Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1880-10-23

Hush, Mollie. dear!" said Lena.
Il don't know what he is gone for.
He's not bad man, anyhow, for he
hasn't arrested me, as l thought he
would"
In very few minutes the officer re-
turned, with bread and groceries, not
forgetting some cakes and condiments
for the smallest children; while am
other man at his heels carried big sack
of coal on his back.
At sight of the bread the children
screamed with delight, and while Lena
cut up large slices of bread, and helped
the children and herself, the two men
set to work and made large fire in the
stove, the glow of which soon diffused
warmth and comfort through the cabin.
Then they cooked the meat, and made
tea, and spread a steaming meal on the
table for the four orphans, while they
carved and attended to their wants till
they were fully satisfied
Happy, happy childhood, whose pre-
negatives are innocence. mirth and joy!
The children, after their dinner, didn't
look like the same children ut all. Their
faces were bright and joyous, happy and
handsome; and in few minutes they
were playing and laughing and romp-
ing, as happy as if they had never felt
the pangs of hunger.
"And now," said the officer, delighted
at seeing the children so happy, sit
down, Lena, and answer me few ques-
tions. Have you no father or mother"
1--WE have no MOTHER" was Lena's
reply. "She died about year ago,
and father went away to Eureka, to
work, about eight months ago, and we
hai1't seen him ever since"
What is your fathers namep"
"Dawson-Jim Dawson"
''And he has sent you no money
nothingP"
Nothing. Never heard OF him since
he went away. But when he was going
he left us bag OF flour, and lots of gro
ceries and things as much as would
last us for six months; and he'd be
sure and be back before the provisions
were all out"
And you got no letter from him
at ALP"
mot one," replied Lena. with deep
sigh.
Poor Dawson had written to his chill
dren, however, but, postal communica-
tion being at that time very irregular
and uncertain in the Silver State, the
children did not receive his letters.
well, / must go now," said the off.
Ger, after pause, "but will call for
you tomorrow, and you'll have to
accompany me to the police office, for 1
must do my duty, you know. Good
bye" And Lena Dawson was left
alone with her little brothers and sis
ters. She felt sad and lonesome after
the departure of her kind benefactor,
but the buoyancy OF childhood soon
gained the ascendancy, and before bed
time The orphans were as happy as any
group of little children in Virginia
City.
Meantime, the report about the steal.
ing of the bread and the destitute con-
dltion of the children got abroad. Jim
Dawson, q miner himself, was well.
known'and popular among the miners,
and the case created such sympathy. and
elicted so many "reminiscences and com.
mentaries. that quite a crowd was at
tfacted next day to the police court.
Judge Moses presided. The Judge bore
the name of beirg an upright and
honest, kind and benevolent, and if
fault he had at all, it was thought to be
q somewhat uncompromising rigor in
the discharge of his official duties. 1t
was hard to say how the case would go.
After the transaction of some prelimin-
airy business, the case was called. The
baker swore to the stealing Of the bread,
and identified the defendant rs the
thief. The officer testified to the fam
ishing condition in which he found the
children, but said not a syllable about
what he had done to relieve them.
Poor Lena stood trembling before the
judge. Thereupon q miner rustled
through the crowd and stood before the
bench, cycling the judge with depreca-
ting look. "Ideclare to the Almighty,
jedge," said he, Il never knowed the
state of Jim Dawson's children, and if
I did" he dropped twenty into
Lenas trembling hand.
You jest knowed as much about it
as other folks" exclaimed another
miner, excitedly,walking up and putting
another twenty into the girls hand
with an indignant air thst flung back
any latent suspicion that he knew any
thing of the children's distress any
more than anybody else.
Here Long Alec, miaer-so called
on account of his height and size-slid
timidly and bashtully up to Lena's side
Leeny," he said, in a half whisper,
"hold yer pinafore," and he slipped
two twenties into her apron, ami then
slid back behind the crowd into II cor
ner, and, holding his hat TO his face,
glanced timidly around, to see that ne
was completely out of sight.
Then came Wabbling Joe, who was
far more bashful than even Long Alec,
but put on bold face, and laughed and
talked loud to make believe that he was
not bashful at oil.
"Jedge," said Wabbling Joe, laugh
ing and nodding Familiarity at the court
to disarm that functionary of possible