The Worthington advance., 1880-10-07
he'd be sure and be back before the pro-

he'd be sure and be back before the pro.
visions were all OUT"
"And you got no letter form him ut alls'
"Not one" :" replied Lena with a deer
sigh. -t<9.
Poor Dawson had written to his chill.
dren, however, but, postal communlca-
ton being at that time very irregular
and uncertain in the Silver State, the
children did not receive his letters:
"Well, I must 60 now," said the officer,
after a pause, "but will call for you to
morrow, and you'll have to accompany
me to the police office, for I must do my
duty, you know. Good-by."
And Lena Dawson was left alone with
her little brothers and sisters. She felt
sad and lonesome after the departure of
ner kind bcnefactor, but the buoyancy
of childhood soon gained the ascendancy,
and before bedtime 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 condi.
tion 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
elected so many "reminiscences and com.
mentaries. that quite crowd was attrac
ed next day to the police court.
Judge Moses presided. The judge bore
the name Of being upright and honest
kind and benevolent, and if fault he ha d
at all, it was thought to be a somewha,
uncompromlsing rigor in the discharge
of his official duties. It was hard tc
say how the case would 60.
After the transaction of some prelim.
mary business, the case was called. The
baker swore to the stealing of the bread
and identified the defendant as the thief
The officer testified to the famishing con
dition in which he found the children
but said not word about what he ha6
done to relieve them.
Poor Lena stood trembling before the
Judge; thereupon miner rustlcd through
the crowd and stood before the bench
eyeing the judge with deprecatingtook
II declare to the Almighty, Jcdge,
said he, II never knowed the state OF
Jim Dawsou's children, and If did
He dropped twenty INTO Lena trem
bling hand.
You jest knowed as much about it a!
other folks" exclaimed another miner
excltedly, walking up and putting anoth
er twenty into the girls hand with al in
dignant air t1at flung back any latent
suspicion that he knew any thing of the
children's distress any more than any
body else.
Here Long Alec, mlner-so called or
account OF his height and size-slid tim
idly and tashfully up 10 Lena's side
"Leeny," he said, IN half whisper
'hold yer pinafore," and he slipped two
t~entles into her apron, and then slid
back behind the crowd into a corner
and, holding his hat to his face, glanced
timidly around, to see that he was com.
pletely out Of sight.
Then came Wabbling Joe, who was
far more bashtul than Long Alec, but pu,
on bold face, and laughed aud talked
loud to lake believe he waa not bashtul
at all.
"Jedge,' said Wabbling Joe, laughing
and nodding tamiliarly to the court, to
disarm that tunctionary of possible rigor
in the trial OF the case on hand-"Jedge,
let the gal slide. She haln't done nothin'
but what you or me would do il we wus
hungry"
And poor Lena was the recipient of an
other present.
The court held down his head and then
smiled gravely at Wabbling Joe's defence
OF the accused: but Immediately recover
ing his gravity, said:
''Gentlemen, appreciate your liberal
ity and generous sympathy for the young
offender, and am particularly impressed
with the ingenious defence made by my
friend, Wabbllng Joe''- this point a
good natured laugh escaped the whole
crowd, as if to put the Judge in good hui
mor,-'but,' continued his Honor, what
ever might be the sympathy of the court
for the sad condition OF the accused, there
is public duty to be performed, and the
case must therefore proceed.
''What IS your name, my girl;" asked
the court.
"They cali me Lena Dawson, sir" was
the reply.
"Call you Lena Dawson! Aud l sup
pose Lena Dowson is your name, is II
not2" observed the Judge.
mo sir it ain't," returned the girl.
MY father died when I was only three
years old, and my mother got married
to MIR. Dawson sometime aftcrward. My
proper name is Madeline Winters, but
they call nae Lena, for short"
"Madeline Winters2 Where were you
born2" asked the Judge.
"1n Kansas City, sir" was the reply.
"1n Kansas Cityl'' echoed the court,
IN voice of still deeper gravity than be-
fore. Sand what was your mothers >
maiden name. do you know?''
'Madeline Moses, s1r," responded Le-
ma.
"Madeline Moses! My God! She was
my sister!''
And Judge Moses, overcome with emo.
ion, bow ed his head on the desk, while
q torrent of tears flowed down his face.
Just as the crowd, in obedience to the
dictates OF dellcacy, were emerging from
the police court, to let uncle and niece
indulge the sacred joy of mutual recog-
milton, Jim Dawson appeared at the door,
having just returned from his prospect
ing tour in Eureka, and with an innate
sense OF propriety that did honor to his
acquaintance, who we're all rejoiced to
see him, was quietly permitted to join
his relatives inside. San Frgncisco A.
Q0naut..
UNCLE JEREMY'S DEVOTIONS.
Uncle Jeremy was a devotional man.
He was at home in secret and in public
prayer and praise, and in family worship
he was, I believe, considered, an exam.
pie, at least by the brothers and sisters
Of Jonesbury church, of which he was
deacon; for often heard from this one
or that one of the elect who accepted his
hospitality, which was as free as his own
great heart, what gift he has at prayer!'
or, ibid YOU ever hear the like2 II fair.