from another window
the nurse ran out and carried her into
the house, through the basement door
My poor sister and presented for
lOrn appearance when we were torn from
Elsie's feet and thrown in heap on the
cold, hard floor.
At first we could only cling to each
other in dismay at our sad plight.
But presently we tried to look at the
case more hopefully, and we trusted that
the house-maid would kindly wipe us dry,
and we would forget our woes hung away
in our dear, blue bag.
Sorrowful to relate, however, we were
leftto get dry ourselves as bestwe could
And then-yes, indeed, it was then
were our worst fears verified!
Shrunken, distorted, wrinkled, dis
colored-our beauty had vanished like a
dream!
We had scarcely begun to realize our
wretched condition when we were sud-
denly seized on by the house-maid with
"Arrah, me spolt beautiesl but yees'll
do jist for puir Irish body that's beg
GIN the loikes at the durer'
Sure enoughl At the door stood mis-
erable-looking woman who clutched us
eagerly and thrust us under her shawl.
"May the blessing of Hiven hayward
yeesw she said, and grasping us as if she
had found great treasure, she made her
way along the streets.
After tramping for long distance she
began to climb what seemed to be an in
terminabIe flight of stairs.
The stairs proved to have an end at
last, and she entered a bare, desolate-
looking room, crying out:
Come, Biddy, me darlint and say
the ill1gant yollah shoes I've bringed ye!
Come"
A barefooted child that had been
crouching by the window came forward,
and the woman took her on her knee to
put US on her feet.
We shrank from this, my poor sister
and /, who had always lived in the midst
of luxury and refinement; and when my
poor sister was subjected TO the ordeal
of going over Biddy's bare toes she re-
sisted with all her strength.
The mother tugged with might and
main till, with cry of distress, my sister
was almost forced to give way.
At this she threw us both violently on
the floor, saying, angrily, It's ripped
in the sames, it is! an bad luck to thin
as didn't give dacint pair to fit yees"
"See here!" said surly- looking man,
entering the room, "Pve orders to turn
you and your traps out if you haven't
the rent ready this time"
The poor Irish woman began to groan
and to cry, and on her knees begged to
stay one day, one night, longer.
But prayers and tears were of no avail
The cross man was memorable and thrust
US all together down the broken stairs.
My sister was accidentally kicked into
the street, where a cart-wheel passed
over her; her soul parted from her Jody,
and so her existence terminated.
AS for myself, fell in the gutter,
where / lie in the dirt, exposed to the
scorching sun, the wind and pelting rain,
torn and utterly down trodden.
Alas that my last days were but my