The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-11-18
benevolent, and if fault he had at all, it

was thought to be somewhat uncom
promising rigor in the discharge of nj
official duties. It was hard to say how
the case would go. After the transaction
of some preliminary business, the case
was called. The baker swore to the steal
| ing of the bread and identified the de
fendant as the thief. The officer testified
as to the furnishing condition in which
be found the children, but said not
syllable about what he had done to re
| lieve them. Poor Lena stood trembling
before the Judge. Thereupon mine
rustled through the crowd and stood be
fore the bench, eyeing the judge with
deprecating look. II declare to the
Almighty, jedge," said he, II Aevel
knowed the state of Jim Dawson's chill
dren. and if I did" he dropped &
twenty into Lena's 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 In
dignant al. that flung back any latent
suspicion that he knew anything of the
children's distress any more than any
body. else. i,
Here Long Alec, a miner--so called
on account Of his height and size-siid
timidly and bashfully up to Lena's side;
"Leeny," he said in halfwhisper, "hold
yer pinafore," he slipped two twenties
into her apron, and then slid back be,
hind the crowd into corner, and hold.
ing his hat to his face, glanced timidly
around, to see that he 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 talk
ed loud to make believe that he was not
bashful at all.
"Jedge," said Wabbling Joe, laughing
and nodding familiarly at the court to
disarm that functionary Of possible rigor
in the trial of the case in hand-'jedge,
let the girl slide. She amt done nothing
but what you or I would do if we was
hungry !" And poor Lena was once
more the recipient ofanother present. !.
The court held down his head and
smiled gravely at Wabbliug Joe's defense
of the accused; but Immediately recov-
ering 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, Wabbling Joe"-here good.
-natured laugh escaped the whole crowd,
as if to put the judge in good humor-
"but," continued his honor, whatever
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 little girl!
asked the court.
"They call me Lena Dawson, sir" was
the reply.
"Cail you Lena Dawson! And I sup.
pose Lena Dawson is your name, is it
not ?" observed the judge.
"No, sir, it ain't," returned the girl.
ssMy father died when I was only three
years old, and my mother got married to
Mr.. Dawson some time afterward. My
proper name il Madeline Winters, but
they call me Lena, for short"
"Madeline Winters! Where were you
born 2" asked the Judge.
"In Kansas City," was the reply.
"In Kansas Cityp echoed the court, in
a voice of still deeper gravity than before.
"And what was you mothers maiden
name, do you know ?"
Madeline Moses, sir" responded Le-
ma.
"Madeline Moses! My God!-my
God ! She was my sister ="
And Judge Moses, overcome with
emotion, bowed his head on the desk
while torrent Of tears flowed down his
face.
Just as the crowd, in obedience to the
dictates of delicacy, were emerging from
the police court, to let uncle and neice
indulge the sacred joy of mutual recog-
milton, Jim Dawson appeared at the door
having Just returned from his prospec-
ting tour in Eureka, and, with an innate
sense of propriety that did honor to his
acquaintances, who were rejoiced to see
him, was quietly permitted to join his
relatives inside.--,San Francisco Argon-
aut.