Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-12-19
MARRYING FOR HATE.

| was making my way through a
crowd in by-street, which / supposed
had collected for the contemplation and
enjoyment of some trhing and con-
temptible disturbance, but into which
ut the time | was not in the mood to
inquire, when my course was arrested
by pair of beautiful large black eyes
under a lady's veil, which met mine
with a mute appeal that could not for
a moment, resist.
"What is the NATTER" l demanded
1T once Of the possessor of the bright
black eyes.
A remarkably sweet voice replied:
IL have yentured to interfere in be-
half of a child | saw the people abusing,
and / fear that, without some assistance,
my efforts will be unavailing"
owe wasn't abusing it." cried several
rough voices together. "She was only
fighting with little Mike, and she'd got
the best of him. too, if ye'd let her
alone"
at is quite enough" said the lady
with spirit, her splendid e1es flashing as
she spoke, chat your sex should dis
grace itself in this way. shall not al
low mine, especially such little crea-
ture as this, to make a savage brute of
itself; not if l can help it"
"You are right, madam" [ said.
"The man who would see your sex
dragged into the prize-ring must have
little respect for his own mother. You
are QulxOtlc, however, to assume the
Inf1nc Of fhJu al,i1JjC
Where are its parents.
Dead, " cried three other little chill
dren in chorus.
"Where-how does this little girl live,
then!"
"She lives with Miss Fanny Flint, and
does errands for her"
What sort Of person is she?" in
CURED the dark-eyed lady.
She dresses finer than you do
ma'am," replied one of the female by.
ISLANDERS, "but she is not exactly the
person to bring up child III the way i
should go, as she has strayed long way
out herself"
The pointed truthfulness of this re
mark raised a laugh among the &c
ouaintances of Miss Fanny Flint.
The lady, in the meantime, had no
let go her hold on halfclad, sturdy
little girl, whose face was flushed with
passion and discolored with blood, dir
and tears. She stopped down to hel
now, raising her veil, and said:
Little one, if you will go with me
will find you good home. You shall
have nice clothes, enough to eat, and be
taught to read and write. What do yoU
sayY"
The sweetness and beauty ofthe lady:
face surprised me; the child seemed
quite Overpowered by her gentle influ
ence, and reply:
eyes, ma'am, will go with you any
where"
At this copjuncture a policeman ar
rived on the spot, and the lady at once
addressed herself to him, explaining
the case, and shortly afterwards she
walked away. leading her little charge
escorted by a guardian of the peace
Although much pressed for time | lin
gered to look after her until she turnct
the corner, for never had seen face
that seemed half SO lovely as hers, anC
it haunted me ever after.
| had, however, at the time, too many
troubles of my own to afford time tC
look after those of others. A very Ions
and most expensive lawsuit had ex
hausted the once handsome fortune
that had long kept my family in so en-
viable position, and left nothing out fai
lacious hope and Elusive expectations
My father had died during theslow pro
gress of the litigation; the lawyer, who
had commenced and so long conducted
1t, also deceased before its conclusion
was reached, and it appeared too prob
able that my mother, too, would pass
away without the satisfaction of know.
ing that so much money, thought, anx
iety and suspense had not been entirely
thrown away. She was very i'll, and
foresaw with certainty that the slender
thread which held her to this life woulC
snap, if the final decision in our case,
which it was believed would soon be
rendered, should be against US; for il
would neceSsitate the sale of all that re-
manned to us, and leave us little better
than beggars. 1t was our last stake
upon which all our hopes and conf
dence had gradually concentrated, anC
if that were lost we had nothing more
to lose-nothing but blank despair t.
encounter, which we burst not antici
pate.
The lawyer who, at this time, con
Quoted our suit, was an old friend of my
fathers, successful, rich, independent
and surly; and, as he had taken tn,
case more from friendly than pecuniar,
motives, did not attempt to disguise thu
truth and probabilities from me; but
could not. would not, look forward Il
anything but triumph, and chose rattle
to regard his discouraging tone as on
of the means he employed to enhanc,
the value of his service in achievin:
success. He was a good man at heart
that old lawyer, and his penetration
was wonderful; but he was not apt tt
spoil his medicine by oversweetenin!
it, and my pampered palate rebellet
not little against its disgusting bu
wholesome bitterness.
| hada long hunt after an importan
female witness, whom found at last il
q garnet, dying Of consumption. An,
whom should find, sitting like a min
istering angel at her bedside, but tn
beautiful black-eyed lady whom ha,
recently met, the champion of the httl
abandoned orphan girl.
I" 1t is in such MA ceS as this where