Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-02-23

I After the transaction of some preliminary
business the case was called. The baker
swore to the stealing of the bread, and iden-
tilted the defendant as the thief. The of
ficer testified to the furnishing condition in
which he 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 deprecating look.
al declare TO the Almighty, Jedge," said
he, al never knew the state of Jim Daw-
sons children, and If did"
He dropped twenty into Lena's trembling
hand.
"You Jest knowed as much about 1t as
other folks" exclaimed another miner, ex-
citedly, walking up and putting another
twenty into the girls hand, with an indig-
nant air that flung back any latent suspi-
cion that he knew anything of the children's
distress any more than anybody else.
Here Long Alec, miner--so called on ac
count of his height and size-slid timidly
and bashfully up to Lena's side.
"Leeny," he said; in half whisper,
"hod yer pinafore," and he slipped two
twenties into her apron, and then slid back
a
his hat to his face, glanced timidly around
to see that he was completely out OF sight.
Then came Wabbling Joe, who was far
more bashful than even Long Alec, but put
on bold face, and laughed and talked loud
to make believe that he was not bashful at
all.
"Jedge cried Wabbling Joe, laughing
and nodding Familiarity at the court, to dis
arm that functionary of possible rigor in the
trial of the case in hand" Jedge, let the
girl slide. She amt done nuthin' but what
you or / would do if we was hungry"
And poor Lena was once more the re-
cipient of another present.
The court held down his head and smiled
gravely at Wabbling Joe's defence of the ac-
cused, bat Immediately recovering his gray
ity, said;
Gentlemen, appreciate your liberality
and generous sympathy for the young of
fender, 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 of
the court for the sad condition of the
accused, there is public duty to be per-
formed, and the case must therefore pro-
ceed."
"What is your name, my girl 2" asked the
court.
"They call me Lena Dawson, sir" was
the reply.
"Call you Lena Dawsonl And suppose
Lena Dawson is your name, is it not Z" OBJ.
served the judge.
"No, sir, it amt" returned the girl. "My
father died when | 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.
ain Kansas City, sir" was the reply.
ain Kansas City !" echoed the court in
voice of still deeper gravity than before.
" And what was your mothers maiden name,
do you know"
MADELINE Noses SIR responded Lena,
Madeline Moses My God my God
She was my sister !"
And Judge Moses overcome with emotion,
bowed his head on the desk, while a torrent
of tears flowed down his face.
just as the crowd, in obedience to the die
tates of delicacy, were emerging from the
police court, TO let uncle and niece indulge
the sacred joy of mutual recognition, Jim
Dawson appeared at the door, having Just |
returned from his prospecting tour in Eu-
reka, and with an innate sense of propriety |
that did honor to his acquaintance, who |
were all rejoiced to see him, was quietly per-
nitted to join his relatives inside.-.Selected. |