Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-12-23
JANE FAIRBANKS HEROISM.


Last Christmas Eve l sat in the little
Parnassus Theater with a sense of con-
scious virtue pervading every fiber of my
being because | was there with Paul
LenoX, dramatic critic, listening to an in
tensely classical tragedy, instead of at the
Temple, where | secretly longed to be,
and gazing at scventy-five scantily -robed
fairies, singing out of tune and standing
on one foot in perfect unison. yawneG
for the sixty-third time during the wait
between the fourth ard fifth acts and won
dered what kept Lefox awake, when |
was startled by deep sigh from that
usually quiet person.
Shes very lovely" said he, dropping
his opera glass and turning away his eyes
from a lady in private box, at whom he
had been attentively staring. :" ! wonder
if she remembers where she was Christ
mas Eve, seven years age?'
Where was sheg" | asked, but Just
then the prompter's bell rung, and Lenox
knit his critical brows and became strictly
attentive to the exits and entrances, the in
Elections and gestures of the minor actors,
who were TO the best Of their ability be-
Jogging the luster of the " stars" genius
by a cloud of piteous blunders. Not be-
ing critic myself, and not having any re-
sponsibility in regard to the formation of
public opinion, | entirely neglected the
play, and devoted myself to gazing as
siduously at the lady who had effected the
miracle Of enchanting the attention of
communicating Paul Lenox, and of forcing
a complimentary adjective from lips little
used to praise the fair sex. She was, as
he had said, lovely, and looking at the
clear cut, handsome face, and remember
ing Lenox's last words, | tried to find in
its lines some suggestion that would re-
veal to me the mystery concealed in his
last words. Where had she spent Christ
mas Eve, seven years ago? | queried,
mentally; but neither the proud, sensitive
mouth nor the frank, fearless eyes told
any tales. l whispered the question TO
Lenox receiving only savage look for
my pains, and | renewed my questioning
gaze, continuing it until the green curtain
descended, when | attacked him with
eager questions on TIE subject.
If you want me to tell you anything"
said he, shortly, "come back TO the Office
and wait till I've written up this thing,
then III talk; now want to think"
SO | went down to the Office of the
Trumpet, and sat in an atmosphere of
cigar and pipe smoke and listened to an
immense amount of editorial cynicism on
every subject in the universe, curiously
at variance with the enthusiastic leaders
IN process Of evolution, and then found
myself walking uptown with Lenox and
hearing the story of Jane Fairbanks
Christmas Eve adventure.
The night before Christmas CT 1867,
SAID Lenox, Jane Fairbanks found herself
in the woods with boy, and, 10 the best
of her knowledge and belief, five miles
from any human habitation. The causes
OF this rather uncomfortable position were
feminine obstinacy and several railroads
Twelve hours before she was at Pine
Grove Academy, safe and happy; but
suddenly inspired with wish to eat her
Christmas dinner at home. she had left
That scholastic retirement and committed
herself, without any escort, 10 the tender
mercles OF the railway system of America
which, she says, consists principally of
branches and functions, and is differed
by tiends who necessarily shrek " Change
cars" AS well rs can be ascertained by
q careful collation. of her account and six
" railway guides" which fatty contradict
each other in every particular she made
only 1--WE mistakes in seven hours travel
ing, which reflects great credit upon her
GOODNESS; but at four O'Clock she found
herself eleven miles from home, standing
on the platform of a lonesome little rail-
way station, and looking at fast-fieeting
express" which she had fondly faneied
was an accommodation, ;" and by means
OF which She had meant to complete her
homeward journey.
don't care" she said, defiantly. to
the stalion-naster, who had kindly, but
ieebly, waved flag in the vain endeayor
70 attract the attention of the conductor of
the express, who. guessing the state OF
Affairs, had made derisive gestures and
refused to pause.