River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-05-08

named her Theresa, put Ioddles has
always been her own pet name for her
SET, ana like it because it is hers.
Tie child has brought me peace. And
| feel To vengeance against any one nov.
Nor do rejoice that Richards wife is
said to have turned out i'll, and spent the
wealth she brought him.
But had forgotten the shop in sill
this reyerie aad "Reminiscences.
There was sharp twang of the little
bell, and heard heavy step in the
doorway. / set down my coffse-cup
hastily, and hurried in to confront
reat muscular fellow with big beard
and slouched hat. whose presence
seemed fairly to wipe out the little shop.
This was rather different type from
my usual customers, and was little
shy OF him. He hesitated, and seemed
bewildered when spoke to him-men
never do get used to shopping and i
was some time before quite made olt
what be wanted. 1t was some sort Of
wooden goods--a scarf or a kerchief,
think. These were not very salable stock
Just now, and had put the box contaiu-
ing them out of sight somewhere. While
Iummaged about, the stranger stood ia
| the doorway, watching me in way
did not like; perhaps he wanted 10 steal
something. He looked needy enough,
and SHABBY enough.
"Oh, here they are at last" said !,
eagerly, handing down the package from
high and dusty shelf.
The man did not seem to hear me. lie
was looking at Toddles, darling about
like butterfly outside.
"Whose child is that" said he, alb
ruptly.
1t was an impudent question, and |
felt my blood flush up holly for mo
ment But | reflected that this man
looked wayworn and weary; perhaps be
had come long journey, and left a little
child like this at home.
at is nv child" / said pie asanNy.
Yours he repeated.
"Or at least" said /, ''if not mine, it
was left with me to be cared for"
"Lett with You," echoed the stranger.
"Aye, so have heard, Left with you
by the wretched man, the outeast, the
| to thrust his burden when his tinselea
wife fell from the tight-rope and died
there, groveling in the sawdust--knew
none other of whom to seek the charity
than the woman who had loved him.
! l listened as one stupe6ed with opium.
| What did this man know or guess con
corning me and mine2 What object had
he in view in lingering about the sbopf
But said coolly, "That is a story that
needs to be proved"
The stranger stopped and looked keen.
ly at me. verify said he, with low,
sardonic laugh, "he has reaped his IT,
ward, it seems: he 10 both dead and for
COTTON"
/ began to feel afraid OF this man, w;o
seemed Oent upon insulting or alarming
me.
l pointed sternly at the door. "Sir
said l, ''if you are satisfied with the goods
l beg you will take them away. / have
other things to attend to-"
For a moment after the great hulkirg
figure disappeared through the doorway
of my little shop covered my face with
my hands, and all the past of my life
rushed entirely over me, | had not oUt-
lived il yet, after all.
Suddenly rememb ereI Toodlcs, ard
fastened to the door to look after her.
My customer had Disappeared; the huge
Z
felt relieved for there was my little ore
swinging back and forth with the lolg
pendants of the willow. Only one instaat
saw her in the sunlight-one instant.
Then came rushing, tearing and tramp-
ing, terrible sound in the air and a
great bull. tossing his horns furious. e,
and with ewes glaring madly before him,
came snorting and believing up the
street The great willow was in his
course, and, Oh God my little Tood,esl
Then know not whether | tainted er
whether / screamed for help. | saw a
ia figure leap out from somewhere IN
the very pathway of the mad animal,
| and the next moment Toddles, has {
laughing, half crying, was nesting in my
arms.
The man whom | had sent from ny
door few minutes since stood looking
on us yearningly-the man who had
snatched my darling from its terribie
fate.
"Both dead and forgotten he saiI
"Oh Jeannette Jeannette 40 you not
know me2'
The rainbow ribbons 10 the little shop
window spun dizzily round, and all
RitN Vim OtIbAC III CyNut VI
knew that Richard Gray was come back
to me- Poor and degraded and deserted,
perhaps, be had come back 10 me.
He lifted his hat, snd, STOPPING, kissed
the little one, who did not resist him
II brought you nv motherless little
one years aeone. A beggar and a sinner
though 1 was, dared TO pray your chars
Try to my child, whom its mother flying
from her home would have left 10 perish
among the gewgaws and clowns in whose
company she died. Yea, verify, my pun
ishment has been bitter. And shall
leave you now, Jeanette, you and my
child, and depart forever, hateful in your
eyes for all years TO come--hatefuI when
not forgotteni"
But something filed my heart just
then, like the rush of mighty river. [:
looked back at my quiet life, my
bright little shop, the years Of silence
and of sorrow. | felt Toodles warm
heart beating against mine. He had
saved her. And ] looked at Richard
Gray, and put my hand in his.
Since then have tried what it is to be
a lady in the far West a lady in log
cabin, without China, or calpet. or neck
~ oud D.obord 60 re I borr. esro~,aA