Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-03-01

did not return until after that gentle
mans death. The first intimation he
had of it, was when be called at the
house on his return and founa every
thing changed - strange faces and
strange furniture, and he could get no
information as to the whereabouts oil
Mimic and the rest Of the family. He
had sought in vain for some tidings oil
them and had arrived at the conclusive
that they had left the city. He had
not given UP all hope, and was only
awaiting favorable opportunity when
business would permit to make a long
search foI the object of his love.
Minnie. whose handsome face, per-
feet form, elegant and graceful carriage
had attracted the attention of more
than one gentleman, who had asked
for Der hand, had remained true to her
first and only love, though she thought
he was gone from her forever. The
landlord of the miserable tenement
house in which she lived had pressed
his attentions upon her; she, without
acting rude had done everything in her
power to repel him. She had lad a
hard struggle to pay her rent promptly,
and all the little articles Of Jew elry ex-
cept the ring mentioned had gone to-
wards paying him, as she did not wish
to get herself into his power, and she
now thought it would be better to
pawn the ring than to get behind in the
rent.
Occupied with her thoughts she had
now arrived at her door. Up three
flights back she went, and found her
mother even worse than sac mad left
her and moaning on account of hun
ger. Little Jamie said that it was
Christmas eve, and he hoped Santa
Claus would bring them lots of good
things to eat, and something warm to
wear"
With an almost breaking heart Min
ME got the room into something like or
der though to be sure there was very
little in the way of furniture in it, and,
after sending Maud out after a loaf of
bread. took 3 mouthful or two herself,
and divided the remainder between the
others. She then went down stairs,
meeting the landlord in the entry way,
She had not the courage to ask him to
take half the rent, but hurriedly gave
it all to him, and ran out upon the
street to avoid con versing with him.
With a heavy heart and tears in her
eyes she entered one of the many
pawn-broker's shops on Salem street
and offered her ring. The Jew gave
her not half Of what she expected for
1t, but she could not refuse, so, with a
last fond look at the dear ring, she left
the place and hurried toward the mar
ket.
Turning down Blackstone street,
busy with thoughts of Frank Johnston,
and the night when he had placed the
ring on her finger, she did not notice
that she was followed by a rough look
ing man, who, just in the shadow be-
tween two gqshghts, seized her by the
arm and said
Good eYening, Miss, you had better
take little walk with me-"
Minnie uttered a little scream and
exclaimed:
"Release me, instantly or will call
the policel"
The man laughed and said
what will be doing all this time?
Do you think the cops are around on
such a night as this2 You can bet your
life they amt. So come along my
beauty" Trying to force her along.
Minnie screamed outright, and, as
she did so, young man rushed up,
and seized the rough by the throat,
drew him away from the trembling
girl and threw him to the pavement.
Quite little crowd had gathered;
with the peculiar characteristics of the
north end inhabitants, whose curiosity
is not aroused. by struggle between a
man and woman, but at the prospect
of a fight between two men they are all
alive and right to the spot. The young
man however did not notice them, and.
as the rough had skunk away telling of
his sore bones, he turned to Minnie
saying:
"Will you allow me to escort you to
your home"
''Thank you sir, replied Minnie "but
/ was Just going to the market whem
that man spoke to me. How can [
thank yoa sufficiently for your timely
act?"
"By saying nothing more about it."
said the young man, land if-why
great Heaven! it is Minnie Minnie
don't you know me? | am Frank"
Poor Minnie grew faint and allowed
herself ~ be drawn close to his side for
amoment, then trying to push him
away, she said:
Eyes Frank do know you now.
But, Frank, you seem to forget the
change in our positions. am only q
poor saleswoman now, and"
"Say not another word about that
my darling. l care not what you are
so long as have found you again.
shall never let you go, now"
They walked on toward the market,
and Frank told her of his fruitless
search for her, how he had intended to
prosecute it even more thoroughly
how he had pray ed for their meeting
once more, and now that meeting had
come.
Minnie who loved him as dearly rs he
did her, could not resist his earnest
pleading, and told lin her whole story
how poor they were, how she had
struggled during the past two years,
and how Jamie and her mother were