Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-07-15

ghost; so we are appealed to in an en-
Urgency. More than once | have been
asked to take her into custody, but the
squire's lady pities her as much as I do,
and we get out of the warrant between
US. Custody means an asylum, where
she would soon die.
$50 much the BETTER" growled the
captain.
mo, sir. Let her live out her poor
life, as the ours do, in her native air.
One Sunday she went to church, and
the wise sexton put her out. Had he
let her alone she would have sat quietly
through the service, as she did when
young; but as it was, she broke the win
dows. The police were sent for, but
happily she was missing. Still am
her bugbear; for whenever she is
troublesome, they say to her, Take
you care, Matty, there's Mr.. Superin-
tendent Pryse; and although she does
not always recognize me, She, like the
| children, God bless 'em, have a needless
dread of me. But tell them it is our
duty to see that men and women keep
the peace, not idiots, babes and ghosts.
To see this quiet little nook one can
scarcely believe in its evil reputation.
The peasants cannot be got to pass it at
night; but when compelled, betake
themselves to curious expedients. A
charwOman who was engaged to do Il
days washing at the parsonage made
an original one. Having been obliged
to so by the chapel before daylight on
a winters morning she was asked how
she managed. 4 took an umbrella
with me, opened it, and held it between
me and the churchyard, then stuck it
in the hedge till came back she an
swered proudly. Perhaps, captain, if
you had your umbrella up you wouldn't
have tainted"
This cruel cut was not necessary, for
the captain had been watching Mad
Matty and listening to her story until
he was ashamed of himself.
''To have tainted at sight of that de-
mented creature" he reflected, while
the superintendent continued, and Matty
danced up to them, the ribbon twisted
in her hair, the sweetmeats devoured
piece of wall-fOwer in her hand.
''YOu see what kindness does. She
would never fear me, and | shall have
influence over her if the idiots would
let US alone"
II will give her half crown" said
the captain, putting his hand into his
pocket.
"She will only throw away. She no
longer understands the value of money.
Color and sweetness are all she cares for
now; and she even ripped to pieces and
scattered bed that some charitable per-
son had placed in her she'd"
The captain drew forth magnificent
colored handkerchief, which attracted
Matty's attention. He rose and present
ed it to her with Il bow. She received
it with Il courtesy which she might
have practised for 4 presentation at
court, it was so low and sweeping. The
superintendent was Il reader Of old
books when he had time, thought of
Steme's MARIA" and how she had
treasured his handkerchief and dried
the tears it had wiped in her bosom.
''Matty does not know the relief of
tears" he said half aloud. ''Her wild
eyes are dry Still, as Maria said to
Sterne. God tempers the winds to the
shorn lamb She is happy in your
handkerchief, Glyn.'
God help her" said the kind hearted
Captain, turning away to hide a tear.
Il wish with all my soul she were only
a ghost after ALL"
She was happy, and so we will leave
her, with Il prayer that God will con-
tinue to temper the Winds to the
lambs forsaken by all save Him,