Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-11-17
THE JUDGES SURPRISE.

The day was bitterly cold in Virginia
City, rs winter days most generally
are in that Alpine town, and though the
sun was bright, It's rays were as cheer
less and chill almost as moonbeams.
Wild gusts whistled through the streets,
breathing icicIes and frost in their furi-
Gus course and driving every living
thing away to seek shelter from its bit
ing, penetrating breath And yet not
every one was housed and sheltered
from the pitiless gale for he who had
work to do or business to transact was
summoned by memorable duty to come
forth TO his post, or else, when the day
of reckoning came, abide by the con
sequences. OF these luckless excep-
tons, Abe Denning the baker was one.
In sunshine or storm, hail, rain or
snow, people must eat; eat, in fact, all
the more vOraciously because it did
hail or snow, as If to penetrate an I'M
seasOnable joke upon the baker, who,
especially in appetizing weather, must
see to it that his customers larders be
pr0porl stored with the rarest and best
productions of his oven.
Even such cold weather as this did
not deter Mr.. Denning from attending
to the wants of his customers with the
assiduity and attention characteristic
OF his class. While disappearing into
Il customers house with an armful Of
bread, girl fifteen years of age
emerged from 4 miners cabin close by,
and first casting wild and hurried
chances around her, rushed to the
bakers cart, and had just distracted
therefrom three lOaves Of bread, and
was carrying them off, when the baker
returned and caught her in the act.
Unfortunately an officer was passing
Just at the time, and the baker on the
spur of the moment, and without Civ
ing the case that consideration which
he otherwise might, gave her IN costo-
dy on charge of theft. The girl with
out any attempt st expostulation or
explanation, burst into an agony of
tears-a sufficient evidence, after ALL.
in the art of stealing
Oh! she exclaimed, Don't take me in
this way. Let me wrap shawl around
my head, or the people will know me.
The officer conserving drew her into
the cabin, while the baker drove away.
telling the policeman that ne would be
IN court next day to prefer the charge
before the police judge.
The officer, on entering found no one
in the cabin but three chiIdren-the
youngest about three years old and the
eldest six. The hut was cold and
cherries; there was no fire. The two
elder children, alarmed at the presence
Of the officer, exhibited discolored eyes
and faces which bore evidence Of stuff
cring and recent tears; while Willie.
the youngest, was crying and inap-
peasable, Inoping aimle8sly around the
cabin, looking into the empty closet.
and putting his little hands mechani-
cally IN the empty dishes on the table.
What made you steal the bread. my
girl? asked the officer At mention of
the word bread, little Willie looked
tearfully and piteously III the mans
face. The girl nugged the little fellow
frantically in her arms, covering him
with tears and kisses
Oh, my poor little brother! she cried
bitterly. What will become of YOU
now? the man is going to take your
Lena away with him!
Here the child threw his arms
around her neck, as if to detain her
by force; while the other two children
screamed piteously.
The officer, suspecting the actual
state Of affairs began to investigate
Is there no coal, or nothing to eat
ut all in the house? said he.
No coal, 40 bread, nothing at all to
eat! cried the girl, wringing her hands;
and poor Willie and the rest Of us have
had nothing to eat since yesterday
morning.
Here the officer went away saying
that he would be back again in short
time.
Has the man gone for bread? asked
the Oldest of the children.
Hush, MolHe dear! said Lena. I
don't know what ne has gone for. He
is not bad man, anyhow, for he
hasn't arrested me, as | thought he
would.
In very few minutes the officer re
turned with some bread and groceries,
not forgetting some cakes and condi-
mcnts for the smallest children; while
other man at his heels carried q 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 a large fire in
the stove, the glow of which soon dit
fused warmth and comfort through
the cabin. Then they cooked the
meat ana made tea, and spread q
steaming meal upon the table for the
four orphans, while they carved and
attended to their wants till they were
fully satisfied.
Happy, happy childhood, whose pre-
Ogatives are innocence, mirth and ioyl
The children. after their dinner, didn't
look like the same children at all.
Their faces were bright and JOYOUS.
happy and handsome; and in a few
minutes they were playing, and laugh.
ing, and romping, as happy as if they
nad never felt the pangs of hunger.
And now, said the officer, delighted
to see the children so happy, sit down
Lena and answer nfe few questions.
Have you no father or mother?
We have no mother, was Lena's re-
ply. She died about a year ago, and
father went away te Eureka, to work.
about eight months ago, and we amt
seen him ever since.
What is your fathers name?
DawsOn-Jim Dawson.
And he has sent you no money
nothing?
Nothing. Never heard of him since