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

Poor Dawson had written to his chill
dren, however, but postal communica-
ton being at that time very irregular
and uncertain in the Silver State, the
children did not receive his letters.
Well, must 90 now, said the officer
after a pause, but will call for you to-
morrow, and you will have to accom-
pany me to the police Office, for must
do my duty, you know, goodbye. And
Lena Dawson was left alone with her
little brothers and sisters. She felt sad
and lonesome after the departure of
her kind benefactor. but the buoyancy
Of the children soon gained the
ascendancy, and before bedtime the
orphans were as happy as any group
of little children in Virginia City.
Meantime the report about the steal
ing Of the bread and the destitute con-
dition of the children got abroad. jim
Dawson, a miner himself, was well
known and popular among the miners,
and the case created much sympathy,
and elected so many "reminiscences
and commentaries that quite large
crowd was attracted next day to the
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 thought
to be a somewhat uncomprOmising
rigOr in the discharge of his official du-
ties. 1t was hard to say how the case
would 60. 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 a miner rustled through the
crowd and stood before the bench eye
ing the Judge with a depreciating look.
| declare to the Almighty, ledge, said
he, never knowed the state of Jim
Dawson's children, and if did, he
dropped a 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, he said in half whisper, hold
yer pinafore, and he slipped two TWEEN
ties into her apron, and then slipped
back behind the crowd into a 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, laughing
and nodding Familiarity at the court to
disarm that functionary of possible
rigor in the trial of the case in hand
ledge, 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 q good natured laugh escaped the
whole crowd, as if to put the Judge in
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.
Cali 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 I was only three
years old, and my mother got married
to Mr.. Dawson some time afterward.
W pIOpGI Idi1G is hdU6II1G w lUl0TS,
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
q voice Of still deeper gravity than be-
fore. And what was your mothers
maiden name, do you know?
Madeline Moses, sir, responded Le-
ma.
Madeline Moses! My God!-my
GOdl she was my sister!
And Judge Moses overcome with
emotion, bowed his head on the desk,
while q 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
did honor to his acquaintance, who
were all rejoiced to see him, was
quietly permitted to join his relatives
inside.
Sowing Wild Oats.