Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-11-11
THE JTDGE's SURPRISE.

The day was bitterly cold in Virginia
City, as winter days most generally
are in that Alpine town, and though the
sun was bright, its rays were as cheer
lesa and chill almost AZ moonbeams.
Wild gusts whistled through the streets,
breathing icicles and frost in their furi-
GUS course and driving every living
thing away to seek shelter from its bit
ing, penetrating breath. And yet not
every one was housed and sheltered
from the pitlless gale for he who had
work to do or business to transact was
summoned by memorable duty to come
forth % his post, or else, when the day
OF reckoning came, abide by the con-
sequences. OF these luckless excep-
tions, Abe Denning the baker was one.
In sunshine Or storm, hail, rain or
snow, people must eat; eat, in fact, all
the more voraciously because it did
hail or snow, as if TO penetrate an UNI
eeasonable Joke upon the baker, who,
especially IN appetizlng weather, must
see To it that his customers larders be
properly stored with the rarest and best
productions Of ms oven.
Even such cold weather as this did
not deter Mr.. Denning from attending
to the wants Of his customers with the
aaaiduity and attention characteristic
Of his class While disappearing into
il customers house with IN armful Of
bread, il girl fifteen years Of age
emerged from miners cabin close bv.
and first casting wild and hurried
chances around her, rushed to the
bakers cart, and had Just distracted
thcrGfrom three loaves Of bread, and
WIS carrying them oil, 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 II charge Of theft. The girl with
ont any attempt ut expostnlation or
explanation, burst into an agony OF
tears-a sufficient evidence, after all
III the art Of stealing.
OH! she exclaimed, Don't take me in
this way. Letme wrap IL 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 he would be
ii court next day To prefer the charr,
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 ewes
and faces which bore evidence of suff-
erlng and recent tears; while Willie.
the youngest, was crying and map
peasable, moping aimlessly around the
cabin, looking into the empty closet,
and putting his little hands mechani-
cally III the empty dishes on the table.
What made sou steal the bread, nv
girl? asked the officer. At mention of
the word bread, little Willie looked
teariully and pitcously III the mans
tace. The girl nugged tile little fellow
frantlcally IN her arms, covering him
with tears and kisses.
oh, my poor little brotherl she cried
bitterly What viii become Of you
nnw2 the man is going 70 take your
Lena away with himl
Here the child threw his arms
around her neck, rs if To detain her
~ force, while the other two children
screamed piteously.
The officer, suspeciing the actual
state Of affairs began to investigate.
II there ne coal, or nothing To eat
N al ii tile house? said he.
No conf, 40 bread, nothing ut all to
eat! cried the girl, wringng her hands;
md poor Willie and the rest of us have
Ind nothing 70 eat since yesterday
morning
Here tile officer went away saving
that he would be back again in short
time
Has the man gone for bread9 asked
the oldest of the children.
Hush, Mollic dear said Lena
don't know what ne has gone for. He
4 not 4 bad man, anyhow. for he
hasn't arrested me, Ms | thought he
would
In 4 very few minutes the officer re-
turned with some bread and groceries.
not forgetting some cakes and condi.
ments for tie smallest children, while
another man 1T his heels carried i big
sack " coal on his back.
At sight of the bread the children
screamed with delight, and while Lena
mt np large slices Of bread, and helped
the children and herself, the two men
set 70 work and made large fire in
the stove, the glow ef which soon DIFF
fused warmth and comfort throurb
the cabin Then they cooked the
meat, and made tea, and spread !
steaming meal upon the table for the
four orphans, while they carved and
attended u their wants till they were
fully satisfied
Happy, happy childhood, whose pre-
egativcs are innocence. mirth and lovl
The children. after their dinner. didn't
look ike the same children at ALL
Thor faces We're bright and Joyous
happy and handsome; and in few
they were playing, and laugh
ing, and romping. rs happy as if they
had never felt the pangs Of hunger.
And now, said the officer, delighted
% SEE the children 80 happy, sit down
Lena and answer ME few questions.
Have You no father or mother9
We have no mother. was Lena's re-
ply She died anout wear syo ana
iather Went away te Eureka, 10 work.
about eight months ago. and We amt
seen him ever since.
What y Your fathers name?
Dawson--lim Dawson.
And he has sent you no money
Nothing. Never heard of him since
he went away. But when he was going
he left us 4 bag of Hour, and lots Of
! roceries and things as much rs would
last us for six months. and he'd be sure
70 be back before the provisions were
al out.
And You have set no letter from him
at all?
Not one, replied Lena, with deep
sigh
Poor DAVIS L had written 10 his chill
dren, however, but postal communica-
lion being st that time very irregular
and uncertain in the Silver State, the
did not receive his letters.
Well, must 90 now, said the officer
after pause, but will call for you to-
morrow, and you will have to accom-
pany me 10 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 benefsctor. but the buoyancy
OF the children soon gained the
and before bedtime the