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


see to 1t that his customers larders he
properly 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
customers house with an armful of
bread, a girl fifteen years of age
emerged from miners cabin close by,
and first casting wild and hurried
glances 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 a charge of theft. The girl with
out any attempt at 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 a 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 children-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
ering and recent tears; while Willie,
the youngest, was crying and inap-
peasable, mOping aimlessly 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
girl2 asked the officer. At mention of
the word bread, little Willie looked
tearfully and piteously in the mans
face. The girl Rugged 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 himl
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
at all in the house? said he.
No coal, no bread, nothing at all to
eatl cried the girl, wringiug 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 a short
time.
Has the man gone for bread? asked
the oldest of the children.
Hush, MOllie dearl said Lena. /
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-
ments for the smallest children; while
other man at his heels carried 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 cf which soon DIFF
fused warmth and comfort through
the cabin. Then they cooked the
meat, and made tea, and spread a
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 joyl
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 few
minutes they were playing, and laugh
ing, and romping, as happy as if they
had never felt the pangs of hunger.
And now, said the officer, delighted
to see the children so happy, sit down
Lena and answer ME few questions.
Have you no father or mother?
We have no mother, was Lena's re-
ply. She died about year ago, and
father went away tie Eureka, 10 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
he went away. But when he was going
he left us a bag of flour, and lots of
'roceries and things as much as would
last us for six months, and he'd be sure
to be back before the provisions were
all out
And you have get no letter from him
at all?
Not one, replied Lena, with a deep
sigh.
Poor DAVIS L 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 go now, said the officer
after 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
ascendsncy, and before bedtime the
orphans were IS 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, 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 a 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