The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1880-01-12
"You-iest knowcd as much about it

"Youjest knowcd as much about it
as other folks" exclaimed another
miner, cxcitedly walking up and put
ting another twenty into the girls
hand with an indignant air that flung
back any latent suspicion that be
knew anything Of the childreu's dis
tress any moro than anybody else.
Here Long Alec, g miner-so call
cd on account of bis height and size
slid timialy and bashfully mp to
Lena's side. "Leeny," he said in q
half whisper, "bold yer pinafore," he
slipped two twcuties into her apron,
and then slid behind the crowd into
a corner, and holding his hut to his
face, glanced timidly around, to see
that Ire was completely out Of sight.
Then came Wabbling Joe, who was
far more bashful; than wen Long
Alec, but put on a bold face, and
laughed and talked loud to make be-
Iiovc that he was not bashful at all.
"Jedge," said Wabbling Joe, laugh.
ing and nodding Familiarity at the
court to disarm that functionary of
possible rigor in the trial of the case
in Land-'jsdge, let the girl slide.
She amt done nothing but what you
or l would DO if we was hungry"
Aud poor Lena was. once more the
recipient of another :present.
The court held down his head and
smiled gravely:at Wabbling Joe's de-
feIse of the accused; but Immediately
recovering his gravity, said:
"Gentlemen, I appreciate your lib
crafty aud generous sympathy for
the young offender, and I am partic
uIarly impressed with the ingenious
defence made by my friend, Wabbling
Joe"-here a good-natured laugh es-
capped tho whole crowd, as if to put
the Judge in good humor-'but" con-
liuued his honor, whatever might
be the sympathy of the court for the
sud condition of the accused, there is
a public duty to be performed, and
the case must therefore proceed"
"Wkat is your name, my little
girl?' asked the court.
"They call me Lena Dawson, sir"
was the reply.
Call you Lena Dawson! And l
suppose Lena Dawson is your name,
is it not?" observed the Judge.
"No, sir, it ANT" returned the girl.
My father died when I WAS only
three years old, and my mother got
married to Mr.. Dawson some time
aftcrward. My proper name is Mad
cline Winters, but they call me Lena,
for short"
Madeline Winters! Where were
you born?" asked the Judge.
"In Kansas City," was the reply.
"In Kansas City!" echoed the
court, in a voice OF still deeper gray
ity than before. "And what was your
mothers maiden name, do you know"
Madeline Moses, sir" responded
Lena.
"Madelinc Moses! Ny God! My
God! She was my sister!"
Aud Judge Moses, overcome with
emotion, bowed his head on the desk
while n torrent OF tears flowed down
his face.
Just rs the crowd, in obedience to
tie dictates of delicacy, were emory
ing from the police court, to let uncle
and niece indulge the sacred Joy OF
mutual recognition, Jim Dawson ap-
pearcd at the door having just re-
turned from his prospecting tour III
Eureka, and, with an innate sense Of
propriety that did honor to his &C
o~uaintanccs, who were rejoiced to SEQ
him, was quietly permitted to join his
relatives inside.-San Francisco cir
gonaut.
The tax levy for Darlington County
for the past year is twelve mills.
Tho probabilities are that South
Carolina will get . sixth Congress-
man.
Buildings are going up rapidly at
Orangcburg, and everything seems