Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-11-11

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police court. Judge Moses presided.
The judge bore the name of being up
right and honest, kind and benevolent
and if fault he had at all, it was though.
to be a somewhat uncompromising
rigor in the discharge of his official du-
ties. 1t 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
stealing of the bread, and identified
the defendant as the thief. The Off
Ger testified to the furnishing condition
in which ne found the children, but
said not syllable about what he had
done to relieve them. Poor Lena
stood trembling before the Judge.
Thereupon miner rustled through the
crowd and stood before the bench eye
ing the Judge with depreciating look.
/ declare to the Almighty, ledge, said
he, never knowed the state of Jim
Dawson's children, and if 1 did, he
dropped twenty into Lena's tremb-
ling hands.
You Jest knowed as much about it
as other folks, exclaimed another min
er, excitedly, walking up and putting
another twenty into the girls hand
with an indignant air that flung back
| any latent suspicion that he knew any
thing Of the childrens' distress any
more than anybody else.
Here Long Alec, a miner--so called
on account of his height and size-slid
timidly and bashfully up to Lena's side.
Leeny, ne said in half whisper, hold
yer pinafore, and ne slipped two TWEEN
ties into her apron, and then slipped
| back behind the crowd into 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 bashful than even Long Alec.
but he put on bold face, and laughed
and talked loud to make believe he was
not bashful at ALL
Jedge, said Wabbling Joe, Taught ng
and nodding Familiarity 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 | would have
done if we were hungry! And poor
Lena was once more the recipient OF
another present.
The court held down his head and
smiled gravely at Wabbling Joe's de-
fence Of his accused; but Immediately
recovering the gravity, he 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 d
the court for the sad condition Of the
accused, there is a public duty TO be
performed, and the case must therefore
proceed.
What il your name, my girl, asked
the court.
They call me Lena Dawson, sir, was
the reply
Call you Lena Dawson And | sup
pose Lena Dawson is your name is i
not? observed the judge.
No sir, it amt, observed the girl
My father died when / was only three
years old, aud my mother got married
to Mr.. Dawson some time afterWard
My proper name is Madeline Winters
but they call me Lena for short.
Madeline Winters! Where were you
born2 asked the judge.
In Kansas City, sir, was the reply.
In Kansas City! echoed the court. il
voice of still deeper gravity than be
fore. And what was your mother,
maiden name, do you know?
Madeline Moses, sir, responded lie
ma.
Madeline Moses! Ny God my
God she WIS my sister
And Judge Moses overcome witt
emotion, bowed his head on the desk
while torrent Of tears flowed dowr
his face.
Just as the crowd, in obedience to tn,
dictates of deiicacy, were emergin,
from the police court to let uncle anC
neice indulge in the sacred JOY Of re
cognition, Jim Dawson appeared a
the door, having just returned from
his prospecting tour in Eureka, anC
with an innate sense Of propriety tina
did honor to his acquaintance, who
were all rejoiced to see him, wa,
quietly permitted to join his relative.
| inside.