St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1881-02-26

rest of us have had nothing tn eat
since yesterday morning."
Here the officer had another hard
fit of coughing and went away say
ing that he would be back again in
n short time.
rs the man gone for bread?" ask.
ed the oldest of the Children.
Hush, Mollie. dear" said Lena.
i don't know what he is gone tor.
He's not u bad man, anyhow, 70,
he hasn't arrested me, as I thought
he would"
In very few minutes the officer
returned with bis arm full of bread
and groceries, not forgetting some
cakes and condiments for the small
est children; willie another man mt
his heels carried big sack of coal
on his buck.
At sight of the bread, the chil,lren
screamed with delight, while the
officer now laughed. now coughed,
aud frequently applied his handker-
chief to his face to wipe off the per-
spiration, as it were.
While LENA cut up large .lices of
bread. and helped tue children and
herself, the two men set to work
and made II large fire in the stove,
the glow OF which soon diffused
warmth and comfort through the
Cabin. Then they COO ed the meat
and made tea, and spread n steam
ing meal on the table for the fonr
orphans, while they carved and ut
tended to the wants of Ill until they
were fully satisfied.
Happy, happy childhood, whose
prer,gatives are innocence, mirth
and joy! The children, after din
ner, didn't Look like the same chill
dren ut all. Their faces were bright
and joyous. happy and handsome.
and in few minutes they were
playing and romping as happy rs if
they had never felt the pang of
hunger.
And now" said the officer, de-
lighted at seeing the chill,eI SO
happy, "Sit down, Lena, and ans
wer me a few questions. Have you
no father Oi mother ?"
1--WE have NO mother" was Lena's
reply. She died about a year ago.
aud father went awav to Eureka
about -lght monahs ago and We
hain't seen him ever since"
What is your fathers name9"
''Dawsun-Jim Dawson"
"And he has sent you no money
-nothing?"
Nothing. Never heard OF him
since he went away. Bnt when he |
WAS going he left us u bag of -four
and lots Of groceries and ti'ings-as
much as would last us for six |
months. and said he'd be sure and
be back before the provisions were
all out"
'And you got no letter from him
mt alp"
Not one" replied Lena, with
deep sigh.
Poor Dawson bad writ en- to his
children. however, but postal COM
munic .tion being at that tune very
irregular and uncertain in the Sill
yer State, the children did not re-
ceive mis- letters.
"Well. l must go now" s.il the
officer, after pause. ''5ut I will
call for you tomorrow, and you'll
have to accompany me np to the
police station. for I must do my
duty, yon know. Good Bye"
Aud Lena Dawson was left alone
with her brother and sisters. she
felt sad an,l lonesome utter the de.
partnre Of her kind bens:nctos, but
the buoyancy of childnond 500.
gained the ascendancy. and before
bedtime the orphans were rs happy
Ms any group Of little children in
Virginia City.
In the mcantime, the report
about the stealing of the bread aud
the destitute condition Of the chill
lren got abroad. jim Dawson, u
miner himself. was well known and
popular among the miners, aud the
:ase created much sympathy nnd
Sd many commentaries that
unite a crowd was attracted ill.,.
next day to the police court. |,
Judge Muses. presided. He bore
he name uf being upright and
kind aud benevolent. and il .
Ia had II fault ut nli. it was thonght
. be somewhat uncomprnmising in |
lie rigorous discharge Of his Off. l.
.ial duties. 1t was hard to see how {
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