River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-11-17

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, jedge, said
he, | never knowed the state of Jim
Dawson's children, and if / 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, 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 he 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
ledge, 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 a 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 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 it
not? observed the judge.
No sir, it amt, observed the girl.
My father died when l was only three
years old, and 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
born? asked the judge.
In Kansas City, sir, was the reply.
In Kansas City! echoed the court. in
voice of still deeper gravity than be-
fore. And what was your mothers
maiden name, do you know?
Madeline Moses, sir, responded Lee
ma.
Madeline Mosesl My Godl-my
Godl 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 in the sacred joy of re-
cognition, Jim Dawson appeared at
the door, having just returned from
his prospecting tour in Eureka, and
with an innate sense of propriety that
aid honor to his acquaintance, who
were all rejoiced to see him, was
quietly permitted to join his relatives
inside.